Before you spend money on silver or gold jewellery, there is one thing worth understanding. It takes five minutes to learn. It could save you from spending money on something that is not what it claims to be.
What is BIS Hallmark on Jewellery?
BIS hallmark is a government certification issued by the Bureau of Indian Standards confirming that a piece of jewellery has been independently tested and meets its declared purity standard. On silver jewellery, you will see three marks: the BIS triangular logo with the word SILVER, a purity number (such as 925), and a unique six-digit HUID code. The HUID links each piece to a traceable digital record you can verify for free using the BIS Care app.
Walk into any jewellery market in India — or browse online — and you will encounter the word "hallmark" everywhere. It appears on product listings, price tags, receipts, and display cases. Some sellers use it to justify a higher price. Others use it loosely, without any certification behind it.
Most buyers know vaguely that hallmark means something good. But few know exactly what it means, what to look for on the piece itself, or how to confirm in two minutes whether a hallmark is genuine or just a stamp the seller added themselves.
This guide explains all of it — in plain language, without the jargon. By the end, you will know exactly what a BIS hallmark is, what each mark means, and how to verify any piece before you hand over your money.
What BIS Hallmark Actually Is
BIS stands for Bureau of Indian Standards — the government body responsible for setting quality and safety standards across industries in India. Hallmarking is the process by which a piece of jewellery is tested by a BIS-accredited assay centre and then stamped with a certification mark confirming its purity.
The important word there is independent. The hallmark is not applied by the jeweller. It is applied by an accredited testing laboratory — a third party with no stake in the sale — after the metal has been tested and confirmed to meet the stated purity. This is what separates a BIS hallmark from a simple purity stamp.
BIS Hallmark vs a Purity Stamp — The Critical Difference
A purity stamp (like "925" or "S925") is something a seller or manufacturer can apply themselves, at any point, with no testing required. There is nothing stopping anyone from stamping "925" on a piece that contains far less silver. It happens more often than most buyers realise.
A BIS hallmark is different. The piece must be physically submitted to a BIS-recognised Assaying and Hallmarking Centre. That centre tests the metal, verifies the purity, and only then applies the hallmark marks. The jeweller cannot apply the BIS mark themselves — only the accredited centre can. This independent verification is the entire value of the hallmark system.
The Three Marks on Hallmarked Silver
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Since September 2025, BIS-hallmarked silver jewellery in India follows a three-mark system under IS 2112:2025. Every genuine hallmarked silver piece must show all three marks — if any one is missing, the hallmark is incomplete.
THE THREE BIS MARKS ON SILVER JEWELLERY
What About Older Hallmarked Silver?
Before September 2025, the older silver hallmarking system used four marks — the BIS logo, purity grade, assay centre mark, and jeweller ID. Pieces hallmarked under that system remain perfectly legitimate. The difference is that older pieces do not have a HUID code, so you cannot verify them digitally. They are still genuinely certified — just from the pre-HUID era.
Silver Purity Grades — What the Numbers Mean
The purity number on a silver piece tells you exactly how much of the item is pure silver, expressed as parts per thousand. A piece marked 925 contains 925 parts of silver out of every 1,000 — or 92.5% pure silver.
| Purity Mark | Silver Content | Common Name | Typical Use |
|---|---|---|---|
| 925 Most Common | 92.5% | Sterling Silver | Jewellery — the global standard for fine silver jewellery |
| 958 | 95.8% | Britannia Silver | Fine jewellery — softer, more prone to wear |
| 970 | 97.0% | High Purity Silver | Premium jewellery — expensive, less durable |
| 990 | 99.0% | Fine Silver | Artefacts and coins — rarely used in wearable jewellery |
| 835 | 83.5% | Low-Grade Silver | Some artefacts — uncommon in modern jewellery |
Why 925 is the Right Choice for Jewellery
Pure silver at 999 or 990 is beautiful but impractical — it is soft, bends easily, and does not hold its shape well in intricate designs. Adding a small amount of copper (the 7.5% in 925 sterling silver) gives the metal the strength it needs for daily wear without compromising the precious metal character. This is why 925 sterling silver is the international standard for fine silver jewellery, and the grade used across the White Rose collection.
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The HUID Code — Why It Changed Everything
Before the HUID system, India's hallmarking framework had one significant weakness: there was no way to digitally verify whether a hallmark was genuine. A skilled forger could replicate the physical marks with the right stamp tools, and there was no database to cross-check against.
The HUID (Hallmark Unique Identification) system, introduced for gold in April 2021 and extended to silver from September 2025, changed this completely. Every piece that goes through BIS hallmarking now receives a six-digit alphanumeric code — unique to that specific article — that is linked to a digital database maintained by BIS.
What the HUID Contains
When you enter a HUID into the BIS Care app, the record shows: the jeweller who submitted the piece for hallmarking, the BIS-accredited assay centre that tested it, the certified purity grade, the date of hallmarking, and the article type. This makes forgery significantly harder — a fake stamp will show nothing in the database, or the details will not match.
Look for a Tiny Engraved Code
The HUID is laser-engraved on the piece — usually on the inner surface of a ring or bangle, on the clasp of a necklace or bracelet, or on the back of earring posts. It is small and may require good light or a magnifying glass to read clearly. On new White Rose pieces, your invoice should also list the HUID, purity grade, and weight separately.
How to Verify a BIS Hallmark in 60 Seconds
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This is the part most guides skip — the actual verification step. Here is how to confirm any hallmark is genuine, using the free BIS Care app, before you finalise a purchase.
Download the free official BIS Care app from the Google Play Store (Android) or Apple App Store (iOS). Search "BIS Care" — it is published by the Bureau of Indian Standards. It is free and takes under a minute to install.
Ask the jeweller for a magnifying glass if needed. Find the six-digit alphanumeric code laser-engraved on the inner surface, clasp, or back of the piece. Write it down or photograph it clearly — the digits and letters must be exact.
Open the BIS Care app. On the home screen, tap "Verify HUID." The interface is straightforward — you do not need to create an account or log in.
Type the HUID exactly as engraved. The app will immediately return the digital record — or tell you the code does not exist in the database.
Compare the jeweller name, purity grade (should match what is engraved), assay centre, and date against your invoice. If the details match and the result is positive — the hallmark is genuine. If the code returns nothing, or the details do not match what you were told — do not proceed with the purchase.
Use the BIS Website Instead
The same HUID lookup is available on the BIS website through any browser. Visit bis.gov.in and use the HUID verification tool. A smartphone is not required — any device with internet access works.
Is BIS Hallmarking Mandatory for Silver in India?
This is a question many buyers ask — and where a lot of incorrect information circulates online. The honest answer as of October 2026: silver hallmarking in India is voluntary, not mandatory.
Gold hallmarking has been mandatory across India for jewellers in designated districts since June 2021. Silver does not have that same mandatory status yet. A jeweller can legally sell unhallmarked silver in India without violating any law — as long as they do not make false purity claims.
However — and this matters — any silver piece that a jeweller chooses to hallmark must now follow the IS 2112:2025 standard, which requires the three-mark system including the HUID. A jeweller cannot partially hallmark something under the new rules.
Voluntary Does Not Mean Unsafe
The fact that silver hallmarking is voluntary means you need to ask the right questions. Is this piece BIS hallmarked? Can I see the HUID? Does your invoice list the purity grade and HUID? A reputable seller will answer yes to all three. If a seller claims their silver is "925 certified" but cannot provide a HUID — that is not a BIS hallmark. It is a self-applied purity stamp.
How to Spot a Fake Hallmark
As the hallmarking system has grown in awareness, so have attempts to fake it. Here is what to look for.
The HUID Test is the Most Reliable
No amount of skill in replicating physical marks can fake a HUID that does not exist in the BIS database. If the HUID verification on the BIS Care app shows no result, the hallmark is not genuine — regardless of how convincing the physical marks look. This is the single most reliable check available to any buyer.
Red Flags to Watch For
Be cautious if: a seller is reluctant to let you verify the HUID before purchase. The price seems significantly lower than comparable hallmarked pieces from other sellers. The piece has a "925" stamp but no BIS triangular logo or HUID code. The seller describes the piece as "hallmarked" but cannot show you where the marks are on the actual piece.
Real White Rose customers — 925 sterling silver jewellery, hallmark eligible, worn every day
Buying Hallmarked Silver Jewellery Online — What to Check
Buying silver jewellery online adds one layer of complexity: you cannot physically inspect the hallmark before delivery. Here is what to verify before placing an order.
What a Trustworthy Online Silver Brand Does
A reliable seller will state the purity grade clearly on the product page — not just "925 sterling silver" as a marketing phrase, but as a specification. They will reference BIS hallmarking or hallmark eligibility explicitly. Their invoice will list the HUID, purity grade, and weight for each piece. They will have a return or exchange policy that covers the case where the piece does not match its described specifications.
Check Before You Order
Look for: the purity grade stated in the product specifications, not just the description. A clear returns policy. Customer reviews that mention the quality and finish of received pieces. Any mention of HUID or BIS hallmarking in the product details. A physical address and contact details for the brand — not just a social media profile.
Hallmark eligible. Every piece ships with a care guide and White Rose jewellery box. Free shipping pan India.
White Rose 925 Sterling Silver — Hallmark Eligible Collection
Frequently Asked Questions
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White Rose 925 sterling silver jewellery — hallmark eligible, honestly made, free shipping across India. By Bharati Jewellers, Mumbai.
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References & Research: This guide draws on the Bureau of Indian Standards IS 2112:2025 standard for silver hallmarking, BIS official guidelines for HUID-based hallmarking (gold and silver), publicly available data from the BIS Care app and BIS government portal (bis.gov.in), and Bharati Jewellers' three decades of hallmarking experience in the Mumbai jewellery trade. Silver hallmarking mandatory status reflects official BIS position as of October 2026. All product details refer to the current White Rose by Bharati Jewellers catalogue.
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