In a significant move to enhance consumer confidence and transparency in the jewellery sector, the central government of India has introduced voluntary hallmarking for silver jewellery with a digital Hallmarking Unique Identification (HUID) system, effective from the beginning of this month. This initiative enables consumers to verify the quality and purity of silver jewellery easily, ensuring safe and authentic purchases.
Digital Hallmarking and HUID System
The new HUID system assigns a unique digital identity to each piece of hallmarked silver jewellery. Through this system, consumers can check details such as:
- Article type (ring, necklace, bracelet, etc.)
- Purity grade of silver
- Hallmarking date
- Testing centre details
- Jeweller registration number
These details are accessible via the BIS Care mobile application, allowing buyers to instantly verify the authenticity of their silver jewellery before making a purchase. This step aligns with global standards and enhances trust in India’s jewellery market.
Background of Silver Hallmarking in India
Silver jewellery hallmarking has been voluntary in India since October 2005, regulated under the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS). Jewellers who wish to sell hallmarked silver jewellery must obtain registration certificates under IS 2112, ensuring that the items meet the prescribed purity and quality standards.
With the introduction of the HUID system, the government is leveraging digital technology to make hallmarking more transparent, traceable, and consumer-friendly. While hallmarking remains voluntary, the availability of digital verification is expected to encourage more jewellers to adopt the practice, ultimately benefiting buyers across the country.
Benefits for Consumers and Jewellers
For consumers, the new system provides peace of mind when purchasing silver jewellery, as they can independently verify its purity and authenticity. It also reduces the chances of fraudulent or substandard jewellery entering the market.
For jewellers, the digital hallmarking system strengthens credibility, as registered jewellers can showcase their hallmarked products to attract discerning buyers. It also streamlines compliance, making it easier to maintain records of tested and certified items.
Accessing the BIS Care App
The BIS Care mobile application is available for download on both Android and iOS platforms, offering a user-friendly interface to check the HUID of hallmarked silver jewellery. Users can scan a QR code or enter the HUID manually to retrieve complete product details instantly.
This move demonstrates the government’s commitment to digitizing regulatory processes and ensuring that buyers have ready access to reliable information about precious metals.
The launch of digital hallmarking for silver jewellery with the HUID system marks a new era of transparency and quality assurance in India’s jewellery market. By allowing consumers to verify purity, hallmarking date, testing centre, and jeweller credentials, this initiative is expected to boost trust, accountability, and consumer confidence. While voluntary since 2005, the digital hallmarking system is likely to encourage wider adoption among jewellers, benefiting the industry and customers alike
