Dhanteras 2026 Gold Buying Tips: Buying gold on Dhanteras is considered auspicious in many Indian households. As the festive season approaches, jewellery shops are expected to attract customers looking for gold ornaments, coins and other precious items.

Dhanteras falls on November 6, 2026, and many families may be planning to purchase gold for personal use, gifting or long-term savings.

However, before spending money on gold jewellery, buyers should check whether the product meets the purity standards promised by the seller.

The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) provides a hallmarking system that helps consumers verify the purity of eligible gold jewellery. Customers can also use the official BIS Care mobile application to check the Hallmark Unique Identification (HUID) number.

Here are five simple steps to verify gold jewellery before making a purchase.

Why Is Checking Gold Purity Important?

Gold jewellery is available in different purity grades, including 22-karat, 18-karat and 14-karat gold.

These grades indicate the proportion of pure gold present in the jewellery.

For example, 22-karat gold contains approximately 91.6% gold, while the remaining portion consists of other metals used to improve strength and durability.

Similarly, 18-karat gold contains 75% pure gold.

The purity level affects the value of the jewellery, making it important to confirm that the product matches the description and price quoted by the seller.

Buying jewellery without checking its purity can create difficulties when exchanging or selling it later.

Gold Purity Chart: Understand Different Karat Values

The marking on a jewellery item should correspond to its certified purity grade.

Pure 24-karat gold is relatively soft, which is why jewellery is commonly manufactured using lower-karat gold alloys.

How to Check Gold Jewellery Purity in 5 Easy Steps

Consumers can verify the HUID information of BIS-hallmarked jewellery using the BIS Care app.

Step 1: Find the HUID Number on Your Jewellery

Start by examining the hallmark on the gold ornament.

Under the current HUID-based hallmarking system, eligible hallmarked jewellery generally carries three important elements:

• BIS standard mark
• Purity grade, such as 22K916 or 18K750
• Six-character alphanumeric HUID code

The HUID is a unique identification code associated with the hallmarked jewellery article.

Customers may need a magnifying glass to read the markings on smaller ornaments.

Step 2: Download the Official BIS Care App

Open the Google Play Store or Apple App Store on your smartphone.

Search for the official BIS Care application issued by the Bureau of Indian Standards.

Download and install the app.

Consumers should check the publisher information before installing the application to avoid unofficial or misleading apps.

The BIS Care app offers services that help users verify hallmark-related information.

Step 3: Select the Verify HUID Option

After opening the application, locate the Verify HUID feature.

Enter the six-character alphanumeric code exactly as it appears on the jewellery.

Make sure that letters and numbers are entered correctly.

A typing error may prevent the system from identifying the correct record.

Submit the code to retrieve the available hallmark information.

Step 4: Check the Jewellery Details

The BIS Care app can display information associated with the entered HUID.

Depending on the available record, this may include the jewellery's purity grade, article details, hallmarking information and details of the relevant jeweller or hallmarking centre.

Customers should carefully examine the information displayed.

For example, if the jeweller is selling an ornament as 22-karat gold, the corresponding record should reflect the appropriate purity grade.

Any unexpected difference should be clarified before making payment.

Step 5: Match the Details With the Jewellery and Bill

The final step is to compare the app's information with the physical jewellery and the seller's invoice.

Check whether the purity grade and article details are consistent.

Also ensure that the bill clearly mentions the relevant gold purity, weight and charges.

If the HUID verification shows a mismatch, customers should ask the seller for clarification.

Avoid purchasing an item when important discrepancies remain unresolved.

What If the HUID Number Is Not Found?

Sometimes consumers may face difficulties verifying a code because it has been entered incorrectly or cannot be read clearly.

First, examine the marking again and re-enter the code.

If the problem continues, ask the jeweller to help verify the information.

A missing or inconsistent record should be investigated before purchase.

Customers may also approach BIS through its official complaint and consumer assistance channels.

Can You Check Gold Purity Without a Hallmark?

If you already own jewellery that does not carry a recognised hallmark, you can seek professional purity testing.

BIS-recognised Assaying and Hallmarking Centres may provide testing services for consumers, subject to applicable procedures and charges.

Professional testing can help determine the purity of an item more reliably than informal home methods.

Consumers should understand that a simple visual inspection cannot establish the exact gold content of an ornament.

Similarly, common home tests involving magnets, water or household chemicals are not dependable substitutes for professional purity assessment.

Important Things to Check on the Gold Jewellery Bill

Apart from verifying purity, customers should examine the purchase invoice carefully.

The bill should clearly identify the jewellery purchased and provide a transparent breakdown of the price.

Important details include the gold weight, purity grade, applicable gold rate, making charges and taxes.

If gemstones or other materials are included in the ornament, customers should ask how their weight and price have been calculated.

It is also advisable to confirm the seller's exchange and buyback policies.

These policies can vary between jewellery businesses and may affect the amount received when exchanging an ornament later.

Does BIS Hallmarking Guarantee the Best Price?

BIS hallmarking is intended to provide assurance regarding the certified purity of jewellery.

However, it does not guarantee that the seller is offering the lowest market price.

Two jewellers may charge different amounts for ornaments of similar weight and purity because of variations in making charges, design and other commercial factors.

Therefore, customers should compare the complete purchase cost rather than focusing only on the quoted gold rate.

A hallmarked ornament can still be expensive if its making charges are unusually high.

Where Can Customers Report Hallmarking Problems?

Consumers who suspect misleading hallmark information can approach the Bureau of Indian Standards.

The official BIS website is https://www.bis.gov.in/.

The BIS Care application also provides consumer-related services, including complaint facilities.

Customers should retain their purchase invoice and relevant product information when raising a complaint.

Final Update

Dhanteras is a popular occasion for purchasing gold, but buyers should prioritise purity verification before making expensive purchases.

The six-character HUID code and official BIS Care app provide a convenient way to check the hallmark information of eligible gold jewellery.

Before paying, verify the HUID, confirm the purity grade, compare the details with the jewellery and review the purchase bill carefully.

These simple precautions can help consumers make more informed decisions and reduce the risk of purchasing incorrectly described jewellery during the festive season.

Disclaimer: Hallmarking requirements and exemptions depend on the applicable BIS regulations and jewellery category. Consumers should refer to the latest BIS guidance for specific requirements. Gold prices and making charges vary by seller and location.