Everything You Need to Know About BIS Hallmarking in India

In a country like India, where gold is not just a metal but an emotion, ensuring its authenticity is crucial. Whether you're buying a wedding necklace, a timeless solitaire ring, or a family heirloom, BIS hallmarking plays a vital role in guaranteeing purity and trust.

In this blog, we’ll explain what BIS hallmarking means, why it’s important, and what to look for when buying fine jewellery in India.

What is BIS Hallmarking?
BIS hallmarking is a certification issued by the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS), the national standards body of India. It verifies the purity of precious metals like gold and silver used in jewellery.

Introduced in 2000, this system ensures that the precious metal content in the jewellery matches the declared fineness. In simpler terms, BIS hallmarking assures you’re getting exactly what you pay for — no more, no less.

Why is BIS Hallmarking Important?
Purity Assurance:
It provides a guarantee of purity and fineness in karats (e.g., 22K, 18K, 14K).

Consumer Protection:
It protects customers from being cheated with under-karated jewellery.

Legal Requirement:
As of June 2021, hallmarking has been mandatory in India for gold jewellery and artefacts in a phased manner across districts.

Resale Confidence:
Hallmarked jewellery typically fetches better resale value due to assured purity.

What Does a BIS Hallmark Look Like?
When you buy a BIS hallmarked gold jewellery piece, look for the following four marks:

BIS Logo: Indicates that the item has been certified by BIS.

Purity/Fineness Grade:
For example:

22K916 = 91.6% purity

18K750 = 75.0% purity

14K585 = 58.5% purity

Assaying & Hallmarking Centre’s Mark:
Unique identification mark of the BIS-approved lab that tested the piece.

✅ Note: Post-2021, the hallmark includes a 6-digit alphanumeric HUID (Hallmark Unique Identification) — a unique code laser-etched on each item for traceability.

Which Jewellery Needs BIS Hallmarking?
Mandatory BIS hallmarking applies to:

Gold jewellery and artefacts (in 22K, 18K, and 14K only)

Silver articles (in 999, 925, 875, 800 fineness levels)

Custom pieces or studded jewellery must also comply with hallmarking standards unless explicitly exempted under special cases.

How to Check for BIS Hallmarking
You can verify BIS hallmark status via The BIS Care App (Available on Android & iOS):
Simply enter the 6-digit HUID to check authenticity and details.

Inspection on the Jewellery:
Always ask your jeweller to show you the hallmark details physically or under magnification.

BIS Hallmarking vs. International Certifications
While BIS is mandatory in India, international certifications like GIA (for diamonds) or IGI focus on gemstone quality, not gold or metal purity. So ideally, a fine jewellery piece should carry both types of certifications—BIS for metal and GIA/IGI for diamonds or gemstones.

AURUM AND DIAMONDS' Commitment to Trust
At AURUM AND DIAMONDS, all our gold jewellery is 100% BIS hallmarked and responsibly sourced. Our commitment is to deliver nothing less than certified brilliance, luxury, and trust in every piece.

Conclusion
BIS hallmarking is not just a regulatory mark—it's a symbol of trust, quality, and assurance. Whether you're buying for investment, celebration, or gifting, always ensure your jewellery carries a valid BIS hallmark.

When you choose hallmarked jewellery, you’re not just buying gold—you’re buying peace of mind.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1. Is BIS hallmarking mandatory in India?
Yes, as of 2021, BIS hallmarking is mandatory for gold jewellery in select karats across notified districts.

Q2. Can studded or designer jewellery be hallmarked?
Yes, even studded jewellery can and should be hallmarked, though there are some exemptions.

Q3. How do I verify the BIS hallmark?
Use the BIS Care App and enter the HUID number to verify authenticity.