BIS and Hallmarking

In India, hallmark certification for precious metals is provided by the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS). This certification helps protect consumers from purchasing impure or adulterated metals. A BIS hallmark acts as a guarantee of quality and authenticity, clearly indicating the exact purity of gold used in the jewellery. By ensuring that the metal meets established national standards, the hallmarking system builds trust and transparency between jewellers and consumers.

The official determination and recording of the proportion of precious metals in articles. Hallmarks are official marks guaranteeing the purity or fineness of the metal. This scheme ensures authenticity, quality assurance, and consumer protection.

Objectives of the Hallmarking Scheme:

1. Protect the public against adulteration.

2. Oblige manufacturers to maintain legal standards of fineness.

Precious metals under Hallmarking in India:

• Gold : Gold Hallmark Standards (IS 1417:2016) 

  • Gold jewellery in India is hallmarked according to IS 1417:2016 standards issued by the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS). This hallmarking system ensures that the gold used in jewellery meets the specified purity standards and protects consumers from purchasing impure or adulterated gold.

  • The approved purity grades for gold include 14K (585), 18K (750), 20K (833), 22K (916), 23K (958), and 24K (995). Each grade represents the amount of pure gold present in the alloy.

  • A properly hallmarked gold item must display certain mandatory marks, including the BIS logo, the fineness or purity grade, and a 6-digit alphanumeric HUID (Hallmark Unique Identification) code that allows consumers to verify the authenticity of the jewellery.

  • Generally, gold jewellery weighing 2 grams or more is required to be hallmarked under BIS regulations, ensuring transparency, quality assurance, and consumer protection in the gold jewellery market.

• Silver : Silver Hallmark Standards (IS 2112:2025) 

  • Silver articles in India are hallmarked according to the IS 2112:2025 standards issued by the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS). This hallmarking system ensures that silver jewellery and articles meet the required purity standards and helps protect consumers from purchasing impure or adulterated silver.

  • The approved purity grades for silver include 800, 835, 900, 925, 958, 970, 990, and 999, which indicate the proportion of pure silver in the metal.

  • A properly hallmarked silver item must display mandatory marks, including the BIS Standard Mark with “SILVER” mentioned and a 6-digit HUID (Hallmark Unique Identification) code used to verify the authenticity of the article.

  • Generally, silver items weighing 5 grams or more are eligible for hallmarking under BIS regulations, ensuring authenticity, quality assurance, and better consumer protection in the silver market.

HUID stands for Hallmark Unique Identification Number.

Here’s a clear breakdown:

• Definition: A unique 6-digit number assigned to each hallmarked gold or silver jewellery item by BIS (Bureau of Indian Standards).

• Purpose: To verify the authenticity and purity of hallmarked jewellery.

• Where it’s used: The HUID is engraved on hallmarked jewellery and can be checked via the BIS CARE app to confirm that the item meets the prescribed standards.

In short, the HUID is like a digital fingerprint for hallmarked jewellery, ensuring that what you’re buying is genuine.

What Karat Means

• Karat (abbreviated as “K” or “kt”) measures the purity of gold in an alloy.

• Pure gold is 24K.

• Karatage tells you how many parts out of 24 are pure gold.