What Does Gold Purity Mean?

Pure gold (24 karat) is soft and impractical for daily-wear jewellery, so jewellers mix it with other metals like copper, silver, or zinc to make it stronger. "Caratage" simply tells you how much of that mix is actual gold. It is usually expressed in two ways: karat (K) and fineness, a three-digit number that shows the percentage of pure gold out of 1,000 parts.

Here's how the commonly used purity levels compare. Always verify the exact grade and current permitted caratage range using official BIS sources, since jewellery articles under the hallmarking scheme currently span 9 karat to 24 karat.

What is a BIS Hallmark?

A BIS hallmark is an official quality certification mark that confirms a piece of gold jewellery has been assessed by a BIS-recognised Assaying and Hallmarking Centre (AHC) and meets a declared purity standard. Hallmarking of gold jewellery has been mandatory in notified districts since June 2021, and selling unhallmarked gold jewellery or artefacts in those areas without the required marks is not permitted under BIS regulations.

A current BIS hallmark on gold jewellery generally carries three components:

• The BIS Standard Mark (the triangular BIS logo)
• The purity grade in fineness, such as 22K916 for 22-karat gold
• The 6-character HUID (Hallmark Unique Identification) code, unique to that specific article

Older jewellery, hallmarked before the HUID system was rolled out, may carry an additional jeweller's identification mark and an assaying centre mark alongside the BIS logo and purity grade. These older four-mark hallmarks remain valid; they simply reflect the marking format used at the time the piece was tested.

What is HUID Number?

HUID stands for Hallmark Unique Identification. It is a 6-character alphanumeric code (a mix of letters and numbers) that is laser-engraved on every hallmarked gold jewellery article since it became mandatory for hallmarked gold nationwide from 1 April 2023.

Each HUID is generated when a piece is tested and hallmarked at an AHC, and it is meant to uniquely identify that specific article in BIS's records, linking it to details such as its purity grade, article type, hallmarking date, and the registered jeweller. The code is typically engraved close to the BIS logo and purity mark, and because it's so small, you may genuinely need a magnifying glass or your phone's camera zoom to read it clearly.

How to Verify HUID Using the BIS Care App

The BIS Care App is the official mobile application from the Bureau of Indian Standards that lets consumers check the authenticity of ISI-marked, hallmarked, and CRS-registered products, including the "Verify HUID" feature for jewellery. Here's how to use it:

• Download the official BIS Care App from the Google Play Store (Android) or the Apple App Store (iOS). Avoid any app that isn't published by BIS.
• Open the app and, on the home screen, select the "Verify HUID" option.
• Carefully enter the 6-character HUID exactly as it appears engraved on your jewellery, including both letters and numbers.
• Tap search or submit to pull up the record linked to that HUID.
• Review the details shown, which typically include the article type, purity grade, hallmarking date, and the jeweller's registration status.
• Compare this information against the physical jewellery, its engraved hallmark, and your purchase invoice to see that everything matches.

It helps to be clear about what this step actually proves. Entering a HUID in the app does not physically test the metal in your hand; it looks up the official record that was created when that HUID was originally issued at an AHC. In other words, the app confirms whether a valid, registered HUID record exists and shows you what that record says — it's then up to you to check that these details match the actual piece and the invoice you were given.

If the HUID shows as invalid, the app returns no matching record, or the details displayed don't match your jewellery or invoice, don't ignore it. You can raise the concern with the jeweller directly, use the "Complaints" feature within the BIS Care App to report the discrepancy to BIS, or contact your nearest BIS office. If the app is temporarily unable to retrieve a record, it's worth trying again after some time before assuming there's a problem, since technical or connectivity issues can also cause this.

How to Check Gold Purity Beyond the BIS Care App

HUID verification through the app is a useful first check, but it isn't the only thing worth doing before or after a gold purchase.

1. Inspect the Hallmark Visually

Look for the BIS triangular logo, the purity grade, and the engraved HUID on the piece itself, usually near a clasp or on an inner surface. A missing or partially worn hallmark is worth asking about.

2. Cross-Check Your Invoice

A proper invoice should mention the purity (karat/fineness), the HUID, the net weight of gold, and the jeweller's registration details. These should align with what's stamped on the jewellery and what the BIS Care App shows.

3. Check the Jeweller's Registration

Only BIS-registered jewellers are permitted to sell hallmarked jewellery in notified areas. You can ask the jeweller for their BIS registration details, which should also reflect in the app's HUID record.

4. Get Independent Purity Testing Done, If Needed

If you want physical confirmation of purity beyond the hallmark and HUID record, you can have the jewellery tested at a BIS-recognised Assaying and Hallmarking Centre. This is a separate, physical assay process, distinct from HUID verification on the app, and it directly examines the metal itself.

A quick but important distinction: app-based HUID verification checks a digital record against what's engraved on your piece, while physical testing at an AHC independently assesses the metal's actual composition. The two serve different purposes and work best together, not as substitutes for each other.

Before handing over jewellery for any physical testing, note down its weight and a description on a receipt, ask what testing method will be used, and stay present if the process allows it. These simple precautions protect you regardless of which centre you use.

Once you understand your jewellery's purity, it may also help you make a more informed decision if you plan to borrow against it. If you need funds for an eligible personal or business requirement, you can explore and apply for a Gold Loan with Ujjivan Small Finance Bank. The loan amount and approval are subject to gold appraisal, eligibility checks, applicable terms, and the bank's policies.

Warning Signs Consumers Should Not Ignore

• A missing, unreadable, or clearly tampered hallmark
• An HUID that the BIS Care App marks as invalid or cannot find
• A mismatch between the app's results and the jewellery, hallmark, or invoice
• A jeweller who is reluctant to provide a proper invoice with purity and HUID details
• Unexplained differences between the stated and actual purity or weight

It's worth being clear that any one of these signs, on its own, doesn't automatically prove fraud — there could be a genuine error or a technical glitch. But it's a good reason to ask questions, seek clarification from the jeweller, and, if needed, verify independently before you proceed.

Quick Checklist Before Buying Gold Jewellery

• Check that the BIS hallmark (logo, purity grade, HUID) is clearly visible
• Verify the HUID using the BIS Care App
• Ask for a detailed invoice mentioning purity, HUID, and jeweller details
• Confirm the purity/karat matches what you were told verbally
• Note the net gold weight separately from any stone or embellishment weight
• Ask about making charges and how they're calculated
• Understand the jeweller's return, exchange, or buyback terms before you pay

Final Thoughts

Buying gold doesn't have to feel like guesswork. Checking the hallmark, verifying the HUID on the BIS Care App, and holding on to a proper invoice together give you a far more reliable picture than appearance or a seller's word alone. None of these steps take more than a few minutes, but they can save you from confusion or disputes later.

If you ever have doubts about a hallmark, an HUID, or a jeweller's conduct, use the BIS Care App's complaint feature or reach out to your nearest BIS office through official channels rather than relying on informal opinions.

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