Gold Vs Silver Hallmarking: How To Identify Genuine Precious Metals Before Buying?

In major news, the Bureau of Indian Standards is likely to scale up silver hallmarking testing due to a surge in demand and the high cost of gold. Hallmarking is pivotal for buyers in India to ensure their favorite gold and silver jewelry is pure and genuine. However, hallmarking for both gold and silver does not have the same rules. For instance, gold hallmarking is mandatory, but in the case of silver, it is voluntary!

Silver Hallmarking

BIS officials reportedly said they are preparing to increase testing of silver jewelry as demand shifts from gold due to a spike in prices of the yellow metal.

BIS Deputy Director General (Laboratories) Nishat S Haque told PTI, "Last year, we introduced HUID for silver jewellery as well, and demand is increasing. We have taken stock of the requirements and are ready to take up silver jewellery testing in a big way in our laboratories."

She added, "We will be able to handle the requirement within our own labs for roughly the next two years. Within that period, we will be expanding referral and assay laboratories across the country."

What Is Hallmarking?

In general terms, hallmarking is an accurate determination and official recording of the proportionate content of precious metals like gold and silver. Thus, the BIS-engraved hallmarking guarantees the purity and fineness of gold and silver.

At present, hallmarking has been done on only two precious metals, i.e., gold and silver.

Gold Vs Silver Hallmarking:

Since June 2021, gold hallmarking has been made mandatory, with the latest entrant of 9-karat gold joining the list from July 2025 onward. In total, gold hallmarking is compulsory in 380 districts of India.

But silver, it is an optional process. BIS has not made silver hallmarking mandatory and continues to be a voluntary procedure for jewelers.

The purity grades covered for gold are 9K, 14K, 18K, 20K, 22K, 23K, and 24K.

For silver: 800, 835, 925, 958, 970, 990, and 999 purity are hallmarked as of now.

However, in case of violation, there is up to 5x item value or jail of 1 year in mandatory zones where gold is hallmarked. But in case of silver, no penalty is announced yet.

Despite this, hallmarking for silver has witnessed a significant surge over the past two years. Hallmarked silver rose from 32 lakh in FY 2024-25 to roughly around 59 lakh in FY 2025-26. This is due to the introduction of a unique six-digit HUID code for white metals since September 2025, just like gold.

HUID is a Hallmark Unique Identification (HUID) number, and it is one of the components of the hallmark. It is a six-digit alphanumeric number that is unique for each hallmarked item and is traceable. Customers can also verify the HUID number in the BIS Care App using the 'Verify HUID' feature, as per the BIS explainer.

The main objective of hallmarking gold and silver is to protect customers from any irregularities, fakes, and frauds in gold and silver that are linked to their purity. The move is to develop India as a leading gold market center in the world and to develop export competitiveness.

In the past year, BIS tested approximately 270,000 product samples. It now operates 10 of its own laboratories across the country.

How To Identify Genuine Gold & Silver?

Step 1: Check the BIS logo on the piece of jewellery. A small triangle symbol will be visible.

Step 2: Check the purity or fineness mark such as 916 for 22 carat gold, 750 for 18 carat, and 585 purity for 14 carat gold. The 999 purity is for 24 carat gold and silver.

Irrespective of the purity visible on your jewelry, it is always safe to identify its genuineness at the BIS Care app.

Step 1: Download the BIS Care app from iOS App Store or the Play Store.

Step 2: Click on the "Verify HUID" option. Enter or scan the HUID code mentioned on the piece of jewelry or on the invoice.

Step 3: The BIS Care app will show its purity, type of jewelry, and registered jeweler's information.

If all three protocols match during the purchase, then the jewelry is genuine. If it does not, they are fake!

Disclaimer: The views and recommendations expressed are solely those of the individual analysts or entities and do not reflect the views of Goodreturns.in or Greynium Information Technologies Private Limited (together referred as "we"). We do not guarantee, endorse or take responsibility for the accuracy, completeness or reliability of any content, nor do we provide any investment advice or solicit the purchase or sale of securities. All information is provided for informational and educational purposes only and should be independently verified from licensed financial advisors before making any investment decisions.