Gold hallmarking explained: What are the charges to get gold jewelry hallmarked & how to verify HUID

Gold hallmarking explained: Starting July 1, 2023, the government has made it mandatory for all gold jewelry and antiques in the market to bear a six-digit hallmark. Once the jewelry is hallmarked, this marking remains valid for the entire lifetime of the jewelry.
The third phase of this mandatory hallmarking, under the Hallmarking of Gold Jewelry and Gold Artifacts (Third Amendment) Order, 2023, came into effect on September 8, 2023, according to an ET report.
To ensure the authenticity and purity of hallmarked gold jewelry items, consumers are encouraged to use the ‘verify HUID’ feature in the BIS Care app, which can be downloaded from the Play Store.
What is hallmarking?
Hallmarking involves accurately determining and officially recording the proportionate content of precious metal in these articles. Hallmarks are official marks that serve as a guarantee of the purity or fineness of precious metal items in India.
What is a HUID number?
The Hallmark Unique Identification (HUID) number, as described on the Department of Consumer Affairs website, is a unique alphanumeric code comprising six digits. Each piece of jewelry receives a HUID number at the time of hallmarking, and these numbers are distinct. At the Assaying & Hallmarking center, the jewelry is hand-stamped with this unique number.

Hallmarked jewelry offers third-party assurance and ensures that customers receive the correct purity of gold or silver for the price paid, providing value for money.
How to check authenticity of gold jewelry using BIS Care app?
Checking the authenticity of hallmarked gold jewelry using the BIS Care app is a straightforward process. The ‘verify HUID’ feature on the BIS Care App allows consumers to do this. The app is accessible on the Google Play Store and is available in both Hindi and English.
To perform the verification, users need to download the app and navigate to the “check license details” section, which is used for authenticating ISI-branded products. For verifying hallmarked jewelry, users should proceed to the “verify HUID” section.
How much does it cost to get a gold article hallmarked?
Hallmarking charges are applied per article, regardless of the article’s weight. The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) announced an increase in the hallmarking fee for gold jewelry and artifacts to Rs 45 per item from Rs 35 on March 4, 2022. Similarly, the hallmarking fee for silver jewelry and artifacts was raised to Rs 35 per item, up from Rs 25. However, there has been no increase in the minimum consignment fee for hallmarking gold and silver jewelry or artifacts.
Hallmarking charges for gold articles:

Hallmarking charges for silver articles:

It’s important to note that hallmark charges do not cover making charges or wastage charges.

Can a regular person get his or her hallmarked jewelry examined for purity?
Regular individuals can have their hallmarked jewelry examined for purity by paying a testing fee of Rs. 200 at any BIS-approved Assaying & Hallmarking (A&H) center. The list of BIS-recognized A&H centers is available under the hallmarking category on the BIS website, bis.gov.in.