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HallMarking

BIS Hallmarking certifies the purity of gold and silver jewellery and is mandatory for jewellers across India. We handle BIS...

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Key takeaways

BIS Hallmarking certifies the purity and fineness of gold and silver, regulated by the Bureau of Indian Standards.
It is mandatory for jewellers under the Hallmarking of Gold Jewellery and Artefacts Order (effective 16 June 2021), now enforced across 350+ districts.
The common grades are BIS 916 (22K, 91.6%), 750 (18K), 585 (14K) for gold and 999/925 for silver.
Jewellers need a BIS Hallmark registration for each sales outlet; a separate registration is needed for silver.
Purity is tested and stamped at a BIS-recognised Assaying and Hallmarking Centre (AHC).
Every hallmarked item carries the BIS logo, the purity mark and a six-digit HUID.

Overview

What is Hallmarking Certification?

Hallmarking Certification is the official process of verifying the purity and fineness of precious metals, primarily gold and silver, regulated by the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS). The hallmark is a stamp on the article that certifies its purity against defined Indian Standards.

Purity cannot be judged by touch or sight alone, so two identical-looking ornaments can differ completely in gold content. Hallmarking removes that uncertainty: it assures buyers of genuine purity and gives jewellers a credible, legally recognised mark of quality.

What a BIS hallmark certifies

BIS 916 for 22K gold (91.6% pure)
BIS 750 for 18K gold (75%)
BIS 585 for 14K gold (58.5%)
BIS 999 for fine silver / 24K gold (99.9%)
BIS 925 for sterling silver (92.5%)
A six-digit HUID for traceability of the item

The mark

Grades & the hallmark structure

Under the BIS (Hallmarking) Regulations, 2018, every hallmark carries a defined set of marks. Purity is tested against IS 1417 and assayed under IS 15820.

Grade	Purity
BIS 916	22K gold (91.6%)
BIS 750	18K gold (75%)
BIS 585	14K gold (58.5%)
BIS 999 / 925	Fine and sterling silver

Mark on the item	Meaning
BIS logo	Bureau of Indian Standards mark
Purity / fineness	916, 750, 585, and so on
HUID	Six-digit unique ID for traceability
Jeweller’s mark	BIS-registered jeweller code

Why it matters

Benefits of hallmarking

Consumer protection

Buyers are guaranteed the purity they pay for, with legal recourse if it falls short.

Seller credibility

A BIS hallmark builds trust with customers, partners and large showrooms.

Legal compliance

Hallmarking is mandatory for jewellers under the BIS order across notified districts.

Better resale value

Hallmarked jewellery commands higher resale and insurance value.

Transparent pricing

Price matches certified purity, removing disputes over fineness.

Export readiness

Certified purity is expected in international jewellery markets.

Compliance

Why hallmarking is mandatory

From 16 June 2021, the Government of India made hallmarking compulsory for jewellers under the Hallmarking of Gold Jewellery and Artefacts Order. It is now enforced across 350+ districts, and registered jewellers may sell hallmarked gold only through certified outlets under the BIS (Hallmarking) Regulations, 2018.

Why the order exists

Protects buyers from fraud and misrepresentation of purity
Builds transparency and confidence in the jewellery trade
Enables legal remedy for customers
Ensures fair pricing and assured purity

How it works

The registration process, step by step

Hallmark registration for jewellers is filed online with BIS and is specific to each sales location.

Jeweller registration

Prepare documents
We organise the GST certificate, ID/address proof, business registration and supporting papers for each outlet.
File the application
We file the online Form-I application for registration with BIS on your behalf and pay the prescribed fee.
Inspection
A BIS officer may inspect once the application, documents and fee are in order.
Certificate
On a satisfactory review, the Hallmark registration certificate is issued and shared with you.

Testing at an AHC

Receiving
Jewellery is received and sorted by the purity claimed for each lot.
XRF check
Fineness is screened by X-ray fluorescence against the declared standard.
Fire assay
Samples are assayed under IS 1418 / IS 15820 to confirm the exact gold or silver content.
Marking
Conforming items are stamped with the BIS logo, purity mark and HUID.

Paperwork

Documents required

Business registration certificate or partnership deed
GST registration certificate
Income-tax assessment order
Premises / property documents
Aadhaar or other identity proof of the proprietor or partners
Completed Form-I (jeweller registration)

Forms & scope

Key forms

Form-I: jeweller registration to sell hallmarked articles
Form-IV / V / VII: recognition and renewal of an Assaying & Hallmarking Centre under IS 15820
Form-VIII / XIII: grant and renewal of a license to use the hallmark
Separate registration is required for selling silver articles

Need a related BIS scheme? See our ISI Mark and CRS Certification services.

Who needs it

Who must be hallmark-registered

Retail jewellers selling gold or silver articles
Manufacturers and artisans creating jewellery
Exporters and online jewellery sellers
Refiners and importers of precious metals

Opening a new outlet?

Registration is location-specific. Tell us how many outlets and whether you sell gold, silver or both, and we will register each one correctly.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

What is hallmarking for gold and silver?

Hallmarking is the testing and certifying of the purity of gold or silver, marked with an official BIS stamp. It confirms the item meets the required purity standards, verified by a government-recognised hallmarking centre.

What does the 916 BIS hallmark mean?

916 means the gold is 91.6% pure, that is 22 karat. The BIS hallmark assures the buyer the gold is genuine and accurate to its stated purity.

Is hallmarking mandatory in India?

Yes. Since 16 June 2021 it is mandatory for jewellers under the Hallmarking of Gold Jewellery and Artefacts Order, now enforced across 350+ districts.

Do I need a separate registration for each outlet?

Yes. BIS hallmark registration is location-specific, so each sales outlet needs its own registration, and silver sales need a separate registration.

Who tests and stamps the jewellery?

Purity is tested and stamped at a BIS-recognised Assaying and Hallmarking Centre (AHC) using XRF screening and the fire assay test under IS 15820.

What is the HUID?

The HUID is a six-digit unique identification number stamped on each hallmarked item, allowing it to be traced back to the jeweller and the marking centre.

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