9K gold, which is 37.5% pure, can be hallmarked under IS 1417 as a voluntary grade, while mandatory hallmarking covers 14K, 18K, 20K, 22K, 23K and 24K, and the purity on a jeweller's bill can be checked against the BIS mark. Hallmarking became compulsory in phases from 23 June 2021, when it covered 14K, 18K, 20K, 22K, 23K and 24K jewellery in 256 districts.
Karat is a way of stating how much of the piece is gold and the remaining weight is other metals. The fineness mark shows the same share in parts per thousand.
As per jeweller blogs, 22K carries the 916 mark, which means 91.6% gold, and 18K carries the 750 mark, which means 75% gold with 25% alloy.
For 14K, the mark is 585, which means 58.5% gold. Pure 24K gold carries the mark 999, and 995 is also used as a fineness for 24K gold.
What the hallmark shows and where it is compulsory
A valid hallmark on a piece of jewellery carries the BIS logo, the purity grade and a six character alphanumeric code called the HUID, which is a unique number used to trace the piece. The testing is done at BIS-recognised assaying and hallmarking centres, and jewellers registered with BIS send their pieces there.
The Third Amendment Order, 2026 took effect on 3 August 2026, and as per The Retail Jeweller, the number of mandatory districts increased from 380 to 392. In these districts, reports say selling unhallmarked or falsely marked gold can draw a fine of up to five times the value of the item, or imprisonment of up to one year.
Kundan, Polki and Jadau jewellery, and items under 2 grams, are reported as exempt from the mandatory hallmark.
BIS lists 24K among the mandatory hallmarking grades.
