How to verify BIS hallmarking before buying gold jewellery

You cannot tell real gold from convincingly stamped fake by looking at it — the hallmark is the only proof that survives a jeweler's showroom lighting. Instead of trusting a stamped number on faith, run the 6-digit HUID through the BIS Care app before you pay, and you convert a guess into a verified fact in under two minutes.

Why this matters

A hallmark stamp by itself proves nothing anymore. Counterfeit stamps exist, worn stamps become illegible, and some sellers still push pre-2021 stock without a traceable ID. The Bureau of Indian Standards fixed this with the Hallmark Unique Identification (HUID) number — a 6-digit alphanumeric code assigned to each piece at the assaying centre, logged in a central database you can query yourself.

Hallmarking became mandatory in India on June 16, 2021, and by 2023 BIS had moved to HUID-only hallmarks, retiring the older 4-digit scheme for fresh sales. That means every gold piece sold new in 2026 should carry a HUID you can look up, whether you're buying from a neighbourhood goldsmith or a jewellery house like Auram Jewellery.

Before you start

• A working phone with the BIS Care app (Android or iOS) or access to the BIS website — the lookup only works through these two channels, not a general Google search.
• The piece in hand, in good light — the HUID and purity stamp are often smaller than 2mm and sit near the clasp, inner band, or hook.
• The gotcha: jewellery bought before June 2021 may carry only a 4-digit hallmark with no HUID at all. That's not automatically fraud — it predates the system — but it also cannot be verified through the app, so treat inherited or resale pieces differently from new purchases (covered below).

Locate the HUID stamp on the jewellery

1. Turn the piece over and look near the clasp, inner shank (for rings), or the back of a pendant bail.
2. Find four marks stamped close together: the BIS triangle logo, the purity/fineness number (916, 750, 585, etc.), the assaying centre's mark, and the 6-digit HUID.
3. If you're buying online, ask the seller to photograph this cluster of marks before shipment — a legitimate seller will not hesitate.

Expected result: you have a clear 6-character alphanumeric code (letters and numbers mixed, e.g. AZ4E7K) ready to enter into the app.

Verify the HUID through BIS Care

1. Download BIS Care from the Play Store or App Store and open it.
2. Tap Verify HUID on the home screen.
3. Enter the 6-digit code exactly as stamped, including letters, then tap Submit.
4. The app returns the article type, purity, and the registered Assaying & Hallmarking Centre (AHC) that certified it.

Expected result: a match confirms the piece is registered in the BIS database with the purity claimed. No match, or an error, means the code is either mistyped or the hallmark is not genuine — re-check the stamp before assuming fraud.

Cross-check the jeweler's BIS registration

1. Open the Search Registered Jewellers section inside BIS Care, or use the equivalent lookup on the bis.gov.in portal.
2. Enter the jeweler's name or registration number, usually printed on the invoice.
3. Confirm the registration status shows as active, not expired or suspended.

Expected result: an active registration means the seller is currently licensed to sell hallmarked gold — a second, independent layer of confirmation beyond the piece itself.

Verifying older or inherited jewellery (pre-2021 pieces)

A 4-digit hallmark with no HUID cannot be looked up in the BIS Care app — that system only indexes post-2021 registrations. Instead of guessing, carry the piece to any BIS-recognized Assaying & Hallmarking Centre for re-testing, which confirms actual purity against the stamped claim. This matters most for resale, exchange, or inherited gold where the original invoice is long gone.

Troubleshooting

• HUID not found in the app — retype the code; letters like O/0 and I/1 are commonly misread from a worn stamp under bad light.
• Jeweler won't show the invoice or HUID before payment — that alone is a reason to walk. A legitimate seller of BIS hallmarked gold has nothing to hide at the counter.
• Stamp is worn or illegible — request the AHC certificate from the seller directly; every hallmarked piece has one on file.
• App shows the jeweler's registration expired — do not proceed with the purchase until you get a current registration number, or buy from a different registered seller.
• Invoice purity doesn't match the stamped fineness (e.g. invoice says 22KT but stamp reads 750, which is 18KT) — this is a documentation error at minimum and grounds to refuse the sale until corrected.

Customize your buying checklist

Hallmark verification is one step in a bigger buying decision. If this is your first gold purchase, the checklist extends to billing transparency and making charges — the gold jewellery for first-time buyers guide covers what to ask before you sign the invoice. For wedding purchases specifically, purity verification matters even more given the higher ticket size and gifting expectations involved.

At Auram Jewellery, every piece — from a single gold bala to a full bridal set — carries BIS hallmarking with 916 & 22KT purity documented at the point of sale, made by third-generation Master Karigars rather than factory lines.

FAQ

One last thing

Most buyers check the hallmark stamp but skip the jeweler's own registration status — and that second check catches problems the piece itself never reveals, like a seller whose BIS license lapsed after the jewellery was already stocked. Run both lookups, not just one, and you've covered the two failure points that actually cause disputes.

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• Gold jewellery for first-time buyers: complete guide
• Best bridal gold jewellery sets for weddings
• Bridal jewellery for Bengali brides: complete guide