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What is Hallmarking?
Hallmarking is the official, third-party determination and recording of the precious metal content purity or fineness of gold and silver jewellery and artefacts. In India, hallmarking is regulated by the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS), the National Standards Body established under the BIS Act, 2016. A BIS hallmark on a piece of jewellery is a guarantee to the consumer that the article contains exactly the purity it claims to.
India is one of the largest gold markets in the world, with the bulk of demand met through imports. Hallmarking was introduced precisely to close the gap created by under-declared purity and give consumers verifiable, independent assurance of quality.
Legal & Regulatory Framework
BIS was designated in the year 2000 as the sole agency to operate the Hallmarking Scheme in India, on the recommendation of the Reserve Bank of India's Standing Committee on Gold and Precious Metals. Gold hallmarking began in April 2000; silver hallmarking followed in December 2005.
- BIS (Hallmarking) Regulations, 2018: Govern registration of jewellers, recognition of Assaying & Hallmarking Centres, and licensing of refineries.
- Quality Control Order (QCO), 23 June 2021: made hallmarking of gold jewellery and artefacts mandatory, and introduced the Hallmark Unique Identification (HUID) system effective 1 July 2021.
- Mandatory Hallmarking of Silver Jewellery and Artefacts Order:extended compulsory hallmarking to silver jewellery, effective 1 September 2025.
- Successive amendment orders have progressively expanded the districts covered under mandatory hallmarking, in phases, across the country.
Mandatory Hallmarking — Current Status
Mandatory hallmarking for gold jewellery and artefacts applies in districts of India that have at least one operational Assaying & Hallmarking (A&H) Centre. The Government has expanded this coverage in successive phases through amendment orders, adding further districts each time, with the aim of eventually covering the entire country. Under the mandatory order, hallmarking currently applies to gold jewellery and artefacts of 14, 18, 20, 22, 23 and 24 carat grades, and to silver jewellery and artefacts across six standard fineness grades. Certain categories — such as jewellery for export, jewellery meant for melting or re-manufacture, watches, fountain pens, and specific antique or handcrafted items — are exempted under the guidelines issued alongside the QCO (www.bis.gov.in) .
The Hallmark & HUID
Before 1 July 2021, a hallmark on jewellery consisted of four components: the BIS logo, the purity/fineness grade, the Assaying & Hallmarking Centre's identification mark, and the jeweller's identification mark. Since the introduction of the Hallmark Unique Identification (HUID) system on 1 July 2021, every hallmark now consists of three components:
- BIS Logo
- Purity/Fineness grade: (e.g., 22K916, 18K750, 14K585 for gold; 990, 970, 925, 900, 835 or 800 for silver).
- HUID Code: Unique six-digit alphanumeric code laser-engraved on the article.
The HUID makes each individual piece of jewellery traceable back to the jeweller and the Assaying & Hallmarking Centre that tested it. Consumers can verify the HUID of any hallmarked article using the 'Verify HUID' feature on the BIS CARE mobile app.
Benefits of Hallmarking
For Consumers: Independent, third-party assurance of the exact purity of the gold/silver purchased — value for money. A traceable HUID for every article, verifiable through the BIS CARE app. A documented basis for redressal in case of any purity dispute.
For Jewellers: Demonstrated commitment to quality, which builds customer trust and business credibility. Legal compliance with the mandatory Quality Control Order, avoiding penalties for non-compliance. Better market access, including for export-oriented and premium retail segments
Registration Process
1. Online Application
The jeweller submits an application on the BIS online portal along with the required documents and applicable undertakings.
2. Instant Registration
Once the application is complete, BIS grants the Certificate of Registration instantly, which the jeweller can download and display at the point of sale.
3. Testing at A&H Centre
The registered jeweller sends jewellery/artefacts to a BIS-recognised Assaying & Hallmarking (A&H) Centre for testing.
4. Assaying & Marking
The A&H Centre tests the article's purity through the prescribed method (XRF screening followed by fire assay, where required). Articles that meet the declared purity are laser-marked with the hallmark, including a unique HUID.
5. Sale with Hallmark
The jeweller displays and sells the article with the hallmark visible, along with a bill/invoice that records the hallmarking details of the article sold
Documents Required for Jeweller Registration
- Business constitution/registration proof
- GST Registration Certificate
- PAN of the business entity
- Identity & Address proof of Proprietor/Partner
- Authorisation letter for representative
- Brand/trade name details
- Any additional documents or declarations BIS may prescribe from time to time
How We Can Help
Navigating BIS hallmarking registration, recognition of Assaying & Hallmarking Centres, and ongoing compliance can be time-consuming for jewellers, refiners, and A&H Centre operators alike. Our team assists with:
- End-to-End BIS Jeweller Registration, including document preparation and online filing.
- Guidance on Assaying & Hallmarking Centre recognition and IS 15820:2009 compliance.
- Support with BIS surveillance audits, sample-failure responses, and regulatory correspondence.
- Advisory on mandatory hallmarking applicability, exemptions, and district-wise coverage updates.
