Buying gold in India is a huge financial and emotional choice.
Whether you are buying gold jewelry for a wedding, financing, gifts, or personal use, checking the characteristics of gold can be essential.
As of 2026, hallmarking continues to be strictly enforced, with BIS regularly updating compliance guidelines to protect consumers.
A characteristic can confirm the purity and authenticity of gold jewelry. Gold marking is managed through the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS), the national standards body responsible for exceptional certification and consumer safety in India.
What is Hallmarking of Gold?
Hallmarking is the official process of certifying the purity and beauty of gold jewelry. In India, hallmarking is regulated and supervised by the National Standards Bodies Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS).
- Before Hallmarking: Buyers often had to rely on the word of a jeweller.
- Now: BIS Hallmarking ensures legal certification and assurance of quality.
Since 16 June 2021, Hallmarking has been made mandatory across India.
Want to set up a BIS Hallmark Center or get BIS Hallmark Certification? We provide expert consultancy and end-to-end assistance.
What Are The Types Of Hallmark On Gold Jewellery?
There are mainly two types of hallmarks on gold jewellery:
- Stamps
- Laser
Stamps Hallmark
Stamps are the traditional way to do hallmark on gold jewellery. In this process, the hallmark is sealed into the gold jewellery which indicates its purity and accuracy. However, it wasn’t a great way for labeling as stamps on gold resulted in the deforming and hollowing of the jewellery.
Laser Hallmark
Laser hallmark is a modern way to do hallmarking on gold jewellery. Compared to Stamps hallmark, Laser hallmarking is the most suitable way as it doesn’t damage jewellery at all. However, the only drawback of this process is when any jewellery needs to be resized. For resizing, the hallmark has to be polished and must be returned to the Assay office for restoring the Hallmark.
How To Read Gold Hallmarkings?
To read and how to check gold hallmark in India there are three symbols you need to check before purchasing any gold products. Such as the BIS logo, purity mark, and 6-digit alphanumeric code, however, we’ve explained in detail below:
- Find BIS Logo: for checking hallmark on gold look for the BIS mark on the jewellery before buying it. The BIS logo means the gold jewellery is certified, authentic, and high-quality as it is the only organization in India that manages the Hallmark scheme.
- Check Purity Mark: find the purity mark on the gold which shows karat, to check gold hallmark authenticity. Karat such as 14K, 18 K, 22K, etc shows the purity grades of gold.
- 6-Digit Alphanumeric Code: search for the Hallmark Unique Identification (HUID) consisting of a 6-digit alphanumeric code given to every jewellery piece. This alphanumeric code is important for tracking and verifying the gold hallmark.
Gold jewellery comes in different purities which are indicated by karats (K) and fineness. Here’s how to interpret them:
- 14K Gold (14K585): 58.5% pure gold, 41.5% other metals.
- 18K Gold (18K750): 75% pure gold, 25% alloy.
- 20K Gold: 83.3% pure gold, 16.7% alloy
- 22K Gold (22K916): 91.6% pure gold, 8.4% alloy.
- 23K Gold: 95.8% pure gold, 4.2% alloy. Nearly pure gold, rarely used due to its softness.
- 24K Gold: 99.9% pure gold, the purest form available.
By following the above-mentioned ways you can easily verify hallmark on gold jewellery or any other gold product.
Want to verify if your gold business is BIS-compliant? Contact us for an expert consultation.
Why Should You Buy Hallmarked Gold Jewellery?
There are several reasons why you should purchase Hallmarked Gold jewellery, which we’ve listed below:
- Guaranteed Purity: The BIS hallmark ensures the gold is genuine and pure which gives confidence in your purchase.
- Full Value on Sale: Hallmarked jewellery maintains its full value whenever you sell it. Therefore, Hallmarked Gold will provide you with a fair price.
- Higher Loan Value: You can get a higher loan amount on hallmarked gold up to 75% of its value, as permitted by RBI.
- Easy Recognition: The hallmark makes it easy to distinguish between real and fake gold, accepted and trusted nationwide.
- Low Cost of Hallmarking: The fees for hallmarking are minimal and often included in the final cost by the jeweller, so it doesn’t significantly raise the price.
- Standardization: Mandatory hallmarking helps organize and standardize the gold industry, ensuring consistent purity levels across the market.
Hallmarking Charges in India (2026)
Hallmarking charges in India are regulated by BIS and are generally minimal compared to the value of the gold itself. As of 2026, hallmarking typically costs around ₹35 to ₹45 per piece, regardless of the weight or value of the jewelry. This charge is usually included in the final bill by the jeweler and does not significantly affect the overall cost of your purchase.
Since the fee is standardized, buyers should be cautious if a jeweler quotes an unusually high hallmarking charge—this could be a red flag for non-standard practices.
Karat vs Purity of Gold: Explained with Comparison Table
| Gold Karat (K) | Purity (%) | Fineness | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| 24K | 99.9% | 999 | Purest form of gold, very soft, not for daily wear |
| 23K | 95.8% | 958 | Nearly pure, rarely used due to softness |
| 22K | 91.6% | 916 | Ideal for jewellery, durable yet high in purity |
| 20K | 83.3% | 833 | Less common, moderately pure |
| 18K | 75.0% | 750 | Durable, commonly used in designer jewellery |
| 14K | 58.5% | 585 | Affordable, good for everyday wear |
| 10K | 41.7% | 417 | Lower purity, rarely used in India |
Is There Any Difference Between 916 and 22K Gold?
No, there is no difference between 22K and 916; they are the same. 916 indicates the percentage of the purity of gold, where 916 gold contains 91.6 grams of pure 24-karat gold in every 100 grams of the alloy (91.6% purity), which is why it is called 22-karat gold.
How Can I Check Gold Hallmark At Home?
To check gold hallmark authenticity at home, look for three things on the jewelry: the BIS logo, the purity/karat mark (like 22K916), and the 6-digit HUID code. You can verify these details instantly using the BIS Care app.
However, if you are not able to see the mark/stamp, use a magnifying glass for clear vision.
How Do I Check My Hallmark Gold Online?
Download the BIS Care app from the Play Store or Apple App Store to gold hallmark check online Jewellery. Install & open the app, on the home tap on the “Verify HUID” section, enter the HUID Number and search. You can now check all the details like purity, BIS logo, jeweller’s identification mark, etc.
How to verify HUID online?
You can verify the verify huid number online free (Hallmark Unique Identification) of gold jewellery online using the BIS CARE app. Here’s how:
- Download the BIS CARE App from the Google Play Store or Apple App Store.
- Register your mobile number on the app.
- Locate the 6-digit HUID stamped on your gold jewellery, usually near the BIS logo and purity mark.
- Open the app and select “Verify HUID.”
- Enter the HUID number and submit.
- The app will display details about the jewellery’s purity, the jeweller, and the hallmarking centre.
Read more: What is HUID and Why It Matters in Gold Hallmarking
What if Hallmark is missing?
If gold jewellery is missing a hallmark, its purity is not certified, which risks authenticity. In India, selling non-hallmarked gold is illegal and can lead to imprisonment up to 1 year, a fine of ₹1,00,000 or more, and seizure of the item. Some exemptions apply for small jewellers and certain types of jewellery. Always ensure gold is hallmarked to protect your investment.
Quick Tips Before Buying Gold in India
- Always demand a BIS-Hallmark piece with HUID.
- Use BIS Care App to verify before paying.
- Ask for a wide bill, referring to hallmark and purity.
- Give priority to prestigious jewelers listed on BIS website.
Penalty for Fake Hallmark on Gold in India
Under the BIS Act, 2016, selling gold with a fake hallmark is a serious offence. Penalties include:
- Imprisonment up to 1 year
- Fine of at least ₹1,00,000 or up to 5 times the value of the gold
- Seizure of fake hallmarked items and cancellation of jeweller’s license
These measures protect consumers and ensure the purity and authenticity of gold. Always verify hallmarks using the BIS Care app before purchasing.
How to File a Complaint for Fake Hallmark
If you suspect that your gold jewelry has a fake or incorrect hallmark, you can file a complaint directly with BIS through the following methods:
- BIS CARE App: Open the app, go to the “Grievance” section, and submit your complaint along with jewelry details and the HUID number (if available).
- Online Grievance Portal: Visit the BIS grievance portal at manakonline.in and file a complaint under the “Hallmarking” category.
- BIS Call Center: You can also call the BIS toll-free helpline number to register your complaint.
- Consumer Helpline: For cases involving financial loss, you can also approach the National Consumer Helpline (1915) alongside your BIS complaint.
Always keep your purchase bill and jewelry details handy when filing a complaint, as this speeds up verification and resolution.
How can I check my gold hallmark at home?
How can I check the hallmark of 22K gold online?
Why is KDM gold banned?
Is hallmarking mandatory for old or inherited gold jewelry?
No, hallmarking is not mandatory for gold jewelry that was purchased before mandatory hallmarking came into effect or is inherited. However, if you wish to sell such jewelry, getting it hallmarked at a BIS-recognized Assaying and Hallmarking Centre can help establish its purity and fetch a fair price.
