Dhanteras is on Friday, 6 November 2026, and gold shops will be at their busiest. A shiny piece is easy to buy. Knowing it is actually the purity printed on the bill is the harder part, and it is the part that protects your money.
In India, gold jewellery sold by registered jewellers is meant to carry a BIS hallmark and a HUID. You can verify both yourself, in a couple of minutes, on your phone. Here is how, and what to look for on the invoice.
Quick answer
- Look for the BIS logo, the purity mark (for example 22K916) and a 6-character HUID on the jewellery.
- Ask for the piece to be checked in the BIS Care app using the HUID.
- Match the jeweller, purity and item type shown in the app with your invoice.
- Keep the invoice. It should state the purity, weight and each charge separately.
What is a BIS hallmark?
The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) is the national standards body. A BIS hallmark is a government-backed guarantee that a piece of jewellery has been tested at a BIS-recognised assaying and hallmarking centre and found to be of the purity stamped on it.
What is a HUID?
HUID stands for Hallmark Unique Identification. Since 1 April 2023, hallmarked gold jewellery in India carries a 6-character alphanumeric HUID, a letter-and-number code unique to that single piece. The older system of several separate marks was replaced by this unique code, which is linked to a record in the BIS database.
How to read the purity mark
| Carat | Fineness mark | Gold content |
|---|---|---|
| 24K | 999 | About 99.9% gold |
| 22K | 916 | 91.6% gold |
| 18K | 750 | 75% gold |
| 14K | 585 | 58.5% gold |
Most traditional jewellery in India is 22K. If a piece is stamped 22K but you are told it is "24 carat", something does not match. Ask until you understand.
How to verify the HUID in 5 steps
- Install the official BIS Care app from the Play Store or App Store (published by the Bureau of Indian Standards).
- Open the app and choose the option to verify a hallmarked jewellery article (the menu wording can change between versions).
- Enter the 6-character HUID printed on your piece. Use a magnifying glass or your phone camera zoom, as the engraving is tiny.
- Read the result: it should show the jeweller's registered name, the type of article and the purity.
- Match those details with the item in your hand and with the invoice. If anything differs, do not complete the purchase.
If the app shows no record for a HUID, do not assume the worst immediately. Check you typed the characters correctly (letters like O and zero, or I and 1, are easy to confuse), then ask the shop to explain. If the problem continues, you can raise it with BIS through its consumer complaint channels.
Reading your gold invoice: a worked example
A proper bill separates the value of the gold from the making charges and GST. Here is a simple example. The rate and charges below are assumptions to show the arithmetic. They are not today's rate or a quote from any jeweller.
| Item | Working | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Gold value | 10 g × ₹15,000 per gram (assumed rate) | ₹1,50,000 |
| Making charges | 10% of gold value (assumed) | ₹15,000 |
| GST on gold | 3% of ₹1,50,000 | ₹4,500 |
| GST on making charges | 5% of ₹15,000 | ₹750 |
| Total | ₹1,70,250 |
GST at 3% on gold and 5% on making charges is the rate structure that applies to jewellery at the time of writing. Check the current rate if you are reading this later.
Things to check on the invoice
- Purity (22K, 18K and so on) written clearly for each item.
- Net gold weight, separate from stones, pearls or other attachments. Stones should not be charged at gold rates.
- Rate per gram used, so you can compare it against that day's rate.
- Making charges as a percentage or a per-gram amount, because this is the part you can negotiate.
- HUID of each piece, if the shop lists it.
- Buy-back and exchange terms in writing. Ask how the old gold is valued: usually the value is based on purity and weight with deductions, not the price you paid.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Paying in cash without an invoice. You lose your proof of purchase and your claim.
- Judging purity by colour or "feel". A hallmark check is the only reliable consumer check without lab equipment.
- Comparing only the per-gram rate. Two shops with the same rate can still differ by thousands once making charges are added.
- Buying from a seller who refuses to show the HUID in the app.
- Ignoring the date. Prices can swing on Dhanteras week, so check a live rate on the day you buy.
Frequently asked questions
Is BIS hallmark mandatory for gold jewellery in India?
Hallmarking of gold jewellery is mandatory in the districts notified by the Government, and HUID has been required on hallmarked pieces since 1 April 2023. The list of districts has been expanded in stages, so check the BIS website for the current list.
What does 22K916 mean?
It means 22 carat gold with a fineness of 916, or 91.6% gold content.
Can I verify the HUID myself?
Yes. Use the BIS Care app and enter the HUID printed on the jewellery.
Is old, non-hallmarked jewellery useless?
No. Old family jewellery has value. It is only the sale of new items that needs to be hallmarked. You can get old jewellery tested and hallmarked at a BIS-recognised centre if you want certainty.
Does the HUID show the price?
No. It shows identity details about the piece, such as the jeweller, purity and type of article, not its price.
Sources to verify
- Bureau of Indian Standards for hallmarking rules, the BIS Care app and the list of notified districts.
- CBIC GST for current GST rates on gold and jewellery.
Planning other Diwali expenses? See our Diwali 2026 calendar and best budgeting apps for beginners.
