22 Carat Gold Hallmark Explained: BIS Certification & Purity Guide (2026)

What is a 22 Carat Gold Hallmark?

A 22 carat gold hallmark is a small set of symbols stamped or laser-engraved onto every piece of 22K gold jewellery sold legally in India. It is your government-certified proof that the gold is genuinely 91.6% pure, the standard purity grade for 22 carat gold.

Gold purity is measured in carats (or karats) on a 24-point scale. Pure gold is 24 carat (99.9% gold). For jewellery, pure gold is too soft to hold its shape, so it is alloyed with metals like copper, silver, or zinc to add strength. 22 carat gold contains 22 parts pure gold mixed with 2 parts alloy,  giving you 91.6% gold content. This is why every 22 carat gold hallmark includes the number "916."

The 22 carat gold hallmark is issued under the BIS Hallmarking Scheme, regulated by the Bureau of Indian Standards under the Ministry of Consumer Affairs. Since April 2023, BIS hallmarking is mandatory across India, selling unhallmarked gold jewellery is a punishable offence carrying penalties up to ₹1 lakh or five times the value of the unhallmarked items, whichever is greater.

The 5 Mandatory Components of a 22 Carat Gold Hallmark

A genuine 22 carat gold hallmark has five specific markings. If your jewellery is missing any of these, the hallmark is incomplete or potentially fake.

1. The BIS Logo (Triangle Mark)

A small triangle is the official Bureau of Indian Standards logo. This confirms the gold has been tested and certified by a BIS-recognised laboratory. If this triangle is missing, the gold is NOT BIS-hallmarked.

2. The Purity Mark - "916"

The number "916" stamped on your jewellery is the official purity mark for 22 carat gold. It indicates 91.6% pure gold content. Other purity marks you may see:

• 999 → 24K gold (99.9% pure)
• 958 → 23K gold (95.8% pure)
• 916 → 22K gold (91.6% pure)
• 750 → 18K gold (75% pure)
• 585 → 14K gold (58.5% pure)

3. The Assaying & Hallmarking Centre's Mark

A unique symbol identifying which BIS-licensed laboratory tested the gold. India has over 1,500 BIS-recognised hallmarking centres across major cities including Mumbai, Delhi, Bengaluru, Chennai, Hyderabad, Indore, Pune, Ahmedabad, and Jaipur.

4. The Jeweller's Identification Mark

A unique BIS-registered code for the jeweller who manufactured or sold the piece. This creates a clear chain of responsibility,  if there's a purity issue, the jeweller is identifiable and accountable.

5. The HUID Number (Hallmark Unique Identification)

A 6-digit alphanumeric code unique to every single piece of hallmarked gold jewellery in India. Since April 2023, the HUID is mandatory for all newly hallmarked items. You can verify the HUID instantly through the BIS Care App, which shows the jewellery's purity, weight, jeweller, and date of hallmarking.

Why is 22 Carat Gold Hallmarking Mandatory in India?

Until 2021, gold hallmarking in India was voluntary, which led to widespread purity fraud. Surprise inspections by BIS and industry research found that some unscrupulous jewellers were selling gold marked as 22K that contained only 18K (75%) or even 14K (58.5%) gold. Customers were losing thousands of rupees per piece on undetected purity manipulation.

To stop this, the BIS Hallmarking Scheme made hallmarking mandatory in phases:

Selling unhallmarked gold jewellery in covered districts is now a punishable offence under the BIS Act, 2016. Penalties include fines up to ₹1 lakh or five times the value of the unhallmarked gold, plus possible jail time.

For buyers, this is excellent news - every 22 carat gold hallmark you see on Indian jewellery in 2026 is government-backed, traceable, and legally enforceable.

22K vs 24K vs 18K vs 14K Gold - Complete Comparison

The right gold purity depends on what you're buying it for. Here's an honest comparison:

How to Check a 22 Carat Gold Hallmark, Step-by-Step

Verifying the 22 carat gold hallmark on your jewellery takes less than a minute. Here's exactly how:

Step 1: Locate the Hallmark Markings

Examine your jewellery closely. The 22 carat gold hallmark is usually stamped on:

• Inside surface of bangles and bracelets
• Inner band of rings
• The clasp or back of necklaces and chains
• The back of pendants and earrings

You may need a magnifying glass or your phone camera zoom to see clearly — the hallmark is small (1–2 mm).

Step 2: Confirm All 5 Components Are Present

Look for: BIS triangle logo + "916" purity mark + assaying centre symbol + jeweller's mark + 6-digit HUID. If any are missing, walk away.

Step 3: Download the BIS Care App

The Bureau of Indian Standards has an official free app called BIS Care. Available on Google Play Store (Android) and Apple App Store (iOS). Download it before you go shopping.

Step 4: Use the BIS Care App to Verify HUID

• Open the BIS Care App
• Tap "Verify HUID"
• Enter the 6-digit HUID number from your jewellery
• The app instantly shows: purity grade, weight, jeweller's name, hallmarking centre, and date of hallmarking

Step 5: Cross-Check Against Your Invoice

The hallmark details should match the invoice exactly:

• Purity grade (22K / 916)
• Weight of gold
• Jeweller's name and BIS registration number
• Date of hallmarking

If anything doesn't match, ask the jeweller. If they can't explain the discrepancy, return the piece.

Red Flags: How to Spot a Fake 22 Carat Gold Hallmark

Even with mandatory hallmarking, some fraudulent practices persist. Watch for these warning signs:

1. Missing HUID number - Any "hallmarked" jewellery without a 6-digit HUID is either pre-2023 or fake
2. Smudged or unclear markings - A genuine BIS hallmark is sharp and legible, never blurry
3. Old 4-digit hallmark code - Some old jewellery uses 4-digit IDs; these are no longer valid for new purchases as of April 2023
4. HUID not registering in BIS Care App - If the app shows "HUID not found," the hallmark is fake or the jeweller has not registered it properly
5. Purity number doesn't match the carat claim - If the jeweller calls it 22K but the hallmark shows 750 (18K), the seller is lying about purity
6. Hallmark in wrong location - Genuine hallmarks are stamped during manufacturing, not added later. Look for hallmarks on a structural part of the jewellery, not a decorative add-on
7. Pressure to skip verification - A genuine jeweller welcomes you verifying the BIS Care App. Anyone resisting this is suspect
8. Suspiciously low making charges with "free hallmarking" - Some scammers offer fake hallmarks as part of a low-cost package

Why Buy 18K Hallmarked Gold Jewellery from Goenka Jewellers?

At Goenka Jewellers, every piece of 18K gold jewellery comes with:

• Genuine BIS hallmark with verifiable HUID number
• Sharp, clear 22 carat gold hallmark stamped at BIS-licensed centres
• Transparent price breakup - gold weight × current gold rate, making charges, hallmarking fee, and GST listed separately
• Daily gold rate posted publicly - no hidden markups
• Lifetime exchange & buyback at current market rate minus a small spread
• Free BIS Care App verification at our showroom - we'll help you check the HUID in front of you
• No pressure selling - we welcome you taking time to verify

Whether you're buying a wedding set, a festival piece, or daily-wear bangles, we'll walk you through every detail - from the hallmark verification to the price breakup - with full transparency.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q. What is a 22 carat gold hallmark? A 22 carat gold hallmark is the official BIS certification mark stamped on gold jewellery that confirms it contains 91.6% pure gold. It includes five mandatory components: the BIS triangle logo, the "916" purity mark, the assaying centre's symbol, the jeweller's identification mark, and a 6-digit HUID number for traceability.

Q. What does 916 mean in 22K gold? The "916" stamped on 22 carat gold jewellery indicates 91.6% pure gold content. Since 22 parts of gold out of 24 equals 91.66% (rounded to 91.6%), "916" is the official BIS purity mark for 22K gold.

Q. Is hallmarking mandatory for 22K gold in India? Yes. Since April 2023, BIS hallmarking with a 6-digit HUID is legally mandatory for all gold jewellery sold by registered jewellers in covered districts across India. Selling unhallmarked gold is a punishable offence with penalties up to ₹1 lakh.

Q. How do I verify a 22 carat gold hallmark? Use the official BIS Care App (free on Google Play and App Store). Open the app, tap "Verify HUID," and enter the 6-digit HUID number from your jewellery. The app instantly shows the purity, weight, jeweller's name, hallmarking centre, and date of hallmarking.

Q. What is the HUID number on 22K gold? HUID stands for Hallmark Unique Identification. It is a 6-digit alphanumeric code unique to every hallmarked gold jewellery piece in India, mandatory since April 2023. The HUID allows full traceability and verification through the BIS Care App.

Q. Can a 22 carat gold hallmark be fake? Yes, fake hallmarks do exist - though rare with the new HUID system. Always verify the HUID through the BIS Care App. If the app shows "HUID not found" or details don't match the jewellery, the hallmark may be fake.

Q. What is the difference between 22K and 24K gold? 24K gold is 99.9% pure (hallmark "999") and very soft - best for investment coins and bars. 22K gold is 91.6% pure (hallmark "916") and durable enough for jewellery while retaining high gold content - best for wedding sets, bangles, and traditional pieces.

Q. Can I return 22K hallmarked gold jewellery? Return policies vary by jeweller, but hallmarked gold is widely accepted for buyback. Reputable jewellers like Goenka Jewellers offer lifetime exchange and buyback at current gold rates minus a small spread (typically 3-5%).

Q. What is the hallmarking charge for 22K gold? The BIS hallmarking fee is ₹45 per piece in 2026, regardless of weight. This is typically paid by the jeweller and passed to the buyer in the final invoice.

Q. Does hallmarked 22K gold have better resale value? Yes. Hallmarked 22K gold typically resells at 90-95% of current market rate. Unhallmarked gold may resell at only 75–85% because the buyer cannot independently verify purity. The 22 carat gold hallmark significantly increases liquidity and resale value.

Q. Where do I find the 22 carat gold hallmark on my jewellery? The hallmark is typically stamped on: the inside of bangles and bracelets, the inner band of rings, the clasp of chains and necklaces, and the back of pendants and earrings. Use a magnifying glass or your phone camera zoom to see clearly.

Q. Is 916 the same as 22K gold? Yes. "916" is the purity mark for 22 carat gold in the BIS hallmarking system. Both 916 gold and 22K gold refer to the same product — 91.6% pure gold mixed with 8.4% alloy metals for durability.