BIS Hallmark & HUID: How to Check If Your Gold Is Genuine — AT Jewels

27 September 2026 — a Sunday read from our counter to yours. Today, the one question every gold buyer should be able to answer for themselves: how do you know your gold is really gold? Here's the plain-English guide to the BIS hallmark and the HUID number.

What a BIS hallmark actually is

A hallmark is not a sticker or a brand — it's an official certification, laser-etched onto the piece, that the gold has been independently tested and meets the purity it claims. It is issued under the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS), the Government of India's standards body. Gold hallmarking is now mandatory across most of the country, so a hallmark isn't a premium feature you pay extra for; it's your basic right as a buyer. Think of it as the gold's identity card: it doesn't make the piece more beautiful, but it guarantees that what you're paying for is what you're getting.

The three marks to look for

Under the current scheme, a genuine hallmark has exactly three parts, usually stamped close together and readable under a jeweller's loupe:

1. The BIS logo — a small triangle. This is the mark of the Bureau of Indian Standards itself.
2. The purity / fineness grade — a three-digit number that states the karatage: 999 for 24K, 916 for 22K, 750 for 18K, 585 for 14K. You'll often see it written as "22K916" or "18K750".
3. The 6-digit HUID — the Hallmark Unique Identification code, a mix of letters and numbers (for example, "AZ4567"). This code is unique to your specific piece, like a chassis number on a car.

If you were shown gold years ago with four marks (including an assaying-centre logo and a jeweller's mark), that was the older format. The current three-mark format, built around the HUID, is what applies today.

How to verify the HUID in two minutes

This is the part most buyers don't know they can do — and it's the single most powerful check available to you. Download the free BIS CARE app from the Play Store or App Store. Open it, choose the "Verify HUID" option, and type in the 6-digit code from your jewellery. Within seconds it will show you the registered jeweller, the purity of the item, the type of article and the date it was hallmarked. If those details match the piece in your hand, you have real confirmation from the source. If the code doesn't exist in the system, or the details don't match, that's a red flag worth raising immediately.

Purity codes, decoded

The three-digit number tells you how much of the metal is actually gold, out of 1000 parts. 999 means 99.9% pure (24K, usually for coins and bars rather than everyday jewellery). 916 means 91.6% pure — this is 22K, the classic choice for Indian gold jewellery. 750 is 18K (75% gold), popular for diamond and studded pieces because the alloy is more durable. 585 is 14K (58.5% gold), which is why much of fine diamond jewellery — including many of our own studded pieces — is set in 14K: it holds stones securely and wears beautifully. A lower karat isn't "worse"; it's simply a different balance of purity and strength for the job the piece has to do.

Your rights, and what to do if something's off

As a buyer you are entitled to ask for and receive a proper hallmark, and to see the HUID on your invoice. If a piece has no hallmark, if the HUID won't verify on BIS CARE, or if the marked purity doesn't match what you were told, you are within your rights to decline the purchase and, if needed, to raise a complaint with BIS. A trustworthy jeweller will never hesitate to let you check — in fact, the good ones encourage it. At AT Jewels, every gold piece is hallmarked, and we're always happy to hand you a loupe and walk you through the marks in person before you decide.

This weekend's featured pieces

A few hallmarked favourites from our Gold & Diamond collection — each independently certified, so you can buy with the same confidence we've just described.

Rose Gold Diamond Earrings (0.49ct)From ₹51,495★★★★★14K rose gold, VVS-VS diamonds — a refined everyday sparkle. Yellow Gold Diamond Ring (0.44ct)From ₹36,425★★★★★14K yellow gold — a classic ring for engagements and gifting. Rose Gold Diamond Earrings (1.55ct)From ₹1,15,500★★★★★A statement pair for weddings and special occasions. Yellow Gold Diamond Pendant (0.33ct)From ₹21,745★★★★★A versatile pendant that dresses up any chain. Yellow Gold Diamond Pendant (0.18ct)From ₹19,548★★★★★Delicate daily-wear sparkle at an accessible price. Rose Gold Diamond Pendant (0.05ct)From ₹7,984★★★★★A sweet, budget-friendly first diamond piece or gift.

Why buyers love these: Every piece is hallmarked and independently certified, so the purity you see is the purity you get. They span everyday sparkle to statement occasion pieces, and the 14K settings are chosen to hold diamonds securely for years of real wear.

Frequently asked

How do I check if my gold is BIS hallmarked?
Look for three marks on the piece: the BIS triangle logo, a purity grade (like 916 or 750), and a 6-digit HUID code. Then verify that HUID for free in the BIS CARE app, which shows the registered jeweller, purity and date it was marked.

What is a HUID number on gold?
HUID stands for Hallmark Unique Identification — a 6-digit alphanumeric code unique to each hallmarked item. Since 1 April 2023, gold jewellery in India can only be sold with a HUID, and it lets any buyer trace and verify the piece.

Is hallmarking of gold jewellery mandatory in India?
Yes. BIS hallmarking of gold jewellery is mandatory across most of the country, so genuine gold sold to you should carry a valid hallmark and HUID. Silver hallmarking, by contrast, is currently voluntary.

— Nitin Bardia / AT Jewels