BIS Hallmarking for Silver Jewellery in India: What It Means and Why It Matters

Silver has always been more than a metal in India. It’s a wedding heirloom passed from a grandmother’s wrist to yours. It’s the nath worn at a puja, the pahuchi that jingles with every step at a mountain festival. Silver carries memory, culture, and meaning.

But here’s the uncomfortable truth: for decades, buying silver jewellery in India meant trusting your instincts or the word of a jeweller. There was no guaranteed way to know if that bracelet marked “925” was actually 92.5% pure silver, or just a convincing-looking alloy.

That’s changing now. And as a brand rooted in craft and honesty, Ejaa believes this change matters deeply.

What Is BIS Hallmarking for Silver Jewellery?

BIS stands for Bureau of Indian Standards India’s national body responsible for quality certification across industries.

BIS hallmarking is the official process of certifying the purity of precious metals. You’ve likely seen the BIS hallmark on gold jewellery for years. Since September 2025, this certification system has been formally extended to silver jewellery as well.

Simply put: a BIS hallmark on your silver piece is the government’s stamp of guarantee that what you’re buying is exactly what it claims to be.

Why Did India Need Silver Hallmarking?

The silver jewellery market in India is enormous and historically unregulated.

Unlike gold, silver jewellery had no mandatory purity verification system for a long time. Sellers could label a piece “pure silver” with little to no accountability. The problem this created:

•   Adulterated silver sold at pure silver prices

•   No traceability buyers couldn’t identify the seller or testing centre

•   Lack of standardisation hurt India’s position in global silver trade

•   Artisans and honest jewellers lost business to cheaper, impure alternatives

BIS hallmarking addresses all of this head-on.

The New System: What Changed in 2025

From September 1, 2025, BIS introduced a new hallmarking system for silver under standard IS 2112:2025. Here’s what’s new:

The HUID Code Is Now Central

Every hallmarked silver piece now carries a 6-digit alphanumeric HUID Hallmark Unique Identification number. Think of it as your jewellery’s fingerprint. No two pieces share the same HUID.

Seven Purity Grades Are Now Recognised

The revised standard expands silver purity grades to seven:

958 and 999 are newly added grades under the 2025 BIS standard.

The Hallmark Has Three Components

Every BIS-certified silver piece will show:

•  BIS Standard Mark with the word ‘SILVER’

•  Purity grade (e.g., 925)

•   HUID code (unique 6-digit alphanumeric)

How to Read a Silver Hallmark in India

When you pick up a silver piece and look for the hallmark usually stamped on an inner surface, clasp, or back  here’s what you’re looking at:

• The BIS logo (a triangle with ‘BIS’) confirms it’s certified

• The number (925, 990, etc.) tells you the exact purity

• The HUID code is your verification key use it on the BIS Care app to verify the item instantly

Pro tip: Download the BIS Care mobile app and scan or enter any HUID code to verify a piece’s authenticity instantly. It takes less than 30 seconds.

What This Means When You Buy Ejaa Jewellery

At Ejaa, all our pieces are crafted in pure silver, and we’ve always been committed to transparency in our materials and methods. BIS hallmarking aligns perfectly with everything we stand for.

When you buy a piece from Ejaa’s collections whether it’s a Kumaoni nath, a Pahuchi bracelet, or a statement earring from our Ejaa Vintage line  you’re not just buying design. You’re buying certified purity, verified craft, and traceable provenance. The hallmark is your assurance. Our craftsmanship is our promise.

Is Silver Hallmarking Now Mandatory in India?

Here’s the honest answer: it’s in transition.

As of September 2025, the HUID-based system is the official standard. The government has stated it will evaluate whether to make hallmarking fully mandatory after observing the voluntary rollout period. All signs point toward mandatory compliance becoming the norm across India.

What this means for buyers: always ask for hallmarked silver. Any reputable jeweller should be able to provide it. If they can’t or won't, that's a reason to pause.

Why This Is Good News for Pahadi Craft

Traditional silver jewellery from Uttarakhand, the kind that Ejaa is built around — has always been made with integrity. Our artisans work with real silver, use real molds, and put in real hours. But without a certification system, their honest work was competing unfairly with cheaper, adulterated alternatives.

Hallmarking levels that playing field. It rewards authenticity. For brands and artisans who’ve always done the right thing, BIS hallmarking isn’t a burden. It’s a badge.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1. What does the BIS hallmark mean on silver jewellery in India?

A BIS hallmark on silver jewellery means the piece has been tested and certified by a BIS-recognised Assaying and Hallmarking Centre. It confirms the metal’s purity grade for example, 925 means the piece is 92.5% pure silver. The hallmark also includes a unique HUID code for traceability.

Q2. How do I verify a BIS hallmark on silver jewellery?

Download the BIS Care app (available on Android and iOS). Enter or scan the 6-digit HUID code on your jewellery. The app will show you the purity grade, testing centre details, jeweller registration number, and hallmarking date instantly and for free.

Q3. What is the difference between 925 and 999 silver in India’s hallmarking system?

925 silver (Sterling Silver) contains 92.5% pure silver mixed with 7.5% alloy usually copper for durability. It’s the most commonly used grade in jewellery. 999 silver is 99.9% pure (Fine Silver), used mainly in bullion, coins, and high-value investment pieces.

Q4. Is it safe to buy silver jewellery without a BIS hallmark?

While hallmarking is currently in a voluntary-to-mandatory transition phase, buying Unhallmarked silver jewellery carries real risk; you have no official assurance of purity. For any serious purchase, hallmarked silver is strongly recommended.

Q5. Does BIS hallmarking apply to traditional or handcrafted silver jewellery?

Yes. BIS hallmarking applies to all silver jewellery and artefacts  including handcrafted, traditional, and artisanal pieces. This is great news for traditional jewellery like Pahadi pieces; it gives genuine craft the certification it deserves.

Final Thought

At Ejaa, we believe the most beautiful jewellery is also the most honest. Crafted in pure silver, inspired by Kumaoni heritage, and built for the people who wear their roots with pride.

Explore our collections at ejaa.in