BIS Hallmark and HUID Check on Gold in Delhi
Sun Sea Jewellers, Karol Bagh, New Delhi · 20 October 2026
If you buy gold jewellery in Delhi today, you will hear two terms again and again: BIS hallmark and HUID. Many buyers nod along without being sure what each one means or how to check it. This guide explains both in plain language, so that you can look at a piece of gold, read the marks, and confirm them yourself. We are a family jeweller in Karol Bagh, and we think an informed buyer is good for everyone.
One note before we begin. Hallmarking rules can be updated, so for anything specific please check the current rule on the official BIS sources.
What a BIS hallmark actually is
BIS is the Bureau of Indian Standards, the national standards body. A BIS hallmark on gold jewellery is a stamp that tells you the piece has been tested for purity by an authorised hallmarking centre, rather than just being described as pure by the seller. The mark exists so that the purity written on the bill is something you can verify independently, not just take on trust.
The three parts of a hallmark
A BIS hallmark on gold jewellery includes these elements:
- The BIS mark: the standards-body logo, which shows the piece falls under the hallmarking system.
- The purity, shown in carat and fineness: for example, 22K is shown along with a number for fineness, which tells you how much of the metal is gold.
- The HUID: a 6-character alphanumeric code, made of letters and numbers, that is unique to that piece.
These marks are tiny and usually sit on the inside of a ring, on the clasp area of a chain, or on a flat surface of a pendant or earring. A jeweller's loupe or a magnifying glass helps. At our showroom we are happy to point out the marks and let you look through a loupe yourself.
Why the HUID matters
HUID stands for Hallmark Unique Identification. Because each piece carries its own code, the hallmark is no longer a generic stamp. It is linked to a record for that specific item. That means a buyer can match what is stamped on the jewellery with what is recorded for it, and can notice if the details do not line up.
In practice, the HUID is the most useful thing for a customer to note down. Write it down or take a photo of it when you buy, and keep it with the invoice.
How to verify the hallmark using the BIS Care app
The BIS Care app is the official mobile app from the Bureau of Indian Standards. It includes a way to verify a hallmarked piece using its HUID. The exact screens and menu names can change as the app is updated, so we keep the steps general:
- Download the BIS Care app from your phone's official app store.
- Open the section for verifying a hallmarked jewellery item.
- Enter the 6-character HUID printed on the piece.
- Compare what the app shows, such as the type of article and the purity, with what is on your invoice and what the jeweller told you.
If the details match, you have independent confirmation. If something does not match, or the app cannot find the HUID, speak to the jeweller calmly and ask for an explanation before you finish the purchase. Check the code character by character first.
What the invoice should say
The bill is your record, so it should describe the piece clearly. A good gold jewellery invoice should state:
- The item description, for example necklace, ring or earrings.
- The gold weight and purity.
- The gold value, calculated from the weight and the day's rate.
- Making charges as a separate line.
- For pieces with stones, the stone details and their value as separate lines.
- GST and the total.
The purity on the invoice should agree with the purity in the hallmark, and many jewellers also list the HUID against the item. At Sun Sea, every price is broken down this way: gold weight and purity, gold value, diamond value with carat and shape, side diamonds if any, making charges, and a flat 3% GST on the whole total. We also have a post on reading a gold bill and comparing quotes if you want the full picture.
What if a piece has no hallmark?
Not every piece you may encounter is hallmarked. Older jewellery from before hallmarking became widespread, family heirlooms, and some items from informal sources may carry no BIS mark. There are also categories and situations where the rules differ, so it is worth checking the current guidelines rather than assuming.
If you are buying a new piece and it has no hallmark, ask the jeweller why and what the arrangement is. Do not accept a vague answer. If you already own an unhallmarked piece, it is still gold, but its purity is simply unverified. You can ask a hallmarking centre or a jeweller you trust about testing options. For new purchases, our simple advice is to prefer pieces that carry the full mark and a HUID.
Why it matters when you sell or exchange
Hallmarking is not only about the day you buy. When you later want to sell or exchange gold, the purity of the piece is what determines its value. A hallmarked piece gives both you and the buyer a clear, independent statement of purity, which can make the conversation simpler. Keeping the original invoice and the HUID together makes this even easier. Terms differ between shops, so ask before you buy.
The same logic applies to gifting gold coins and bars. We have covered the paperwork side for businesses in our guide to BIS hallmark and GST invoices for corporate gold coins, and the reasoning behind choosing known brands in our post on MMTC-PAMP gold coins.
How we present hallmark details at Sun Sea
We believe the right way to deal with hallmarking is to make it easy to see. When you look at a piece with us, we show you the marks, read out the purity, and note the HUID. The invoice then carries the full breakup of the price, so that nothing about the purity or the cost is left to memory. You are welcome to check the HUID in the BIS Care app while you are still at the counter.
Visiting us in Karol Bagh
Sun Sea Jewellers is at 2659 Gurudwara Rd, Block 46, Beadonpura, Karol Bagh, New Delhi 110005. We are open Tuesday to Sunday, 11:30 am to 7:30 pm, and closed on Mondays. The nearest metro is Karol Bagh on the Blue Line. Free street parking and on-site parking are listed on our Google listing. You can call +91 88608 66000, and we accept credit and debit cards and Google Pay. Our visit page has the details, and you can check the day's gold rate on our rates page before you come.
Quick FAQ
What is the difference between a BIS hallmark and a HUID?
The BIS hallmark is the whole set of marks on a piece, including the BIS logo, the purity in carat and fineness, and the HUID. The HUID is one part of it: a 6-character alphanumeric code that is unique to that individual piece and can be checked through the BIS Care app.
Can I check a HUID myself without asking the jeweller?
Yes. The BIS Care app lets you verify a hallmarked item using its HUID, so you can check the details on your own phone. Menus can change over time, so use the app's own prompts, and compare the result with your invoice.
Is it safe to buy gold jewellery that has no hallmark?
An unhallmarked piece has purity that is not independently verified, which makes it harder to be sure of what you are paying for or to resell later. Rules on what must be hallmarked can change, so check the current requirement, and for new purchases we recommend choosing hallmarked pieces with a HUID.
Does the purity on my invoice have to match the hallmark?
It should. If the invoice says 22K, the hallmark on the piece should show 22K as well. If the two differ, ask the jeweller to explain before you pay, and keep a photo of the mark and the HUID with your bill.