Hallmarking is the accurate determination and official recording of the proportionate content of precious metal in precious metal articles. Hallmarks are thus official marks used in many countries as a guarantee of purity or fineness of precious metal articles. The principle objectives of the Hallmarking Scheme are to protect the public against adulteration and to obligate manufacturers to maintain legal standards of fineness. In India, at present two precious metals namely gold and silver have been brought under the purview of Hallmarking. Hallmarking of Silver The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS), first introduced voluntary silver hallmarking in 2005. The revised standard for hallmarking silver is IS 2112:2025. The revised Indian Standard now includes seven purity grades—800, 835, 925, 958, 970, 990 and 999, with 958 and 999 added recently. Silver Hallmarking Scheme remains voluntary. Hallmarking Unique Identification (HUID) marking has been made mandatory for any silver article that is hallmarked. The Mandatory HUID for silver jewellery and artefacts was introduced with effect from 1 September 2025. It marks a major step towards strengthening consumer protection, purity assurance, and preventing fake hallmarking. What is HUID? HUID is a six-digit alphanumeric code laser-marked on each hallmarked silver article, in addition to the BIS Standard Mark, the word SILVER, and the purity grade. This unique identifier provides complete digital traceability of every hallmarked silver item, bringing silver hallmarking on par with the existing HUID-based hallmarking system for gold. Verification using HUID Verification Made Simple Through BIS CARE App Consumers can instantly verify the authenticity of hallmarked silver jewellery by entering the HUID on the BIS CARE mobile app (available on Android and iOS). The app displays key details such as: Purity of the article Type of jewellery (ring, anklet, chain, etc.) Details of the jeweller who submitted the article for hallmarking Details of the Assaying & Hallmarking Centre Source : BIS