The short answer
HUID (Hallmarking Unique Identification) is a six-character alphanumeric code, such as AB1C23, that a BIS-recognised hallmarking centre laser-marks on each hallmarked piece. Since 1 April 2023, hallmarked gold jewellery sold in India must carry it. Since 1 September 2025, silver that is hallmarked must carry one too, although silver hallmarking itself is still voluntary.
To check a HUID, open the free BIS Care app, choose Verify HUID and type the code. The app should show the article type, purity, the jeweller’s registration and the hallmarking centre. If what it shows does not match the piece and the bill, do not buy.
What the hallmark looks like now
A current Indian gold hallmark has three parts:
| Mark | What it means | Example |
|---|---|---|
| BIS standard mark | The triangle logo of the Bureau of Indian Standards | ▲ BIS logo |
| Purity grade | Karat and fineness in parts per thousand | 22K916, 18K750, 14K585 |
| HUID | A unique six-character code for this piece | AB1C23 (illustrative) |
The older four-mark hallmark showed a jeweller’s mark, a centre’s mark and a year letter instead of a HUID. Pieces with the old marks that you already own are still valid hallmarked jewellery. The rule change affects what a jeweller may sell. The Ministry of Consumer Affairs stated that, after 31 March 2023, hallmarked gold jewellery without a HUID could not be sold (Department of Consumer Affairs release, republished on the government portal Vikaspedia; see also GJEPC Solitaire).
For silver, the revised standard IS 2112:2025 introduced HUID-based hallmarking from 1 September 2025. The mark has three parts: the BIS standard mark with the word “SILVER”, a purity grade and a HUID. The grades are 800, 835, 925, 958, 970, 990 and 999 (All India Radio News). Silver hallmarking remains voluntary, so an unhallmarked silver piece is not illegal. A hallmarked one made after that date should carry a HUID.
Where to find the HUID on your jewellery
The marks are tiny, usually under a millimetre high. Use a 10× loupe or your phone’s camera zoom, in good light.
- Rings: the inside of the shank, usually opposite the top.
- Chains: the tag or plate near the clasp, or on the clasp itself.
- Bangles and kadas: the inner surface.
- Earrings: the back of the post, the hook or the back plate.
- Pendants: the back, or the bail (the loop the chain passes through).
- Coins and bars: coins and bars are covered by separate BIS rules. Look for the purity and a serial number on the face or the packaging, and ask the seller what they are certified to.
If you cannot find a HUID on gold jewellery bought new after April 2023, ask the jeweller to point it out before you pay. A very small or very intricate piece may be marked somewhere unexpected, but the jeweller should be able to show you.
How to verify a HUID in the BIS Care app
- Install BIS Care, published by the Bureau of Indian Standards. The government’s release directs consumers to its “Verify HUID” option.
- Open “Verify HUID” and type the six characters exactly. Letters and numbers are easy to confuse, such as O and 0, or I and 1, so check the loupe image twice.
- Read the result and compare it with the piece and your invoice: the article type (ring, chain, bangle), the purity (for example 22K916), the jeweller’s registration number and hallmarking centre, and, for silver hallmarked after 1 September 2025 and some gold records, the date of hallmarking.
- Keep a screenshot with your bill.
A mismatch is a stop sign. A result saying “ring” for a chain, a different purity, or no record at all means you should not complete the purchase until it is explained in writing.
What a HUID check proves, and what it does not
| A HUID check confirms | It does not confirm |
|---|---|
| A hallmark record exists for that code | That the piece in your hand is the piece that was tested (codes can be copied onto another item) |
| The declared article type and purity | The weight of the piece. Weigh it, and check the bill’s gross and net weight |
| Which registered jeweller and centre are linked to it | The quality of any gemstones, or their identity |
| Fair making charges or price |
Because a code could, in principle, be copied, the check is strongest together with:
- a bill from a BIS-registered jeweller showing HUID, purity, gross and net weight;
- matching weight on a jeweller’s scale;
- for high-value pieces, a test at a BIS-recognised Assaying and Hallmarking Centre. Our gold buying guide explains purity testing and making charges.
“916” and “BIS hallmark”: are they the same?
Not exactly. 916 is a fineness figure: 91.6% gold, which is 22 karat. Anyone can stamp “916” on a piece. A BIS hallmark is the combination of the BIS logo, the purity grade (such as 22K916) and the HUID, applied by a recognised centre after testing. A piece stamped only “916” has a claim on it, not a hallmark.
When you are selling or exchanging old gold
Older hallmarked pieces without a HUID, and unhallmarked pieces, can still be sold or exchanged. They are tested at the time of sale. The HUID rules restrict what jewellers sell new. Our old gold exchange checklist covers how buyers value old gold.
Quick checklist at the counter
- Find the three marks with a loupe: logo, purity and HUID.
- Verify the HUID in BIS Care before paying.
- Compare the app’s article type and purity with the piece and the bill.
- Check the bill for HUID, purity, gross and net weight, and making charges.
- Weigh the piece yourself if you can.
- Keep the bill and a screenshot of the verification.
FAQ
What does HUID stand for?
Hallmarking Unique Identification. It is a six-character alphanumeric code given to each hallmarked article.
Is HUID mandatory for gold?
For gold jewellery sold as hallmarked in India, yes. The government stated that from 1 April 2023 hallmarked gold jewellery could not be sold without a HUID. Some small items and specific categories have exemptions, so ask the jeweller if a piece has no HUID.
Is HUID mandatory for silver?
Silver hallmarking is voluntary. Since 1 September 2025, silver that is hallmarked under IS 2112:2025 carries a HUID, and buyers can check it in BIS Care.
Can I verify a HUID without the app?
The government directs consumers to the BIS Care app’s “Verify HUID” option. Check BIS’s own website for any other official route; do not rely on third-party “HUID checker” websites.
My old jewellery has no HUID. Is it fake?
No. HUID marking began in 2021 and became the only permitted marking for new sales in 2023. Older pieces may carry the earlier four-part hallmark, or none. Their purity can be tested when you sell or exchange them.
Does a valid HUID mean the gemstones are real?
No. The hallmark covers the precious metal only. Gemstones need their own documentation; see our gemstone buying guide.
Sources
- Department of Consumer Affairs, “Sale of hallmarked gold jewellery or gold artefacts without HUID prohibited after 31st March 2023”, republished on Vikaspedia, checked 10 October 2026.
- GJEPC Solitaire, Hallmarked jewellery with 6-digit HUID made mandatory from 1st April, checked 10 October 2026.
- All India Radio News, Government introduces digital hallmarking system for silver jewellery with HUID, 4 September 2025, checked 10 October 2026.
- SCC Online, Hallmarking Unique Identification for silver jewellery and articles, checked 10 October 2026.
