The purchase of gold in India is a choice. It could be that you’re buying jewelry made of gold to wear for your wedding, buying gold coins for investment or buying gold to run an online jewelry store. The answer is the BIS certificate that identifies this gold stamp.
In 2021, the government made it mandatory for gold-based jewelry in India to bear BIS hallmarks. This was a way to protect consumers. Every piece of jewelry created out of gold and purchased by licensed jewelers has to have a BIS hallmark. Each hallmark has the HUID number, which can be used to determine if the gold is authentic.
India, this guide will tell you everything about BIS hallmarking. You will learn what BIS hallmarking is and what the symbols on the hallmark mean and how to use the HUID number and how jewelers can get BIS hallmark certification for their gold business. The guide will explain gold hallmarks and BIS certificates and what they mean to people who buy gold in India, especially for people who buy gold jewelry.
What Is a BIS Certificate for Gold Hallmark?
BIS is a certification program that is administered through the Bureau of Indian Standards that assures the purity of jewelry. A BIS stamp on a gold product proves that it was tested by a recognized BIS assaying and hallmarking center and is in compliance with established purity standards.
Why Was It Made Mandatory?
There was a lot of gold purity fraud in India before the mandatory hallmarking. Jewelry sold as 22-karat can be less pure than stated. BIS’s mandatory marking will end this practice by requiring independent third-party testing of all gold jewelry sold within India.
Gold Hallmark Symbols: What Do They Mean?
Every BIS hallmarked gold item carries specific marks. Here is what each symbol means:
| Symbol | Meaning |
| BIS Logo | Triangle-shaped mark—confirms BIS certification |
| Purity / Fineness | 999, 995, 916, 875, 750, 585—indicates gold purity in parts per thousand |
| HUID Number | 6-character alphanumeric code—unique to each piece of jewellery |
Common Gold Purity Standards
| Hallmark Number | Karat | Purity |
| 999 | 24 Karat | 99.9% pure |
| 995 | 24 Karat | 99.5% pure |
| 916 | 22 Karat | 91.6% pure |
| 750 | 18 Karat | 75% pure |
| 585 | 14 Karat | 58.5% pure |
| 375 | 9 Karat | 37.5% pure |
Most gold jewelry sold in India is 22 karat (916). If your jewelry shows 916 with a BIS logo and HUID, it is genuine 22-karat gold.
What Is an HUID Number?
HUID stands for Hallmark Unique Identification Number. It’s a 6-character alphanumeric code that is stamped on each piece of BIS jewelry that is hallmarked with gold. The number is recorded on BIS’s central database. BIS central database, and it links each piece of jewelry:
The jeweler who sold it:
- The jeweller who sold it
- The A&H centre that tested it
- The purity grade of the item
- The date of hallmarking
HUID is your most powerful tool for verifying gold authenticity. No two pieces of jewelry have the same HUID—it is completely unique, like a fingerprint for your gold.
How to Check BIS Certificate for Gold Hallmark Using HUID Number
Verifying your gold hallmark is simple and takes less than a minute. Here are two ways:
Method 1 — BIS Care App (Recommended)
- Download the BIS Care app from Google Play Store or Apple App Store
- Open the app and tap on “Verify Hallmark.”
- Enter the 6-character HUID number printed on your jewellery
- Tap Search—details of the jewellery will appear instantly
The app shows you the jeweler’s name, A&H center, purity grade, and hallmarking date. If the HUID is not found, the jewelry is not genuinely BIS hallmarked.
Method 2 — BIS Official Website
- Visit www.bis.gov.in
- Go to the Hallmarking section
- Enter the HUID number in the verification tool
- Check the results
What to Do If HUID Is Not Found
- The jewellery may be fake or fraudulently hallmarked
- Report it to BIS or your local consumer court
- Do not accept the jewellery without genuine verification
How Jewellers Get BIS Hallmark Certification
If you are a jeweler looking to sell BIS hallmarked gold, here is the process:
Step 1—Apply for BIS Jeweller Registration
Register on the BIS portal (manak.bis.gov.in) as a jeweler. Submit your business details, GST certificate, shop address proof, and PAN card.
Step 2 — Pay Registration Fee
BIS charges a registration fee based on your business size. The fee ranges from ₹1,500 to ₹25,000 depending on the number of outlets.
Step 3—Get Jewellery Hallmarked at A&H Centre
Submit your gold jewelry to a BIS-recognized Assaying and Hallmarking (A&H) center near you. The center tests purity and stamps the BIS hallmark with HUID on each piece.
Step 4—Sell Hallmarked Jewellery
Once hallmarked, your jewelry is ready for sale. Every piece carries a unique HUID registered in the BIS database.
Documents Required for Jeweller BIS Registration
- GST registration certificate
- Shop establishment certificate
- PAN card of the firm
- Address proof of the shop
- Passport-size photo of the proprietor/director
BIS Hallmark Certification: Timeline and Cost for Jewellers
| Component | Details |
| Registration Fee | ₹1,500 – ₹25,000 (based on outlets) |
| Hallmarking Charge per piece | ₹35 – ₹45 per piece at A&H centre |
| Registration Processing Time | 15 – 30 days |
| Certificate Validity | 5 years (renewable) |
Common Mistakes Gold Buyers Make
| Mistake | How to Avoid |
| Not checking HUID at time of purchase | Always verify HUID on BIS Care app before buying |
| Trusting hallmark without BIS logo | Look for BIS triangle logo—fake hallmarks often miss this |
| Accepting old hallmark format jewellery | Post-2021 jewellery must have HUID—the older format is not enough |
| Not keeping purchase invoice | Always take a bill mentioning HUID number |
| Buying from unlicensed jewellers | Check the jeweler’s BIS license number before purchasing |
Benefits of BIS Gold Hallmark
For Gold Buyers
- Guaranteed purity—what is stamped is what you get
- Easy resale—hallmarked gold is accepted everywhere at full value
- Legal protection—you can file complaint if purity is wrong
- Instant verification—HUID check takes less than 60 seconds
For Jewellers
- Legal compliance—mandatory for all licensed gold jewellers
- Consumer trust—hallmarked jewellery sells faster and at better prices
- Reduced disputes—purity is third-party verified, not self-declared
- Business credibility—BIS registration builds long-term brand reputation
Conclusion
The BIS certificate for the gold hallmark is the most reliable guarantee of gold purity in India. Whether you are a buyer wanting to protect your investment or a jeweler wanting to build consumer trust, BIS hallmarking is non-negotiable.
Always check the HUID number using the BIS Care app before buying gold. And if you are a jeweler looking to get BIS hallmark registration done quickly and correctly, ELT Corporate Pvt Ltd provides end-to-end BIS certification support across India.
FAQ‘s
Q1. Do you require BIS certifications for any gold jewelry being sold by India?
From July 2021 onwards the jewelry made from gold sold in India through authorized jewelry stores must be BIS-certified.
Q2. What is the HUID number found on gold jewelry?
The HUID code is a unique 6-character code that appears on each BIS-hallmarked gold piece. The BIS database links the jewelry with its purity records.
Q3. How can I verify a gold mark using HUID?
Enter the HUID and the BIS Care App, then tap on “Verify Hallmark” to check the details.
Q4. What does the 916 mark on gold mean?
916 This is 91.6% pure 22-karat gold. In India, the purest gold is used for jewelry.
Q5. Jewelers can sell their gold in the absence of a BIS mark?
No. In India selling jewelry made of gold without BIS marks is illegal. A BIS mark is illegal and can result in penalties and fines in accordance with the BIS Act 2016. BIS Act 2016.
