BIS Hallmark HUID: Why You Should Never Buy Gold Without Checking It

BIS Hallmark HUID: Why You Should Never Buy Gold Without Checking It

Last updated: 15 May 2026

Walk into any jewellery store in India and you'll see promises everywhere "100% pure," "guaranteed quality," "tested gold." Two BIS marks on the jewellery itself are backed by Indian law: the BIS hallmark. Since 1 April 2023, it has been mandatory on every piece of hallmarked gold sold across India, and from 1 September 2025, the HUID-based system has been extended (voluntarily, for now) to silver as well.

Walk into any jewellery store in India and you'll see promises everywhere "100% pure," "guaranteed quality," "certified gold." But two marks on the jewellery itself is backed by Indian law: the BIS hallmark. Since 1 April 2023, it has been mandatory on every piece of hallmarked gold sold across India, and from 1 September 2025, the HUID-based system has been extended (voluntarily, for now) to silver as well.

This guide explains everything a buyer needs to know about the BIS hallmark what the logo looks like on jewellery, what 916 hallmark actually means for 22 carat gold, how silver hallmarking differs, how to verify a BIS hallmark certificate online, and how to recognise BIS certified jewellers like Bhima before you spend a single rupee.

What is BIS Hallmark? 

BIS hallmark is the official purity certification issued by the Bureau of Indian Standards, India's national standards body, confirming that a piece of gold or silver jewellery meets a declared purity grade. The meaning of BIS hallmark is straightforward: a piece bearing the hallmark has been independently tested at a BIS-recognised Assaying and Hallmarking Centre, and registered in the BIS database against a unique 6-digit code.

For gold, BIS hallmark has been mandatory since 1 April 2023 under standards IS 1417 and IS 1418. For silver, HUID-based hallmarking became voluntary under the revised standard IS 2112:2025 on 1 September 2025, with the government currently reviewing whether to make it mandatory.

The BIS Hallmark Logo: What to Look For on Your Jewellery

The BIS hallmark logo on jewellery is a small triangle containing a tick mark and the letters "BIS" laser-engraved into the metal alongside two other marks. Together, these three components form a complete BIS hallmark.

On a gold piece, you'll see:

• The BIS triangle logo the official certification stamp of the Bureau of Indian Standards.

• The purity grade engraved as 22K916, 18K750, or 14K585.

• The 6-digit HUID a unique alphanumeric code such as "AZ4F9P."

On a hallmarked silver piece, the BIS logo appears with the word "SILVER" stamped next to it, alongside the silver purity grade (such as 925) and a 6-digit HUID. The marks are usually engraved on a discreet inner surface the clasp of a chain, the inside of a ring shank, or the back of a pendant so look carefully under a magnifier or your phone camera's zoom.

BIS Hallmark for 22 Carat Gold: What 916 Hallmark Means

The 916 hallmark is the most commonly seen BIS hallmark in gold jewellery across India. The number 916 refers to purity: 91.6 parts gold per 1,000, or 91.6% pure gold which is exactly the composition of 22 carat gold. When you see "22K916" engraved on a piece, it confirms the item has been certified at 22 carat purity by a BIS-recognised hallmarking centre.

BIS hallmark for 22 carat gold (22K916) is used for most traditional Indian jewellery, including bridal sets, daily-wear chains, bangles, and coin items. The two other purity grades legally permitted are 18K750 (75% pure, widely used for diamond-studded and modern designs) and 14K585 (58.5% pure, used for everyday and lightweight pieces). 24 carat gold at 99.9% purity is too soft to be made into wearable jewellery and is hallmarked only on coins and bars under a separate scheme.

The purity grade directly affects value. A 22K916 piece contains roughly 22% more pure gold by weight than an 18K750 piece, and 56% more than a 14K585 piece. This is why verifying the actual purity mark and not just trusting a jeweller's verbal claim is the single most important step in protecting your money.

BIS Hallmark for Silver: How It's Different from Gold

BIS hallmark for silver was reintroduced as a HUID-based system on 1 September 2025 under the revised standard IS 2112:2025. Unlike gold, silver hallmarking in India is currently voluntary but any jeweller who chooses to hallmark silver must now use the new HUID-based format. The government has said it will evaluate making silver hallmarking mandatory within six months of the rollout.

Silver hallmark carries three components, similar to gold but with one visible difference: the BIS standard mark on silver is accompanied by the word "SILVER." The revised standard allows seven purity grades 800, 835, 925, 958, 970, 990, and 999 with grades 958 and 999 newly introduced in 2025. The most common is 925, internationally known as sterling silver (92.5% pure silver).

If you're buying a silver piece, look for the BIS-with-SILVER logo, the purity number, and the 6-digit HUID code. An unhallmarked silver piece gives you no official assurance of its purity a real concern given how widely silver purity varies in the unregulated market.

Gold vs Silver Hallmarking in India: Side by Side

​Both metals now use the HUID system, but the rules differ in important ways: 

The bigger takeaway: both metals are now traceable through the BIS Care app's HUID verification, which removes the guesswork for buyers at least for any piece you choose to verify.

Looking for verified hallmarked pieces? Browse the Bhima gold collection every item carries the complete BIS hallmark with a registered HUID.

How to Verify Your BIS Hallmark Certificate (HUID)

A BIS hallmark certificate isn't a separate paper document, it's a digital record linked to the 6-digit HUID code on your jewellery. The BIS Care mobile app gives any buyer free, instant access to this record in under a minute:

1. Download the BIS Care app free from the Google Play Store or Apple App Store.

2. Tap "Verify HUID."

3. Enter the 6-digit code engraved on your piece.

4. Tap search.

The app instantly displays the item type, purity grade, weight, hallmarking date, the BIS-certified jeweller's name and registration number, and the Assaying and Hallmarking Centre that tested the piece. This is your BIS hallmark certificate in digital form and it's the same record that BIS uses internally. If the app returns "No record found," the hallmark is fake. Walk away.

How to Recognise BIS Certified Jewellers Before You Buy

A BIS certified jeweller is a retailer registered with the Bureau of Indian Standards to sell hallmarked jewellery. Every registered seller has a unique BIS registration number that appears in the HUID verification result for every piece they sell. Here's how to recognise BIS certified jewellers before you part with money:

• Their BIS registration certificate is displayed prominently in the showroom usually at the entrance or near the billing counter.

• Every piece on display carries all three BIS hallmark components (logo, purity grade, HUID).

• They will willingly verify any HUID on the BIS Care app in front of you, before you pay.

• Their invoice itemises HUID, purity grade, gross weight, net weight, and making charges as separate lines.

• They take HUID-related complaints seriously rather than dismissing them.

If a jeweller fails any of these, treat it as a warning. Genuine BIS certified jewellers welcome verification that it is their proof of compliance. You can also report suspect jewellers via the "Complaints" section of the BIS Care app or at bis.gov.in.

Why Bhima Is BIS Certified Across Every Store

Bhima Gold Private Limited has been a BIS certified jeweller across every showroom since long before mandatory hallmarking became law. The brand was started by the late Mr. Krishnan Bhat with a single store on Dickenson Road in Bangalore, and today, under the leadership of Mr. Vishnusharan Bhatt, Bhima operates 21 stores across Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu.

Every gold piece in a Bhima showroom whether 22K916, 18K750, or 14K585 carries the complete BIS hallmark: the BIS logo, the precise purity grade, and the registered 6-digit HUID. Our silver pieces follow the same standard under IS 2112:2025. Visit your nearest Bhima store and ask our team to walk you through the BIS hallmark on any piece using the BIS Care app side by side with you, before you decide.

Related Reading on Bhima

• Necklace Design: A Timeless Look for Any Occasion

• The Bhima Legacy

• Latest Jewelry Collections

• Importance of Gold in Uncertain Times

Visit a Bhima Store

Visit any Bhima showroom across Bengaluru, Hubballi, Mangaluru, Udupi, Vijayawada, and the rest of South India to see BIS hallmarked gold and silver jewellery first-hand with HUID verification done in front of you. Contact Bhima Gold for queries.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is the meaning of "BIS hallmark"?

BIS hallmark is the official certification issued by the Bureau of Indian Standards confirming the purity of gold or silver jewellery sold in India. A BIS hallmarked piece has been tested at a BIS-recognised hallmarking centre and registered in the BIS central database against a unique 6-digit HUID code.

2. What does 916 mean on gold jewellery?

916 refers to 91.6% gold purity, which corresponds exactly to 22 carat. A 916 hallmark on gold confirms the piece has been certified at 22 carat purity by a BIS-recognised hallmarking centre. It is the most common BIS hallmark for 22 carat gold sold in India.

3. Is BIS hallmark mandatory for silver jewellery in India?

Not yet. As of 2026, BIS hallmark for silver is voluntary under the revised IS 2112:2025 standard, in effect since 1 September 2025. However, any jeweller choosing to hallmark silver must use the HUID-based format. The government is reviewing whether to make silver hallmarking mandatory.

4. Is the BIS hallmark certificate a separate paper document?

No. The BIS hallmark certificate is a digital record linked to the 6-digit HUID engraved on the jewellery. You access it for free on the BIS Care mobile app by entering the HUID code. Your jewellery invoice should also list the HUID, purity grade, and weight.

5. How do I check if a jeweller is BIS certified?

Look for the BIS registration certificate displayed in the showroom. You can also confirm certification through the HUID itself when you verify a piece on the BIS Care app, the jeweller's BIS registration number appears in the result. If it matches the seller you're buying from, they are a BIS certified jeweller.

6. Does BIS hallmark apply to gold coins and bars as well?

Yes, but under a different scheme from jewellery. BIS hallmarks 24 carat (99.9% pure) gold coins and bars separately, while gold jewellery is hallmarked only at 22K, 18K, or 14K because 24 carat gold is too soft to be safely worn as jewellery.