As gold buying picks up ahead of Dhanteras, one of the key concerns for customers is whether the jewellery they purchase is authentic. In India, the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) regulates the purity of gold through hallmarking, and consumers now have a way to verify the hallmark digitally using the government-authorised BIS Care app. This helps buyers cross-check whether a gold item sold as “hallmarked” actually meets purity standards.
Understanding BIS hallmarking
Hallmarking has been made mandatory for gold jewellery and artefacts in the country since June 2021. A hallmarked item typically carries three critical inscriptions — the BIS logo, the purity mark such as 22K916 (where 916 represents 91.6% purity), and a Hallmark Unique Identification (HUID) code. The HUID is a six-character alphanumeric ID assigned at the time of hallmarking, and this code is what enables online verification.
How to verify gold using the BIS Care app
Download the app Install BIS Care from the Google Play Store or Apple App Store.
Register with mobile number Open the app and complete basic registration using your phone number.
Select “Verify HUID” On the home screen, tap the Verify HUID option.
Enter the HUID code
Locate the six-character alphanumeric HUID engraved on the jewellery and type it into the app.
Check the result
The app will show details like:
— Jeweller name and registration
— Assaying and hallmarking centre
— Item type and purity
Match with invoice and jewellery
If the data on the screen matches the markings on the item and the invoice, the hallmark is genuine.
Raise complaint if mismatch
If the details do not match or the HUID is invalid, file a grievance within the app using the Complaints section.
Checking via BIS website
For users who do not want to install the app, BIS offers the same HUID verification service on its official hallmarking portal. By entering the same six-character code on the site, the portal returns the registration and purity details of the jewellery.
What to do if the details do not match
If the BIS Care app or website shows inconsistent or missing data, users can raise a complaint through the ‘Complaints’ section in the app. This allows reporting of suspected misuse or non-compliance directly to BIS.
Points to note before buying
Online hallmark verification works only when the HUID is present and readable. Items bought before hallmarking became compulsory may not carry a HUID. In such cases, or where doubt persists, BIS-recognised Assaying and Hallmarking Centres can test the gold for a fee.
By running a quick HUID check before or after purchase, buyers can reduce the risk of fraud during festive gold shopping and ensure they receive gold that meets national standards.
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