Understand gold karats (24K, 22K, 18K, 14K), BIS Hallmarks, HUID, and today's average pricing
Pure gold. Extremely soft, malleable, and rich yellow. Used for investment coins, bullion bars, electronics, and medical tools. Not suited for jewelry.
Known as BIS 916 gold. Mixed with 8.4% copper/silver/zinc for strength. Standard for Indian traditional wedding jewelry. Balanced beauty and durability.
BIS 750 gold. Highly durable, often used for diamond-studded jewelry, white gold, or rose gold designs. Ideal for daily wear and modern styles.
BIS 585 gold. Extremely hard and affordable. Excellent for activewear, daily bands, and heavily detailed stone designs. Resistant to scratches.
Since June 2021, the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) has made gold hallmarking mandatory in India. To confirm purity, every jewelled item must carry three distinct laser stamps:
The triangular mark of the Bureau of Indian Standards proving governmental verification.
Displays Karat and Fineness: 22K916 (for 22K), 18K750 (for 18K), or 14K585 (for 14K).
Hallmark Unique Identification. A distinct tracking code that can be verified on the official BIS Care mobile app.
Because pure 24K gold is too soft for structural use, standard gold jewelry is mixed with alloy metals. These metals also determine the final color of the gold:
| Gold Color | Alloy Components |
|---|---|
| Yellow Gold | Gold + Silver + Copper + Zinc |
| White Gold | Gold + Palladium + Silver + Nickel |
| Rose Gold | Gold + Copper (higher percentage) + Silver |
| Green Gold | Gold + Silver only |