Buying gold jewellery is now more reliable than ever.
The government has made it compulsory for jewellers to sell only hallmarked gold, ensuring that what you buy is genuine and pure.
In the latest update, seven more districts have been added under the sixth phase of mandatory hallmarking.
These include places like Rupnagar (Punjab), Banda (Uttar Pradesh), and Beed (Maharashtra), along with four others.
With this expansion, hallmarking rules now cover 380 districts across India.
Since 2021, over 60 crore gold items have already been hallmarked using a unique identification system, giving buyers greater confidence in their purchases.
What Does Hallmarking Mean for You?
Hallmarking is essentially a guarantee of gold purity. It confirms that the jewellery you’re buying meets official standards.
For example, if a piece is marked as 18-carat gold, it means 18 out of 24 parts are pure gold, while the remaining part is made up of other metals.
The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) has clarified that hallmarking currently applies to several gold purity levels, including:
14 karat
18 karat
20 karat
22 karat
23 karat
24 karat
There is also a provision for 9 karat gold, though it remains optional for now.
How to Check If Your Gold Is Genuine
To make things even easier, BIS offers a simple way to verify your jewellery.
You can use the “Verify HUID” feature on the BIS CARE mobile app.
By entering the HUID number, you can instantly check whether your gold is authentic and properly certified.
Things to Always Check Before Buying Gold
Before making a purchase, keep an eye on these key details:
BIS Mark – Confirms the jewellery is officially certified
Purity Mark (Carat & Fineness)
22K916 = 22 carat
18K750 = 18 carat
14K585 = 14 carat
20K, 23K, and 24K are now also included
HUID Code – A unique 6-digit alphanumeric number for each piece
Jeweller/Assaying Centre Mark – Identifies the seller or testing centre
