Key takeaways
Check the BIS logo, purity grade and HUID, and verify the HUID in the BIS Care app.
Ask for an XRF or karatmeter reading in front of you, and keep a printed slip.
XRF is accurate to about 0.1% to 0.5%, but it reads only the surface.
Match karat, net weight and HUID on the bill with the piece before you pay.
If something does not fit, get an independent test at a BIS-recognised centre.
You have chosen the chain. The jeweller says, “Full 22K, hallmarked, don’t worry.” The bill is about to print. This is the moment to spend five minutes, because after you pay, every question gets harder.
Here is what to do at the counter.
Quick answer: how to check gold purity at a shop
Check the BIS logo, purity mark and HUID on the piece. Verify the HUID in the BIS Care app. Ask the jeweller to run an XRF or karatmeter reading in front of you. Match karat, fineness and net weight on the bill with the piece, and watch the weighing. If anything does not fit, get an independent test at a BIS-recognised centre before you pay.
Why five minutes at the counter matter
Purity decides the price per gram. On an illustrative ₹13,000 per gram for 22K gold, 18K gold (75% pure) is worth about ₹10,644 per gram. If an 18K chain is sold at the 22K price, you overpay about ₹2,355 per gram, or roughly ₹47,000 on a 20-gram chain. India now has 2,36,624 registered jewellers, according to BIS (as of 15 October 2026), and most are honest. But the check costs you nothing, and an honest jeweller will not mind it.
Step 1: Read the marks on the piece
Look for three things: the BIS triangle logo, the purity grade (such as 22K916 or 18K750) and a six-character HUID code. Ask for the shop’s 10X magnifier, which registered jewellers must keep. A typed “916” without the BIS logo and HUID is not a hallmark. For what each mark means, see our full guide on how to check hallmark on gold.
Step 2: Verify the HUID on your phone
Open the BIS Care app, choose “Verify HUID” and type the code. It should show the jeweller, the type of article and its purity. If the app shows no result, or a different item, stop and ask for an explanation.
Step 3: Ask for an XRF or karatmeter reading
This is the step most people skip. Ask the jeweller to test your piece on the XRF machine or karatmeter while you watch.
The machine should be switched on and read the piece directly, not a different sample.
The result should show gold content as a percentage or karat, such as 91.6%.
Ask for a printed slip or a photo of the screen.
How to read it. XRF is typically accurate to about 0.1% to 0.5%. So a reading of 91.3% on a 22K piece is within normal error. A reading of 85% is not.
What XRF cannot do. It reads only the surface, to roughly 10 to 50 microns. A thickly plated or gold-filled piece can look better on the screen than it is inside. That is why XRF supports the hallmark, but does not replace it. For coins and bars, or any high-value piece, add an independent test.
Step 4: Match the bill with the piece
Before you pay, read the bill line by line. It should show the karat and fineness (such as 22K916), the net weight, the HUID for each piece, the gold rate used and the making charge. If you want to check the rest of the maths, see how jewellers calculate gold price.
Step 5: Watch the weighing
Ask to see the scale. It should show zero before the piece goes on, and stones should be weighed separately from the gold. A hallmark confirms purity, not weight, so check both.
Step 6: Get an independent test if you doubt it
If something does not add up, take the piece to a BIS-recognised Assaying and Hallmarking Centre. BIS lists recognised centres on its website.
XRF at the centre is quick and non-destructive.
Fire assay is the most accurate, at about 0.01% to 0.03%, and is used for disputes. It needs a small sample (around 300 to 500 mg) to be scraped or cut from the piece, so do not use it casually on new jewellery.
BIS consumer-testing guidelines are reported to allow centres to charge about ₹35 per article, with a ₹200 minimum for a lot. Confirm the current fee with the centre.
Do this before you pay if you can, because a shop is more willing to fix a problem before the sale.
What to avoid at the counter
Acid scratch tests on new jewellery. Jewellers use them on old gold, but they leave a mark. Do not let anyone scratch a piece you are about to buy.
Magnet, float and kitchen tests. They cannot measure purity, and gold is not magnetic, but neither are many fake metals.
Tests done out of sight. If the piece goes behind the counter, you are only getting a verbal result.
What are the Red flags at the shop
No BIS logo or HUID on a piece sold as hallmarked
A HUID that does not appear in the BIS Care app
Refusing to test in front of you
A bill that does not list karat, net weight and HUID
A reading far below what the piece is sold as
Pressure to decide “now before the rate changes”. A recent example is the 24kt gold ring scam.
What to do if the purity does not match
Do not pay, or ask for a refund or exchange in writing.
Get the piece tested at a BIS-recognised centre and keep the report.
Raise a complaint on the BIS Care app, or contact the National Consumer Helpline on 1915.
Check the rate before you buy
Purity is half the deal, and the rate is the other half. See the gold rate in Mumbai or the gold rate in Delhi
Related Queries:
What Is the Making Charges for Gold Jewellery?
Frequently asked questions
How do I check gold purity at a shop?
Check the BIS logo, purity mark and HUID, verify the HUID in the BIS Care app, ask for an XRF reading in front of you and match the bill with the piece.
Is the XRF machine at a jewellery shop accurate?
Typically within about 0.1% to 0.5%. It reads only the surface, so it can be fooled by thick plating. Use it along with the hallmark, not instead of it.
How can I check gold purity with an app?
Use the BIS Care app to verify the six-character HUID. It shows the jeweller, the article and its purity.
How can I check gold purity with a number?
Use the HUID, the six-character code on the piece, in the BIS Care app. The 916 or 750 number only tells you the claimed fineness.
Can a hallmarked piece still be fake?
Fake stamps exist, so verify the HUID and match it with the bill. If you still doubt it, get an independent test.
Is the acid test safe for new jewellery?
It leaves a scratch, so do not allow it on a piece you are buying. A hallmark and an XRF reading are better.
Where can I get gold purity tested independently?
At a BIS-recognised Assaying and Hallmarking Centre. Fire assay is the most accurate, but it needs a small sample from the piece.
What if the purity is lower than what is on the bill?
Do not pay, or ask for a refund in writing. Keep the test report and complain through the BIS Care app or the National Consumer Helpline (1915).
Last updated: 14 November 2026. Testing methods, fees and rules can change, so confirm the details with BIS or the testing centre before you buy.
