Gold & Silver Jewellery Buying Guide: Hallmark, HUID, 925 Silver & Pricing

1. Check the BIS hallmark and HUID

The BIS hallmark is the Bureau of Indian Standards' certification of precious-metal purity. Hallmarking of gold jewellery became mandatory in India in June 2021, and since 1 April 2023 every hallmarked gold piece must carry a 6-digit HUID. A genuine gold hallmark has three marks:

• The BIS logo — the triangular BIS standard mark.
• Purity grade — karat and fineness, for example 22K916 or 18K750.
• HUID — a 6-digit alphanumeric code unique to that piece.

How to verify:install the official BIS CARE app, choose “Verify HUID” and enter the code. The app shows the purity, the type of article and the jeweller and hallmarking centre registered against it.

2. Understand karats and fineness

Karat (K) tells you how much of the metal is pure gold out of 24 parts. Fineness is the same thing expressed in parts per thousand, which is the number you will see on the hallmark.

3. Choose between 22K and 18K gold

Choose 22K for traditional jewellery — necklaces, bangles and bridal sets — where the rich yellow colour and higher gold content matter most.

Choose 18K for rings you will wear every day and for pieces set with stones. The extra alloy makes 18K harder, so it scratches and bends less and holds stones more securely.

4. Buying silver: 925 sterling vs 999 fine silver

925 sterling silver is 92.5% silver and 7.5% other metals, usually copper. The alloy makes it hard enough for rings, bracelets, payal and other jewellery that is worn every day.

999 fine silver is 99.9% pure. It is softer, so it is used for coins, bars, idols, thalis and other silverware rather than everyday jewellery.

Pieces sold as “70% silver” or similar contain less silver than sterling. Look for the fineness mark on the piece, and make sure the purity is written on the product page and your invoice. Gold-plated silver is priced as silver — the plating is a thin finish that can wear with time.

5. Understand how the price is calculated

The price of a gold or silver piece has three parts:

Price = Metal value + Making charge + 3% GST

• Metal value — today's gold or silver rate for the piece's weight and purity.
• Making charge — the cost of craftsmanship, either a percentage of the metal value or a fixed amount.
• GST — 3% on the metal value plus making charge.

Worked example (illustrative numbers):

At Shivam Jewellers, every product page shows this breakdown under “Price breakdown”, calculated from the live gold and silver rate.

6. Know your net and gross weight

Gross weight is the weight of the whole piece, including any stones, beads or enamel. Net weight is the weight of the precious metal alone. The metal value should be calculated on net weight — you should never pay the gold rate for the weight of stones. Our product pages list both weights.

7. Checklist before you buy

• Gold carries the BIS hallmark with a 6-digit HUID that you have verified in the BIS CARE app.
• Silver has its purity stated — 925 sterling or 999 fine silver — on the product page and invoice.
• The purity on the piece matches the purity on the price tag or product page.
• Net weight, gross weight and the making charge are stated clearly.
• The price uses today's gold rate — compare it with the live rate.
• You receive a GST invoice listing purity, weight, making charge and GST separately.
• You know the return policy before you pay.

8. Caring for gold and silver jewellery

• Store each piece separately in a soft pouch or lined box so pieces don't scratch each other.
• Put jewellery on after perfume, hairspray and lotion, and take it off before swimming or cleaning with chemicals.
• Clean gold with lukewarm water, a drop of mild soap and a soft brush, then dry with a soft cloth.
• Keep silver in an airtight pouch to slow tarnishing, and wipe it with a silver-polishing cloth when it darkens.