BIS Hallmark and HUID: How to Check Gold Jewellery Purity

Updated 22 October 2026 · Reviewed under our editorial policy

A hallmark is the government’s guarantee of how much gold a piece contains. In India, hallmarking is run by the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) and is mandatory for gold jewellery sold by registered jewellers. Checking it takes a minute and is the simplest way to make sure you pay a 22K price for 22K gold.

The three marks on hallmarked gold

Every hallmarked piece sold today carries three marks, usually laser-engraved on a clasp, inner band or hook:

1. BIS standard mark: the BIS triangle logo.
2. Purity grade: the karat and fineness, for example 22K916 (22 karat, 91.6% gold) or 18K750.
3. HUID: a six-character alphanumeric code, such as AB12C3, unique to that one piece.

Jewellery sold with only an older-style hallmark and no HUID has not been allowed since 1 April 2023, so new jewellery without a HUID is a warning sign.

How to verify a HUID in the BIS CARE app

1. Install BIS CARE from the Play Store or App Store. It’s free and run by BIS.
2. Open Verify HUID and type the six-character code exactly as engraved.
3. The app shows the article type, its purity and details of the registered jeweller and the hallmarking centre.

Check that the purity and article type match what is on your bill. If the code isn’t found or the details don’t match, raise it with the jeweller before paying. You can also lodge a complaint through the same app.

Which items don’t need a hallmark

The mandatory rules don’t cover everything. Exempt items include:

• articles weighing less than 2 grams,
• watches and fountain pens,
• Kundan, Polki and Jadau jewellery,
• jewellery for export and some exhibition purposes.

Small jewellers below the turnover threshold set by BIS are also exempt. If you are buying any of these, ask for the purity in writing on the bill.

Hallmark purity grades

Hallmarking covers seven gold grades: 24K (999), 23K (958), 22K (916), 20K (833), 18K (750), 14K (585) and 9K (375). 9K was added in July 2025. Our purity guide explains what each means for price.

What about old, unhallmarked jewellery?

• You can still sell or exchange it. Jewellers can buy old unhallmarked gold from consumers.
• You can get it tested. BIS-recognised Assaying and Hallmarking Centres test consumers’ unhallmarked jewellery for a small per-article fee set by BIS and issue a test report. This is useful before selling, so you know the purity you should be paid for.
• It can be hallmarked if the jeweller has it hallmarked as it is, or melted and remade.

Quick checklist before you pay

• All three marks are on the piece, not just on the tag.
• The HUID verifies in BIS CARE and matches the article.
• The purity on the bill matches the hallmark.
• The rate per gram on the bill matches that purity. Compare it with today’s gold rate in Bangalore.

Sources

• Bureau of Indian Standards: hallmarking for jewellers
• Bureau of Indian Standards: BIS CARE app
• PIB: consumers can get un-hallmarked jewellery tested at hallmarking centres

Check today’s prices: gold rate today in Bangalore · gold price calculator