When you buy gold jewellery, the BIS (Bureau of Indian Standards) hallmark is your most reliable quality assurance. Since January 2022, hallmarking is mandatory for gold jewellery sold in India.
What Is a BIS Hallmark?
A BIS hallmark is an official certification that the gold in a piece of jewellery has been tested and meets the stated purity. It protects buyers from being sold lower-purity gold at higher-purity prices.
The Three Components of a BIS Hallmark
1. BIS Logo (Triangle Mark)
The BIS logo — a stylised triangle — indicates that the jewellery has been certified by the Bureau of Indian Standards. Without this, the other marks are meaningless.
2. Purity / Fineness Number
This is the most important number. It tells you the actual gold content:
| Number | Karat | Gold Content |
|---|
|--------|-------|--------------|
| 999 | 24K | 99.9% pure |
|---|---|---|
| 958 | 23K | 95.8% pure |
| 916 | 22K | 91.6% pure |
| 875 | 21K | 87.5% pure |
| 750 | 18K | 75.0% pure |
| 585 | 14K | 58.5% pure |
| 375 | 9K | 37.5% pure |
916 is the most common for traditional jewellery in India. 750 (18K) is popular for diamond and stone jewellery. 999 is used for coins and bars.
3. HUID (Hallmarking Unique ID)
Since 2022, every hallmarked item carries a 6-character alphanumeric HUID. You can verify your jewellery on the BIS Care app or website by entering this code. This replaced the older system of AHC code + year letter.
How to Check Your Jewellery
- Look for the BIS triangle logo — usually stamped inside a ring, on the clasp of a necklace, or on the back of a pendant
- Read the purity number next to it (916, 750, etc.)
- Note the 6-character HUID
- Verify on the BIS Care app (available on Android and iOS) or at bis.gov.in
Why This Matters Before You Pay
The price of gold jewellery is calculated as:
Final price = (Gold rate × weight × purity) + making charges + GST
If a jeweller sells you 18K gold at 22K prices, you're overpaying by around 22% on the gold component alone. The hallmark is the only independent verification available at point of sale.
Red Flags to Watch Out For
- No BIS logo at all
- Faded or unclear marks that can't be read
- Jeweller claims "our gold is certified" without showing the physical mark
- Very low prices for high karat claims
Always insist on a proper invoice that mentions karat/fineness, weight, making charges, and HUID. This is your legal protection if there's a dispute.