You are standing at a jewellery counter, or scrolling a listing late at night, and you see it: a tiny stamp or a line on the price tag that just says "916". Or "750." Or maybe "833." No explanation, no context, just a three- digit number sitting next to a gold hallmark symbol that looks like a triangle.
Is 916 better than 750? Is 833 rare, or is it a red flag? And why does the same-looking gold chain say "22K" on one shop's tag and "916" on another's, as if they were two different things?
They're not two different things. They're the same information written two ways - and once you understand the system, you'll never have to guess again. This guide breaks down every hallmark gold number you're likely to encounter, what each BIS symbol on the stamp actually certifies, and how to match the right purity grade to what you're actually buying.
Quick Answer: The Hallmark Number-to-Karat Cheat Sheet
Hallmark Number | Karat | % Pure Gold |
|---|---|---|
999 | 24K | 99.9% |
958 | 23K | 95.8% |
916 | 22K | 91.6% |
833 | 20K | 83.3% |
750 | 18K | 75.0% |
585 | 14K | 58.5% |
375 | 9K | 37.5% |
Keep this table handy - everything below explains why these numbers exist and which one is right for the piece you're eyeing.
What Does "Hallmark Gold" Actually Mean?
BIS hallmark gold is jewellery that has been independently tested and certified by the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) - India's national standards body - to confirm it contains exactly the amount of pure gold it claims to, so any person buying gold, online or from a gold jewellery showroom, whether for investment or celebrating occasions, doesn't get scammed easily.
Since June 2021, hallmarking has been mandatory for gold jewellery sold in India, which means a legitimate seller cannot simply write "22K" on a tag and hope you believe it. The claim has to be tested at a BIS-licensed Assaying and Hallmarking Centre (AHC) first.
That's the entire point of the hallmark gold system: it turns a purity claim from "trust me" into "verify me." Every jeweller listed on Gold Directory is checked for BIS hallmark certification as part of our verification process, so the purity printed on a listing matches what's actually stamped on the piece.
The Gold Hallmark Symbol, Decoded
Here's where most of the confusion starts - people assume the "hallmark gold symbol" is one single logo. It isn't. It's a set of marks, and reading them together is what actually tells you something.
Since July 2021, every hallmarked piece carries three components stamped or laser-etched together:
The BIS Standard Mark - the triangular logo, sometimes called the hallmark gold sign, which confirms the item was tested at a licensed BIS centre.
The purity/fineness number - written as karat plus a three-digit number, such as "22K916." This is the actual gold hallmark numbers you came here to decode.
The HUID (Hallmark Unique Identification) code - a six-character alphanumeric ID unique to that one specific piece, not the design, not the batch - that exact article.
Older jewellery, hallmarked before July 2021, may instead carry the earlier four-mark format: the BIS logo, the purity/fineness number, the hallmarking centre's mark, and the jeweller's own identification mark. Both formats are legitimate - a piece isn't suspect just because it's missing an HUID, as long as it predates the rule change. What should concern you is a stamp missing the BIS logo and purity number altogether, or numbers that don't match what the seller told you verbally.
The Complete Hallmark Purity Number Chart
This is the reference table worth screenshotting. Every gold jewelry hallmark you'll come across in an Indian store maps to one of these seven grades, recognised under Indian Standard IS 1417:2016.
Hallmark Number | Karat | % Pure Gold | Also Written As | Typically Used For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
999 | 24K | 99.9% | "24 karat" | Investment coins, gold bars, gifting |
958 | 23K | 95.8% | "23 karat" | Select ornamental pieces (uncommon) |
916 | 22K | 91.6% | "916 gold" | Bridal sets, mangalsutra, chains, bangles |
833 | 20K | 83.3% | "20 karat" | Antique-finish and studded work |
750 | 18K | 75.0% | "18 karat" | Diamond and gemstone settings |
585 | 14K | 58.5% | "14 karat" | Lightweight, everyday, budget pieces |
375 | 9K | 37.5% | "9 karat" | Added to the BIS list in July 2025; economy fashion jewellery |
You can browse listings from BIS-hallmarked gold jewellers on our Gold Directory filtered by exactly these purity grades, so you're comparing apples to apples across stores.
999 Hallmark - 24 Karat Gold
A 24 Karat gold hallmark reading 999 means the metal is essentially pure gold - no alloy blended in to change its properties. That's exactly why 999 gold is almost never used for jewellery you intend to wear regularly: pure gold is soft enough to bend or scratch under normal use. You'll mostly see 999 on investment coins, gold bars, and the occasional ceremonial or gifting piece designed to be admired rather than worn daily.
916 Hallmark - 22 Karat Gold, India's Favourite
If there's one number that defines Indian jewellery buying, it's this one. 916 hallmark gold - the 22 karat gold hallmark number - is 91.6% pure gold alloyed with just enough silver and copper to give it strength without dulling that rich, warm colour Indian buyers associate with "real" gold. It's the default purity for mangalsutra, temple jewellery, bangles, and - very commonly - a hallmark gold chain for men, since 916 holds up well to daily wear while still carrying weight and value.
916 hallmark gold price moves with the daily international gold rate, so the number stamped on the piece never changes, but the rupee value behind it does, sometimes by the hour during volatile weeks. If you're comparing rates - whether you're checking the 916 hallmark gold price in Bhubaneswar, in Balasore, or in any other city - the smartest move is checking same-day pricing directly from verified local sellers rather than relying on a number you saw last week. Gold Directory's store locator lets you find verified, hallmark-certified jewellers near you and compare current rates and making charges side by side. For chains specifically, you can browse gold chains and jewellery curated for men from verified sellers.
833 Hallmark - 20 Karat Gold, the Middle Ground
The 20 karat gold hallmark number, 833, sits between 22K and 18K, and it's the least talked-about of the mainstream grades - which is exactly why it confuses people who stumble across it. 833 hallmark gold is 83.3% pure, and jewellers use it when a design needs more structural strength than 916 offers (for securely setting stones, or for elaborate antique-finish work) without dropping all the way to 18K's lighter colour. It was formally added to BIS's mandatory hallmarking grades alongside 23K and 24K, so a 20 karat gold hallmark is every bit as legitimate and BIS-verifiable as 916 or 750 - it's simply less common on general shop floors.
750 Hallmark - 18 Karat Gold for Diamonds and Modern Design
A 750 hallmark - 18 karat, 75% pure gold - trades some of 22K's richness for durability and a lighter finished weight, which is exactly why it's the standard choice for diamond jewellery and gemstone-heavy pieces. The higher alloy content grips prongs and claw settings more securely than softer 22K gold does, which matters when a stone is doing the visual work. It's also popular for contemporary, western-influenced designs and engagement rings, where the slightly muted gold tone is often intentional rather than a compromise. Browse diamond jewellery and bridal jewellery collections built primarily around 18K settings.
What About 14K and 9K Gold?
Two more numbers worth knowing, even though they're less common at traditional Indian counters. 585 (14K) is 58.5% pure gold, popular internationally and increasingly in India for lightweight, budget-conscious fashion jewellery - it holds up well to daily wear at a lower per-gram cost. 375 (9K) is the newest addition to BIS's official hallmarking list, brought under mandatory certification in July 2025; at 37.5% pure gold, it's the most economical hallmarked option and is typically used for very light, low-cost pieces rather than investment or bridal wear.
How to Read Your HUID Number
Once you've confirmed the purity number matches what you were told, the HUID is your second line of defence - it lets you verify the specific piece in front of you, not just the purity grade in general.
To check it: download the free BIS CARE app (Android and iOS), enter the six-character code exactly as stamped, and search. A genuine HUID returns the article type, tested purity, the registered jeweller, and the hallmarking centre that certified it. No match, or details that contradict what the seller told you, is a reason to ask questions before you pay - not after.
Which Purity Should You Choose?
There's no single "best" hallmark number - the right one depends on what the piece is for.
Buying for investment or gifting? 999 (24K) holds maximum value per gram, with no wearability compromise to worry about.
Buying traditional or bridal jewellery? 916 (22K) remains the standard for a reason - colour, cultural weight, and resale familiarity.
Buying a stone-set or antique-finish piece? 833 (20K) offers a practical middle ground.
Buying diamond jewellery, a men's chain for daily wear, or a lighter modern design? 750 (18K) balances durability, weight, and cost.
See Today's Rate for Your Purity Grade
Now that you can read a hallmark like a jeweller does, the next step is comparing real listings. See today's rate for your purity grade → - browse BIS hallmark-certified jewellers by city, filter by 14K, 18K, 22K or 24K, and compare making charges before you buy.
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