{"id":1796,"date":"2026-09-14T07:16:05","date_gmt":"2026-09-14T07:16:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/aslivalue.com\/blog\/?p=1796"},"modified":"2026-07-03T16:04:33","modified_gmt":"2026-07-03T16:04:33","slug":"gold-jewellery-markings-india","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/aslivalue.com\/blog\/gold-jewellery-markings-india\/","title":{"rendered":"Gold Jewellery Markings in India: What Every Stamp Actually Means"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t
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Gold Jewellery Markings in India: What Every Stamp Actually Means<\/h2>\n\t\t\t\t\t

What each stamp on your jewellery actually certifies \u2014 and where it falls short when you go to sell.<\/p>\n\t\t\n<\/div>\n

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Alok Parmar<\/h6>\n\t\t\t\t\t

June 09, 2026<\/p>\n\t\t\n<\/div>\n\n<\/div>\n\n<\/div>\n\n<\/div>\n

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Article Index<\/h6>\n\t\t\n<\/div>\n
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\n\t\tThe Four Types of Gold Markings in India<\/strong>\n\t<\/a><\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\n

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\n\t\tWhy Markings Don\u2019t Tell the Whole Story\n\t<\/a><\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\n

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\n\t\tHow Purity Is Actually Verified at Point of Sale\n\t<\/a><\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\n

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916, 22KDM, BIS Hallmark \u2014 What Every Stamp on Indian Gold Jewellery Actually Means<\/h3>\n\t\t\n<\/div>\n
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Gold jewellery markings in India come in four types, and most people only recognise one of them. You're holding a piece with a stamp on it: maybe '916', maybe '22KDM', maybe a BIS logo. You assume that the stamp tells the whole story. But when you go to sell, you get a price lower than expected, and no one explains why. The answer is almost always in the marking \u2014 or more specifically, in what that marking does and doesn't actually guarantee.<\/p>\n\t\t

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Note:<\/strong> These gold markings are extremely small in size, often comparable to nearly half the size of the letters printed in a typical newspaper, which is why they can sometimes be difficult to notice with the naked eye.<\/p>\n\t\t\n<\/div>\n\n<\/div>\n\n<\/div>\n\n<\/div>\n\n<\/div>\n\n<\/div>\n

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The Four Types of Gold Markings in India<\/strong><\/h2>\n\t\t\n<\/div>\n
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BIS Hallmark with HUID (July 2021 \u2013 Present)<\/strong><\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t

This is the current gold standard \u2014 literally. Jewellery hallmarked under this system carries 3 elements: the BIS logo, purity grade, and a unique HUID (Hallmark Unique Identification) number.<\/p>\n\t\t\n<\/div>\n\n<\/div>\n

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The HUID is the key differentiator. Every piece has a unique traceable code, registered with BIS, that can be verified online. This makes it the most reliable marking system India has ever had.
Under the BIS hallmarking system, only specific purity standards are officially recognised and stamped: 24K (999\/995), 23K (958), 22K (916), 20K (833), 18K (750), 14K (585), and 9K (375)<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\t\t\n<\/div>\n

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Note:<\/strong> Even BIS hallmarking operates within permitted tolerance limits. The mark certifies purity at time of manufacture \u2014 not after repairs, soldering, or modifications. A reputable buyer will still test at point of sale for pieces that show signs of repair or alteration.<\/strong><\/p>\n\t\t\n<\/div>\n\n<\/div>\n\n<\/div>\n

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BIS Hallmark Without HUID (2000 \u2013 June 2021)<\/strong><\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t

Certified and reliable \u2014 just not individually traceable<\/p>\n\t\t\n<\/div>\n\n<\/div>\n

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BIS hallmarking began in India in 2000. For over two decades, certified pieces carried the BIS logo, purity mark, and jeweller mark \u2014 but no unique identification number. These pieces were still tested and certified. The purity stated on them is generally reliable.
The only<\/strong> limitation:<\/strong> without a HUID, individual traceability is limited. You can\u2019t look up a specific piece\u2019s certification history the way you can with post-2021 jewellery.For resale purposes, pre-HUID BIS hallmarked jewellery is still treated with confidence.<\/p>\n\t\t\n<\/div>\n\n<\/div>\n

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Jeweller Stamping and Custom Local Markings<\/strong><\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t

Before BIS hallmarking became widespread, jewellers used their own stamping systems to indicate claimed purity. You\u2019ll still find these on older pieces across India. The most common ones:<\/p>\n\t\t\n<\/div>\n\n<\/div>\n

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A. The \u201c916\u201d Stamp<\/strong>
The 916 stamp generally indicates 22K gold (91.6% purity). It\u2019s one of the most common markings you\u2019ll find on Indian jewellery. But here\u2019s the critical point: a 916 stamp alone is not the same as BIS hallmarking.In older jewellery, many jewellers stamped 916 themselves, without any independent testing or certification. It represents the jeweller\u2019s claim \u2014 not a verified, third-party-certified purity reading. Always verify with a proper purity test.
B. The 22KDM \/ 23KDM Stamp<\/strong>
<\/strong>KDM refers to a manufacturing process where cadmium solder was used to join different parts of an ornament. This was extremely common in India before BIS hallmarking became the norm.
Many sellers assume 22KDM means exactly 22K gold. It does not. The actual recoverable gold purity in KDM jewellery depends on how much solder was used, what alloys were added, and what repair work has been done over the years. In many cases, the effective purity tests lower than standard 22K.<\/p>\n\t\t

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Note:<\/strong> There is no standardized formula to convert a KDM stamp into an exact karat value. No fixed conversion exists. This is why professional buyers always test KDM jewellery using purity testing methods.<\/p>\n\t\t\n<\/div>\n\n<\/div>\n

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C. Plain 22K \/ 23K Stamps<\/strong>
These are straightforward karat-based markings: 22K = ~91.6% gold, 23K = ~95.8% gold. Like the 916 stamp, these represent the jeweller\u2019s stated purity \u2014 not a certified, tested figure. They\u2019re a useful starting point, but not a guarantee.
D. 22\/19 Stamps.<\/strong>
A \"22\/19\u201d stamp is an older style of gold jewellery marking commonly seen in traditional jewellery designs. It generally indicates that the jewellery was made using 22 Karat gold, but the overall purity after melting may be closer to 19 Karat.Many traditional ornaments involved heavy solder usage for joining intricate designs. Because solder often contained additional metals and lower gold purity, the final melt value of the ornament could differ from the purity claimed for the main gold body.<\/p>\n\t\t\n<\/div>\n\n<\/div>\n

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No Stamp at all<\/strong><\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t

Older inherited family jewellery often carry no markings whatsoever. An unmarked piece provides no direct purity information. The gold may be excellent quality \u2014 or it may not be.For unmarked jewellery, professional testing isn\u2019t optional \u2014 it\u2019s the only way to determine what you actually have.<\/p>\n\t\t\n<\/div>\n\n<\/div>\n\n<\/div>\n\n<\/div>\n

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Why Markings Don\u2019t Tell the Whole Story<\/strong><\/h3>\n\t\t\n<\/div>\n
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Even for the most reliable markings, there are factors that affect the actual recoverable gold content at the time of resale \u2014 regardless of what\u2019s stamped on the piece.

Repairs and soldering \u2014 most solder used in repairs is lower purity than the main body of the jewellery.
Wax or clay fillings \u2014 hollow pieces are sometimes filled with wax or non-gold material for structural strength, which adds to total weight.
Enamel and stone settings \u2014 contribute to gross weight but are deducted during valuation. Only the net gold weight is priced.
Manufacturing method \u2014 casting produces more uniform purity throughout. Handcrafted and filigree pieces involve more solder joints and added components, each potentially varying in alloy composition. Two pieces with the same hallmark can have meaningfully different recoverable gold depending on how they were made.<\/p>\n\t\t\n<\/div>\n\n<\/div>\n

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How Purity Is Actually Verified at Point of Sale<\/strong><\/h3>\n\t\t\n<\/div>\n
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Professional gold buyers use one of four testing methods:

\u25cfTouchstone + Acid Testing \u2014 a traditional and reliable method.Testing happens on the gold surface; the acid reaction indicates purity grade. AsliValue uses this method at every home visit, in front of the customer.
\u25cf Electronic Gold Tester \u2014 measures electrical conductivity of the jewellery. Fast but less precise than acid testing.
\u25cf XRF (X-Ray Fluorescence) \u2014 used by some organised buyers. Reads metal composition from a surface scan. Accurate, but the result depends on where on the piece the reader is placed.
\u25cf Fire Assay \u2014 the most accurate method (99.9%+). Used only in labs and refineries. You will not encounter this at point of sale.<\/p>\n\t\t\n<\/div>\n

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Note:<\/strong> To understand how gold purity is tested and verified, click on the link given below.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t

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Gold Purity Explained: What Every Seller Needs to Know<\/div>
Everything you need to know about gold purity before you sell \u2014 so you always know what you actually have and what its worth. <\/div><\/div><\/div>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n<\/div>\n\t\t\t\n
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Not sure what the stamp on your gold actually means?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\t\t\t\t\t

A marking is a starting point, not a final answer. Our expert comes to your home, tests your gold in front of you, and shows you the full calculation at the live domestic gold rate \u2014 gross weight, deductions, purity, and final figure.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t