Most of us check the design, the weight, and the price when buying gold. Very few of us turn the piece over and look for the tiny marks stamped into it — even though those marks are the only proof that the gold is what the bill says it is.
Since 2021, BIS hallmarking has been mandatory across most of India. Here is what those marks actually mean, and how to read them in ten seconds.
The Three Marks on Hallmarked Gold Today
Every genuine hallmarked piece sold in India carries exactly three marks:
- The BIS logo — a small triangular mark. This is the Bureau of Indian Standards seal confirming the piece was tested at a government-recognised assaying centre.
- The purity grade — shown as both karat and fineness: 22K916 for 22 karat, 18K750 for 18 karat, 14K585 for 14 karat. The number is the parts of pure gold per thousand.
- The HUID — a six-digit alphanumeric code unique to that single piece. No two pieces in India share a HUID.
That third mark is the one most buyers ignore, and it is the most powerful. You can enter it in the BIS Care app on your phone and see the item's registered purity, weight, and jeweller instantly. If the app shows nothing, walk away.
Why Older Jewellery Shows Four Marks
If you check your mother's jewellery, you may find four marks instead of three — the BIS logo, purity, a jeweller's identification mark, and the assaying centre's mark. This was the pre-2021 system.
It is not fake. It simply predates HUID, which replaced those last two marks with one traceable code. Old hallmarked jewellery remains perfectly valid for sale and exchange.
Where to Look on Each Type of Piece
The marks are deliberately small and placed where they will not spoil the design:
- Rings — inside the band, along the inner surface.
- Necklaces and chains — on the clasp, or on a small flat tag near it. When comparing gold necklace designs in a showroom, ask the staff to point out the clasp marking; a good jeweller will do it without hesitation.
- Earrings — on the post or the back of the hook. Lightweight gold earrings for women can be tricky to read, so use your phone camera zoom.
- Bangles — on the inner surface, near the screw or joint.
Buying Online? The Hallmark Still Applies
Hallmarking rules do not change because the purchase happens on a screen. When you buy gold ring online or order any piece from a website, the item that arrives must carry the same three marks — and the invoice should state the HUID.
Before you check out, confirm three things:
- The product page states BIS hallmarking and karat clearly
- The invoice will list purity, net gold weight, and making charges separately
- Returns and buyback terms are published, not promised over chat
The Ten-Second Habit
Turn the piece over. Find the triangle. Read the karat. Check the HUID in the BIS Care app.
That is the whole process — and it is the difference between owning gold and simply hoping you do.
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