No More Fake Gold: Verify Purity for Just ₹45 Using BIS Care App — Stay Safe from Fraudulent Jewelers
Gold has always held a special place in Indian households, especially during festivals when buying gold ornaments or coins is considered auspicious. However, with rising prices, incidents of fake or impure gold being sold in the market have also increased. To protect buyers from such frauds, the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) has made gold hallmarking mandatory across most districts and launched a mobile app called BIS Care, which helps consumers easily verify the authenticity and purity of gold items.
This new system ensures that customers can confidently check the purity of their gold jewelry and avoid being misled by unscrupulous jewelers — all for just ₹45.
Why Checking Gold Purity Is Essential
According to market data, gold prices on the MCX have surged by over 50% in the past year. During festive seasons, when demand for gold spikes, some traders attempt to take advantage by selling mixed or low-quality gold.
To counter this, BIS has implemented hallmarking standards that guarantee the purity and quality of gold. Hallmarking serves as an official certification that a gold item meets the exact fineness and quality declared by the jeweler. It’s a legal assurance for buyers that what they’re purchasing is genuine.
As of November 14, 2024, 361 districts in India fall under mandatory hallmarking, meaning all gold jewelry sold in these regions must be BIS-hallmarked. Currently, India’s hallmarking standards apply to two precious metals — gold and silver.
How to Verify Gold Purity Using the BIS Care App
The BIS Care App, developed by the Bureau of Indian Standards, allows buyers to instantly check the authenticity of their gold jewelry. Every piece of hallmarked jewelry carries a six-digit Hallmark Unique Identification (HUID) number engraved on it.
Here’s how you can verify it:
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Download the BIS Care App from Google Play Store or Apple App Store.
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Open the app and click on the ‘Verify HUID’ option.
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Enter the six-digit HUID number printed on your jewelry.
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The app will instantly display details about the jeweler, item, and gold purity level.
This quick process helps you ensure that your jewelry is genuine and hallmarked by an authorized BIS center — even before making a purchase.
Testing Gold Purity at Authorized Centers
If you want to get your jewelry physically tested, you can visit any BIS-Recognized Assaying and Hallmarking Centre (AHC). These centers are open to consumers and test both hallmarked and non-hallmarked jewelry.
After testing, the AHC provides a detailed report that includes the accurate purity level and other identifying details of your jewelry. This official document serves as proof in case you ever need to raise a complaint or claim compensation.
What Is the Fee for Testing?
The BIS has set a nominal fee of ₹45 per item for purity testing at these centers. However, for bulk testing (a lot of multiple items), the minimum charge is ₹200.
If the test reveals that the gold jewelry’s purity is lower than what’s stamped or promised, the consumer becomes eligible for compensation. The jeweler must pay twice the difference in value based on purity shortfall, along with the testing fee.
This initiative ensures greater accountability and prevents jewelers from misleading buyers.
A Step Toward Consumer Protection
The BIS hallmarking and verification system marks a major step in strengthening consumer rights and ensuring transparency in India’s gold market. With just a smartphone and ₹45, buyers can now verify purity themselves, making fraud nearly impossible.
So, before making your next gold purchase this festive season, don’t just rely on the jeweler’s word — check the HUID on the BIS Care App and make sure your investment in gold is 100% authentic and secure.
