Gold and silver hold profound cultural, emotional, and economic value in India. From investment to inheritance, jewellery purchases are guided by trust — but purity cannot be judged by appearance alone. To safeguard consumer interests and enforce purity standards, the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) introduced hallmarking regulations:
✔ Gold hallmarking in 2000
✔ Silver hallmarking in 2005
Today, hallmarking is mandatory for manufacturing and selling gold and silver jewellery in India. With rising consumer awareness, jewellers and hallmarking centres are experiencing exponential growth, making BIS registration an operational necessity rather than a choice.
- 1. BIS Standard Mark
A triangular logo indicating the product has been tested by a BIS-approved hallmarking centre.
- 2. Purity Grade Mark
Defines purity either in:
- Caratage (e.g., 22k, 18k, 14k)
- Fineness numbers (e.g., 916, 750, 585)
- 3. Hallmarking Centre Identification
Traceability code indicating the certified BIS testing laboratory.
- 4. Year of Marking
Represented by alphabet codes (A=2000, B=2001, etc.).
- 5. Jeweller’s Identification Mark
Every BIS-registered jeweller has a unique logo engraved on each item.
Hallmark Registration for Showrooms/Jewellers
Mandatory for every jewellery outlet selling BIS-hallmarked gold or silver articles.
Separate registration is required for gold and silver items.
Once approved, jewellers must comply with inspections, purity standards, and BIS monitoring.
- Proof of premises (sale deed/rent agreement)
- Business establishment certificate
- GST certificate
- Turnover proof
- Owner ID proof
- Showroom logo
- Letterhead with official details
- Location map
- 2–3 showroom photographs
Hallmarked jewellery must be tested at a BIS-recognized assaying and hallmarking centre.
These centres perform purity testing and stamping using scientific procedures such as:
Testing Process Breakdown
Reception & Sorting
XRF Testing for purity verification
Sample Melting to homogenize metal
Fire Assay: the globally proven purity testing technique
This ensures purity authentication before the hallmark is applied.
- 1. Pre-application documentation
- 2. Portal creation
- 3. Infrastructure set-up
- 4. CRM testing in BIS lab
- 5. Equipment calibration through NABL labs
- 6. Internal testing & inter-lab comparison
- 7. File preparation
- 8. Staff training & laboratory commissioning
- 9. Online application submission (13–15 working days)
- 10. Hardcopy submission
- 11. Pre-Audit scrutiny
- 12. On-site inspection
- 13. Post-Audit review
- 14. Grant of Licence
- Premises proof
- Director/Partner ID
- GST registration
- MSME certificate (if applicable)
- Latest electricity bill
- Official logo
- Pollution NOC
- MOA/Partnership deed
- Employee details (minimum 8 qualified staff)
- BIS application forms
Hallmark registration fees must be deposited by 10th of the following month.
Non-compliance may result in penalties, suspension, or cancellation.
- Protects consumers against impurity fraud
- Enhances brand credibility and transparency
- Promotes ethical market practices
- Aligns with India’s position as a global gold hub
GCS ensures businesses achieve hallmark registration without procedural hurdles
- We provide:
- End-to-end certification support
- BIS documentation and portal handling
- Process advisory and operational guidance
- Assistance for showroom registration & hallmarking centre approval
- Compliance, audit, inspection, and renewal management
Our expert team works closely with BIS regulatory norms so jewellers can operate confidently and deliver guaranteed purity to their customers.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) – BIS Registration / BIS Certification
The scientific determination and certification of precious metal purity.
It establishes trust, quality assurance, transparency, and regulatory compliance.
Customers receive authentic purity at the price they pay, protected from adulteration.
Currently, gold and silver.
The degree of gold fineness — e.g., 916 (22K), 750 (18K), 585 (14K).
The Bureau of Indian Standards.
- Centre tests and stamps jewellery
- Showroom sells hallmarked articles
₹35 per article, with minimum consignment charges plus taxes.
By applying either for
✔ Hallmark showroom licence
✔ Hallmarking centre recognition
— via the BIS portal with documents and inspections.