10 January

Identify Purity of Your Precious Jewellery

Gold jewellery is one of the most popular and valuable forms of investment in India. However, not all gold jewellery is of the same quality and purity. To protect the consumers from being cheated, the government has made it mandatory to sell Hallmarked jewellery in 256 districts of the country having at least one Assaying and Hallmarking centre ¹.

Hallmarking is a process of certifying the purity and fineness of gold jewellery by the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS), which is the national standards body of India. Hallmarked jewellery bears the BIS logo, the purity grade (such as 22K or 18K), and the Hallmark Unique Identification (HUID) number.

HUID is a six-digit alphanumeric code that is unique for every piece of Hallmarked jewellery. The BIS certified Assaying and Hallmarking centre stamps the jewellery with its mark and other symbols.
. HUID gives a distinct identity to each piece of jewellery and enables traceability. It also helps in addressing complaints regarding the purity of Hallmarked jewellery.

To check the authenticity of Hallmarked jewellery, you can use the BIS Care App, which is available in Hindi and English languages. You can download the app from the Google store and follow these steps:

Open the app and select “Verify HUID” option.

Enter the HUID number or scan the QR code on the jewellery.

The app will show you the details of the jewellery, such as date and place of hallmarking, purity grade, weight, etc.

You can also check the licence details of the jeweller and the Assaying and Hallmarking centre by selecting “Check Licence Details” option.

By using the BIS Care App, you can ensure that you are buying genuine and quality gold jewellery that conforms to the relevant Indian Standard. You can also report any complaint or feedback regarding Hallmarked jewellery through the app.

In this blog post, I will explain more about HUID, its benefits, and how to find it on your jewellery. I will also share some tips on how to buy gold jewellery wisely and avoid frauds.

What is HUID and why is it important?

HUID stands for Hallmark Unique Identification. It was introduced as part of the BIS hallmarking symbols on the gold jewellery from July 1, 2021 ². It is a six-digit alphanumeric code consisting of numbers and letters. HUID will be given to every piece of jewellery at the time of hallmarking and it is unique for every piece of jewellery. The jewellery is stamped with the unique number manually at the Assaying & Hallmarking centre ³.

HUID has several advantages for both consumers and jewellers. Some of them are:

HUID gives distinct identity to each piece of jewellery enabling traceability. It is critical to the credibility of Hallmarking and addressing complaints regarding purity of Hallmarked jewellery. It has been welcomed by the consumer groups ³.

HUID helps in preventing duplication or tampering of Hallmarked jewellery. If someone tries to alter or remove the HUID number, it will be easily detected by scanning or verifying it through the app ⁴.

HUID helps in ensuring transparency and accountability in the Hallmarking process. It records all the details of the jewellery, such as date and place of hallmarking, purity grade, weight, etc., which can be accessed by anyone through the app ⁴.

HUID helps in reducing human errors or malpractices in Hallmarking. In HUID based Hallmarking, registration of jewellers is automatic with no human interference. It is aimed at ensuring the purity of Hallmarked jewellery and check any fraud ³.

HUID helps in increasing consumer awareness and confidence in buying gold jewellery. It empowers consumers to verify their purchase and get true value for their money ⁴.

How to find HUID on your jewellery?

HUID is one of the three symbols that make up the Hallmark on your gold jewellery. The other two symbols are:

BIS logo: This indicates that the jewellery has been certified by BIS, which is an authorized agency for Hallmarking in India.
Purity grade: This indicates the fineness or karatage of gold in your jewellery. For example, 22K means 22 carat gold, which has 91.6% pure gold content.

HUID is usually stamped on a separate tag attached to your jewellery or on a hidden part of your jewellery that does not affect its design or appearance ⁴. You can find it by looking closely at your jewellery or using a magnifying glass if needed.

You can also scan your jewellery using a QR code scanner app on your smartphone or use the BIS Care App to verify the HUID number. The app will show you all the details of your jewellery, such as date and place of hallmarking, purity grade, weight, etc. You can also check the licence details of the jeweller and the Assaying and Hallmarking centre by selecting “Check Licence Details” option ⁴.

Here is a photo of a Hallmarked gold ring with its HUID number:

How to buy gold jewellery wisely and avoid frauds?

Buying gold jewellery is a big decision that involves a lot of money and emotions. Therefore, you should be careful and smart while making your purchase. Here are some tips that can help you buy gold jewellery wisely and avoid frauds:

Always buy Hallmarked jewellery from a reputed and registered jeweller. You can check the list of registered jewellers on the BIS website or the BIS Care App ⁵. You can also ask for a copy of the jeweller’s licence or certificate of registration before buying.

Always check the Hallmark symbols on your jewellery, especially the HUID number. You can verify the authenticity of your jewellery using the BIS Care App or any QR code scanner app. If you find any discrepancy or doubt, you can report it to the BIS or the consumer helpline ⁴.

Always ask for a proper invoice or bill for your purchase. The invoice should mention all the details of your jewellery, such as weight, purity grade, HUID number, etc. It should also mention the making charges, taxes, and other fees if applicable ⁴.

Always compare the prices of different jewellers before buying. You can use online tools or apps to check the current gold rate and calculate the approximate cost of your jewellery. You can also negotiate with the jeweller to get the best deal possible ⁴.

Always keep your jewellery in a safe and secure place. You can also get it insured for extra protection. You should also get your jewellery re-checked or re-hallmarked periodically to ensure its quality and value ⁴.

I hope you found this blog post useful and informative. If you have any questions or comments, please feel free to share them below. Thank you for reading! ????