Buying gold jewellery or coins is easier when you understand purity and hallmarking. Since 1 April 2023 every hallmarked item must carry a 6-digit HUID, which you can verify on the BIS CARE app.
Key takeaways
- 24K (999) is for coins and bars; 22K (916) is standard for jewellery; 18K (750) for diamond/stone-set pieces.
- A valid hallmark has three marks: BIS logo, purity grade and HUID.
- Resale value is based on net gold weight and purity — making charges are lost.
- Compare the effective price per gram (total bill ÷ weight) across jewellers.
Purity at a glance
| Karat | Fineness | Gold content | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| 24K | 999 | 99.9% | Coins, bars |
| 22K | 916 | 91.6% | Most jewellery |
| 18K | 750 | 75% | Diamond jewellery |
| 14K | 585 | 58.5% | Daily wear |
| 9K | 375 | 37.5% | Budget pieces |
How to verify a hallmark
- Find the HUID on the piece (use a magnifier).
- Open the BIS CARE app → Verify HUID.
- Match jeweller, purity and article type.
- Report mismatches in the app.
Buying checklist
- Ask for the day's board rate for your karat.
- Get making charges, stone weight and hallmark fee itemised.
- Ask about buy-back and exchange deductions.
- Pay digitally; PAN needed for purchases of ₹2 lakh or more.
Your action checklist
- Check today's city rate for your purity before visiting a jeweller.
- Insist on BIS hallmark with HUID and verify it on the BIS CARE app.
- Get making charges, stone weight and GST itemised on the invoice.
- For investment, prefer regulated paper options (ETF, gold/silver funds).
- Keep invoices for capital-gains calculation when you sell.
FAQs
Is 22K better than 24K for jewellery?
Yes — 24K is too soft for most designs.
What if my hallmarked piece is found impure?
BIS rules provide compensation of twice the shortfall value plus testing charges.
Read the full hallmark guide.
