Gold is not just jewellery in India—it’s emotions, traditions, weddings, and an investment all rolled into one. But here’s the reality check: the gold market is full of fakes and shady sellers. You could be paying for 22K gold but actually getting something way less pure. Ouch.

So how do you protect yourself? Simple: check for a hallmark symbol in gold. Hallmarking is like the official stamp of gold's authenticity - it proves that your jewellery has been tested, verified and certified. And yes, once you know how to read these small marks, you will never be fooled again.

Come, how to check the hallmark on gold, what the numbers really mean, and why a gold certificate of authenticity is the final flax for smart buyers.

 

What Exactly is a Gold Hallmark?

Think of a hallmark as a "verified blue tick" of gold. Like his favourite celeb on Instagram, jewellery with a hallmark is officially verified for authenticity. In India, hallmarking is controlled by the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS).

When your jewellery is hallmarked, it goes through a test in BIS-innovative laboratories, and once it passes the purity test, it is sealed with the official Indian Gold Hallmark symbols. These scars are not just random design - they are code that reveals everything necessary to learn about your gold piece.

So if you have ever thought that 916 or 750 means a small hallmark number, here is a breakdown.

 

The Four Things Every Hallmarked Gold Jewellery Must Have

When you’re inspecting your gold, always check for these four key symbols:

- BIS Logo → The official stamp that shows your gold is BIS-certified.

- Purity/Fineness Mark → A number like 916 (22K), 750 (18K), 585 (14K), or 999 (24K). This tells you exactly how pure the gold is.

- Assaying & Hallmarking Centre Mark → Identifies the lab that tested the jewellery.

- Jeweller’s ID Mark → The code of the jeweller who sold/made the piece.

Together, these are basically your gold certificate of authenticity—stamped right onto your jewellery.

 

How to Check Hallmark on Gold Like a Pro

Alright, so how do you actually do it? Here’s your step-by-step Gen Z-friendly guide:

Step 1: Grab a Magnifying Glass (or Zoom in on Your Phone)

Hallmark symbols are tiny AF. You’ll usually find them inside rings, at the clasp of chains, or on the backside of pendants.

Step 2: Spot the Hallmark Number

This is the key. 916 = 22K gold, 750 = 18K, 585 = 14K. If you don’t see one of these,