The shop is glowing, the staff is smiling, and the gold chain feels heavy and right in your hand. But the only thing that tells you what is actually inside it is a tiny stamp most buyers never look at.
Dhanteras falls on Friday, 6 November 2026, and jewellers will be packed. Here is how to check a gold hallmark and HUID before you pay: what the marks mean, how to verify them on your phone, and what to do if something looks wrong.
What marks should you see on hallmarked gold jewellery?
The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) says gold jewellery carries three hallmark components: the BIS Standard Mark, the purity or caratage and fineness, and a six-digit alphanumeric HUID. HUID stands for Hallmarking Unique ID, a code that is unique to each article.
How do you check HUID on the BIS Care app?
BIS says the HUID can be verified through the Verify HUID feature of the BIS Care app, and that this gives information about the jeweller's registration number. The same brief says a photograph and automatically captured weight of hallmarked gold articles, deployed from 8 June 2026, is also available on the app for consumers to verify before sale.
- Install the BIS Care app on your phone before you go to the shop.
- Open it and choose Verify HUID.
- Type in the 6-character code stamped on the jewellery.
- Check that the details shown match the piece and the shop.
If the code shows no record, do not buy that piece until the jeweller explains it.
Which gold purities are covered, and what do the numbers mean?
The BIS brief says the mandatory framework covers seven caratages: 9K, 14K, 18K, 20K, 22K, 23K and 24K, with minimum fineness values of 375, 585, 750, 833, 916, 958 and 995 parts per thousand. In simple words, pure gold is 24 carat, so 22K means 22 parts of 24 are gold. Fineness says the same thing out of 1,000.
Is hallmarking compulsory everywhere, and what is exempt?
Not everywhere. Mandatory hallmarking is rolled out district by district, and BIS says it now covers 392 districts, as per the latest amendment dated 3 August 2026. Business Standard reports that the revised list spans 26 states and Union territories. Since 1 April 2023, only HUID-hallmarked jewellery is to be sold by BIS-registered jewellers.
Some items are exempt. BIS lists, among others, gold articles below 2 grams, Kundan, Polki and Jadau articles, and gold bullion. Jewellers below a turnover limit are also outside the rule; BIS's FAQ (in Hindi) puts that at Rs 40 lakh a year.
That matters on Dhanteras, when many people buy coins and bars. BIS says gold and silver bullion and coins are marked at the manufacturing stage by licensed refineries and mints, so a coin may not look like hallmarked jewellery. Buy from a trusted seller and ask for a bill that states the weight and purity.
What about silver on Dhanteras?
Silver hallmarking is voluntary. BIS says HUID-based silver hallmarking was introduced on a voluntary basis from 1 September 2025, but any silver article submitted for hallmarking must carry the HUID-based hallmark. A silver hallmark has three parts: the BIS Standard Mark with the word SILVER, the purity grade, and a six-digit HUID. The current standard specifies eight purity grades: 800, 835, 900, 925, 958, 970, 990 and 999.
For hallmarked silver, the Ministry of Consumer Affairs said the BIS Care app shows the article type, purity grade, hallmarking date, testing centre and jeweller registration number. Because hallmarking is voluntary, a shop may still sell silver without it. In that case you have no independent proof of purity, so ask for a hallmarked piece if purity matters to you.
What is a quick checklist before you pay?
- See all three marks on the piece. BIS says registered jewellers must keep a 10X magnifying glass at the outlet, so ask for it.
- Verify the HUID in the BIS Care app while you are still at the counter.
- Check that your invoice shows the article description, net precious-metal weight, purity and fineness, and hallmarking charges separately. BIS says the invoice must also mention that you can get the purity verified at any BIS-recognised Assaying and Hallmarking Centre.
- For coins and bars, ask for a bill that states weight and purity.
What if the purity is lower than what you were told?
- Get it tested. Take the piece to a BIS-recognised Assaying and Hallmarking Centre and ask for the current testing charge.
- Complain. BIS says you can complain through the BIS Care app, the complaint portal on bis.gov.in, or by email to complaints@bis.gov.in.
- Know your compensation. If purity falls short, BIS Rules provide for compensation of two times the amount of the purity shortfall for the weight sold, plus the testing charges.
For price trends before you buy, see our gold and silver rate update and Gold Price Today in India 2026. Festive shopping has a food side too, so read How to Check Fake Khoya and Mithai before you buy sweets.
Is HUID mandatory on gold jewellery?
Yes. Only HUID-hallmarked jewellery is to be sold by BIS-registered jewellers, and mandatory hallmarking applies in the notified districts.
Can I sell my old unhallmarked gold jewellery?
Yes. BIS says consumers can sell old jewellery, hallmarked or not, to jewellers.
Does the hallmark expire?
No. BIS says the hallmark is valid for the entire lifetime of the jewellery.
How many characters is a HUID?
Six, made of letters and numbers.
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This article is general information, not legal or financial advice. Hallmarking rules, grades and district lists change, so confirm the latest on bis.gov.in before you buy.
