Indian Gold Hallmarks: All You Need to Know (2024)

Gold is the most demanded precious metal in India. Gold and gold ornaments have a high emotional and pious value in Indian households. It is extensively used in jewellery and as a store of value. However, many sellers sell gold with lots of impurities. It is majorly happening in rural areas where people need more awareness. So, to increase consumer confidence, the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) initiated the hallmarking of gold objects.  

Hallmarking gold ensures its genuineness and purity. To make sure that you are not duped, it is recommended that you buy only hallmarked gold objects from the market, including gold coins, bars, and jewellery. 

In this article, you’ll know everything about Indian Gold Hallmarks, its components, its symbol, and how to check the BIS hallmark on the gold. Furthermore, we have also mentioned the tips you must consider before buying gold jewellery and other gold ornaments. 

What is Hallmarking of Gold?

Hallmarking is the process of confirming the genuineness and purity of a gold product. If any gold product has the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) mark, it signifies that its quality follows the standards of BIS. Having a hallmark guarantees consumers the purity of the gold they purchase. 

The National Standards Body of India hallmarks all the gold and silver jewellery under the BIS Act. Following are the four major components you should check before purchasing gold: 

1. BIS hallmark: Indicates that the purity of the hallmarked piece is verified in one of its licensed laboratories
2. Purity in carat and fineness 

• 22K916 (91.6% Purity)
• 18K750 (75% Purity)
• 14K585 (58.5% Purity)

3. Assaying & hallmarking centre’s mark
4. Jeweller’s unique identification mark

Indian Gold Hallmarks: Components 

Every hallmarked gold jewellery piece has four vital components that signify its purity. The hallmark logo on gold coins symbolises its originality per the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS). These marks include:

BIS Standard Logo 

This triangular-shaped stamp mark exhibits the purity of the gold product. Also, it signifies that the gold item is minutely tested in one of the specialised labs of the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS). This logo is on every hallmarked gold jewellery item and the six-digit alphanumeric code (HUID).

Purity Mark 

This stamp shows purity in two forms, carat and fineness number. The hallmarking comprises 18K, 22K, and 24K gold. 24K is considered the purest gold item of all.

Assaying and Hallmarking Centre’s Mark 

The third stamp on every hallmarked gold item is the official symbol of the hallmarking centre, where the gold item is tested for purity. In addition, several certified laboratories have permission to check the gold’s purity and put the confirmation symbol. This marking is made to trace the item back to the centre in case of future problems.

Jeweller’s Identification Mark 

Lastly, every BIS-certified jeweller has a distinctive logo they can emboss on their gold jewellery. The official website of BIS has a list of certified jewellers.

BIS distinguishes the following gold purities as:

• 375 : 9 carat
• 583 : 14 carat
• 750 : 18 carat
• 875 : 21 carat
• 916 : 22 carat
• 958 : 23 carat

How to Check the Indian Gold Hallmark Online?

From April 1, 2023, all the gold ornaments and artefacts must be marked with the 6-digit HUID or Hallmark Unique Identification. This number will help the buyers trace the purity and authenticity of gold. This will help standardise India’s gold market and make it easier for people to make informed choices before investing in precious metals.

To check the details of the jewellery online, follow the mentioned steps:

1. Download the BIS Care App.
2. Click on ‘verify HUID.’
3. You will get a box where you need to type the 6-digit HUID number mentioned on the jewellery.
4. Click on ‘search’.
5. You will get all the details about the jewellery, including the following:

• Jeweller who got the jewellery hallmarked,
• Jeweller Registration Number,
• Assaying and Hallmarking (AHC) Centre,
• Article type, for example, earrings, necklaces, etc.
• Date of Hallmark
• Type of Jewellery

Tips to Keep in Mind While Buying Gold Jewellery

Following are some useful tips you should keep in mind while purchasing gold jewellery:

• Know the Purity

The purity of gold is measured in carats. Mainly, 24 carats of gold are accepted at 99.9% pure. However, it gradually reduces when you choose 22 carats, 18 carats, 14 carats, etc. It is recommended that you buy hallmarked jewellery. 

• Factor in the Price

Another factor you must remember while buying gold jewellery is its price since it indicates its purity and the labour involved in its manufacturing process. Price of gold varies widely across different places and changes daily. Therefore, it makes sense to compare gold prices before investing in it. Equally, you are advised to purchase gold products from a reliable jeweller or a well-known company.  

• Check the Colour

There are colour variations in gold. Combining gold with various metals forms another colour. In India, the highest demand is towards yellow gold. Now, if you need variety, you may select different colours, such as rose gold or white. The prices will vary accordingly.

• Measure the Weight

Check the actual gold’s weight before purchasing it, especially if it includes stones. This is because gold jewellery fitted with stone makes its body heavier, and you may wrongly pay a higher charge. 

Why Is it Important to Buy Hallmark Gold?

Gold is a costly metal, and one cannot judge its purity simply by looking at it. Besides, without the knowledge of purity, a person buying it may end up paying much more than its actual price.  

You can be assured of its purity and originality when you locate the above symbols on the gold item while buying. You can ask for the correct price per the present gold rate while purchasing it.

Mentioned below are some of the important features of hallmarked jewellery: 

• If your jewellery is hallmarked, you will receive 100 per cent of the value while selling, and if it is not, you can expect about 70 to 75 per cent of the value.   
• The BIS hallmarked jewellery establishes a symbol of genuineness about the purity of gold and the jeweller. Thus, you can stay assured while buying a hallmarked gold item. 
• As per the guidelines of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), gold loan providers can lend up to 75% of the total value of hallmarked jewellery to borrowers.
• An individual can easily differentiate original jewellery from fake jewellery. Even though many jewellers have personal hallmarks, several use the BIS hallmark since it is almost universally accepted. 

Final Word

The hallmarking of gold by the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) helps determine the genuineness of gold jewellery sold countrywide. Hence, if you are buying a gold item, make sure that you check its quality thoroughly and verify its identification symbols mentioned above. If necessary, you can take the help of reliable gold experts from whom you will get precise information.

Frequently Asked Questions