Summary of this article
Akshaya Tritiya is considered auspicious for buying gold
Checklists of hallmark and purity helps making better investment decisions
Akshaya Tritiya, the auspicious day considered for buying gold, falls on April 19, Sunday, in 2026. Gold purchases are expected to pick up during the weekend, but ahead of the festival, buyers should know how to check the authenticity of the jewellery and gold they are buying. Here are a few tips for buyers to make a more informed decision.
Many jewellers could come up with claims of pure gold, but here is a checklist buyers should verify before making any investment decisions.
Every buyer must check these three mandatory signs.
The BIS logo: The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) logo is a hallmark, which comes engraved on the jewellery with a small triangular logo indicating that the purity has been certified by BIS. This is considered one of the most reliable indicators of gold jewellery.
Check for purity and fineness: Every piece of jewellery has its purity mentioned in karats. For instance, a standard for traditional jewellery is considered 91.6 per cent purity of gold denoted as 22K916. For diamond or stone-studded jewellery pieces of 75 per cent purity, it will be denoted as 18K750.
Hallmark Unique Identification number: This is considered the most critical mark of purity now. The HUID number is a six-digit alphanumeric code to identify a particular piece of jewellery.
How to Verify Digitally?
Buyers can verify each piece of jewellery instantly online using the BIS Care app. To verify the HUID number, first download the government sponsored BIS Care app. Navigate to the ”verify HUID” section and enter the six-digit number on the jewellery. The app will show the jeweller’s registration name and whether the Hallmarking Centre (AHC) tested it. It will also display the date of hallmarking and the purity of the piece. Once you have checked the details, verify and match the details with the tag given by the jeweller.
The ‘Karat Meter’ Test
You can also ask for a Karat Meter test. Most jewellers now have an X-ray fluorescence machine or the Karat Meter to check the precise breakdown of the alloys in the jewellery. The machine scans the jewellery’s surface without damaging the piece to provide the specifications of metals used in it, such as gold, silver, copper, or others. You can ask the jeweller to scan the piece in your presence, which takes less than 30 seconds.
Magnet Test
This is one of the most basic ways to test whether the piece is adulterated with metals, such as iron, nickel or cobalt. Pure gold is non-magnetic, and if the jewellery is pure, it should not get attracted to a strong magnet.
Tax Invoice
When you are investing in gold, it is best to authenticate it with a proper and detailed bill. A detailed tax invoice should include the HUID number of each item, along with its purity and weight. It should also have the current gold rate on the date of buying and a clear breakdown of the making charges and the taxes included, such as goods and services tax (GST).
