How to Check Gold Purity and Hallmarks

A hallmark is an independent stamp that certifies the gold content. It is compulsory for gold jewellery in India (BIS logo, purity such as 22K916, and a six-digit HUID you can check in the BIS CARE app), the UK (above 1 gram), the UAE and Saudi Arabia; in the US, Canada and Australia marks are voluntary but must be truthful. The surest checks are a hallmark you can verify and, if in doubt, a test at an assay centre: in India a BIS-recognised centre will test your jewellery for ₹200 and, if hallmarked gold is below its mark, you can claim twice the shortfall.

Facts checked 26 October 2026 · Not financial, legal or tax advice

Karat, fineness and gold content

Karat	Fineness mark	Gold content	Where you'll see it
24K	999 (995 in India's BIS grades)	99.9% (99.5%)	Bars, coins; some jewellery in the Gulf and Asia
23K	958	95.8%	India (BIS grade)
22K	916	91.6%	Most Indian and Gulf jewellery; UK standard
21K	875	87.5%	UAE and Saudi jewellery
20K	833	83.3%	India (BIS grade)
18K	750	75.0%	Jewellery worldwide, gem-set pieces
14K	585 (583)	58.5%	US, Europe; India BIS grade; UAE 583
12K	500	50.0%	UAE minimum standard
10K	417	41.7%	US, Canada
9K	375	37.5%	UK, Canada, Australia; voluntary in India

Fineness is parts per thousand of pure gold. The value of your piece = weight × fineness × the 24K price; see today's price per gram by karat.

Hallmarks by country

Country	Is it compulsory?	What the marks look like	Check or complain
India	Yes for gold jewellery and artefacts in 385 districts (phased in since 23 June 2021). Since 1 April 2023 only jewellery with a six-digit HUID may be sold. Exempt: items under 2 g, small jewellers (turnover up to ₹40 lakh), bullion bars and coins, Kundan, Polki and Jadau.	Three marks: the BIS logo, purity in karat and fineness (e.g. 22K916) and a six-digit alphanumeric HUID unique to the item. Grades: 14K, 18K, 20K, 22K, 23K, 24K. Hallmarking costs ₹45 per article, shown on the bill.	Enter the HUID in the BIS CARE app (Verify HUID): it shows the jeweller, the assaying centre, the article type, date and purity. A test at a BIS-recognised centre costs ₹200; if it is below the mark you can claim twice the shortfall plus the test fee.
United Kingdom	Yes: it is an offence to describe or sell an item as gold unless it carries a UK hallmark (Hallmarking Act 1973). Exempt below 1 g of gold (silver 7.78 g), and coins.	Compulsory: the sponsor's mark, the fineness (375, 585, 750, 916, 990, 999) and the assay office mark: London leopard's head, Birmingham anchor, Sheffield rose, Edinburgh castle. Optional: karat symbol, date letter, Common Control Mark.	Every dealer must display the British Hallmarking Council's Dealer's Notice. Report problems to Trading Standards.
UAE	Yes: wrought gold may not be sold without the official UAE hallmark or a recognised foreign hallmark (Federal Law 11 of 2015). Exempt under 1 g of gold.	Metal type, fineness and the hallmarking body's mark; the UAE stamp shows a falcon for gold (castle for silver, palm for platinum). Permitted karats: 24, 22, 21, 18, 16, 14 and 12. Plated items must say so.	Dubai Central Laboratory inspects shops and tests samples; a collection point in the Gold Souk tests gold in one working day. Many shops offer a free XRF test. Counterfeit hallmarks: at least 2 years' prison and/or AED 500,000–1m.
Saudi Arabia	Yes: bullion and precious-metal products must carry the Kingdom's official stamp before sale (Law of Precious Metals and Gemstones). Since 11 October 2025 the old tolerance of up to four karats has been removed.	The official stamp, or a recognised foreign stamp. Plated items must be marked "plated". Adverts must state type, weight, fineness and price.	Ministry of Commerce inspections, with samples tested at SASO laboratories. Selling gold without the legal mark or misdescribing it: up to 2 years' prison and/or SAR 400,000.
Pakistan	No national hallmarking law yet; an Assaying and Hallmarking Council Act is planned.	The Pakistan Gems & Jewellery Development Company runs assaying and hallmarking centres.	Ask for purity on the receipt and test at an assay centre.
United States	No. Marks are voluntary, but anyone who stamps a gold quality mark must also stamp a registered trademark or name (National Gold and Silver Stamping Act).	Karat marks such as 14K or 585. Items not made of 24K throughout can't be called "gold" without a karat. Tolerance: 3 parts per thousand (7 with solder). Gold-filled, gold plate and electroplate have FTC minimums.	FTC Jewelry Guides; complaints to the FTC or state attorney general.
Canada	No, but marks must be truthful and in the prescribed form, with a registered trademark (Precious Metals Marking Act).	9K or higher may use karat marks; 10K, 14K, 18K may show .417, .583, .750. Plating must be at least 10K.	Competition Bureau (fines under the Act, and the Competition Act for false claims).
Australia	No compulsory hallmarking.	Australian Standard AS 2140 uses fineness marks (e.g. 375, 750); AS 2335 covers plated and rolled gold ("GP").	Consumer law (ACCC and state fair trading) for misdescribed goods.

Convention marks (the Common Control Mark of the International Hallmarking Convention) are recognised in member countries, including the UK.

Checking an Indian HUID

Find the six-digit code (letters and numbers) next to the BIS logo and purity mark; a loupe helps.
Open the BIS CARE app (Android or iPhone), choose Verify HUID and enter it.
Check the result matches the piece: article type, purity, the jeweller and the date it was hallmarked.
Check the bill shows weight, purity, the hallmarking charge per article and the HUID.
If something doesn't match, have it tested at a BIS-recognised Assaying & Hallmarking Centre and complain to BIS.

Testing gold: what works

At an assay centre: fire assay is the reference method, which BIS uses for consumer tests (₹200 in India); it takes a small sample. In shops: XRF ("karat meter") gives a quick, non-destructive reading; many UAE shops test for free. XRF reads the surface, so ask for a fire-assay or lab test if a result is disputed.

At home the checks are limited: gold isn't magnetic, so a magnet catches only steel or iron fakes; a density check (weight in air and water) can expose brass or plated base metal but not a tungsten core, because tungsten is almost exactly as dense as gold; acid kits and scratch tests can damage the item. A verified hallmark and a reputable seller beat home tests. See fake gold bars and coins.

Gold Purity and Hallmarks: FAQ

How do I check if gold is real?

Look for a hallmark you can verify (in India, the BIS logo, purity mark and six-digit HUID, checked in the BIS CARE app), buy from a licensed seller with a detailed invoice, and if in doubt have it tested at an assay or hallmarking centre. Home tests such as a magnet only catch crude fakes.

What is HUID on gold?

The Hallmark Unique Identification: a six-digit alphanumeric code laser-marked on each piece of hallmarked gold jewellery in India. Since 1 April 2023 only jewellery with a HUID may be sold. Enter it in the BIS CARE app to see the jeweller, the assaying centre, the article type, purity and date.

What does 916 mean on gold?

916 means 91.6% pure gold: 22 karat. 750 is 18K, 585 is 14K, 875 is 21K and 999 is 24K.

Is hallmarking compulsory in the UK?

Yes. Gold over 1 gram must carry a UK hallmark (sponsor's mark, fineness and assay office mark) before it can be described or sold as gold. Dealers must display the Dealer's Notice.

Is old gold without a hallmark worth less?

Not necessarily: its value depends on the actual gold content. But a buyer will test it and may offer less to allow for uncertainty. In India you can have unhallmarked jewellery tested at a BIS-recognised centre.

Can I get compensation if hallmarked gold is impure?

In India, yes: if hallmarked jewellery tests below its marked purity, BIS rules let the buyer claim twice the difference in value for the weight sold, plus the testing charges.

Sources (22)

General information, checked October 2026. Rules, limits and terms change; check with the provider, insurer or authority before you rely on them. Not financial, legal or tax advice.