Gold Hallmark Verification Terminal™
Verify Authenticity • Scan & Compare • Calculate Refunds
BIS Refund Rules (Section 49)
If purity is lower than marked, you are entitled to: Refund of Value Difference + Two Times that Difference as Compensation. Example: If shortage is ₹1,000, you get ₹3,000.
Testing Charges
Jewellers must also reimburse the testing charges (approx ₹45) if the product fails the purity test.
Your Forensic Shield Against Impure Gold
FinMinutes Gold Hallmark Verification Terminal™: Trust is Good. Verification is Better. Don’t Let Your Hard-Earned Wealth Turn Into “916 KDM” Scrap. Audit Your Gold Like a Pro.
In India, gold is not merely a metal; it is emotion, heritage, and emergency security wrapped into one. We buy it with faith, often from family jewellers we’ve trusted for decades. But faith doesn’t pass a laboratory test.
For generations, the Indian gold market thrived on opacity. Terms like “916 KDM,” “Patla touch,” and “Shop guarantee” were used to mask the reality that consumers were often buying 20K gold at 22K prices.
The Game Changed in 2021. The government mandated HUID (Hallmark Unique Identification), a 6-digit alphanumeric code that acts as the “Aadhaar card” for every single piece of jewellery. This shifted power from the seller to the buyer. Yet, confusion reigns. Is my old gold useless? How do I read the new marks? What if the purity is low?
The Solution: The FinMinutes Gold Hallmark Verification Terminal™.
We have built the epitome of consumer awareness tools, a gold hallmark auditor. It is not just a checker; it is a forensic auditor, a myth-buster, and a legal assistant rolled into one. It empowers you to decode markings, expose fake stamps, calculate complex mixing math, and demand the mandatory compensation you are owed by law if your gold fails a purity test.
Why You Need to Scan Your Gold Hallmark Today
You might think your jewellery locker is secure, but it might be filled with ticking time bombs of low value. Here is why awareness is critical right now:
1. The “916 KDM” Scam is Still Alive
Before hallmarking became standard, jewellers used Cadmium (KDM) solder to join gold pieces. It was popular because it didn’t require high heat.
- The Reality: KDM is carcinogenic (causes cancer) and has been banned internationally. More importantly, over time, it reduces the purity of the entire ornament to below 90%.
- The Trick: Unscrupulous jewellers still stamp “916 KDM” with a laser. To an untrained eye, it looks like a hallmark. It is fake. Our terminal helps you spot this instantly.
2. The “Old vs New” Hallmark Confusion
- Pre-2021: Hallmarking had 4 signs (BIS Logo, Purity Grade, Centre Logo, Jeweller Mark). This gold is still legal to own and exchange.
- Post-2021 (Gold Jewellery HUID): The new standard has only 3 signs (BIS Logo, Purity Grade, 6-Digit HUID Code).
- The Risk: If a jeweller tries to sell you a new piece today without the 6-digit HUID, they are breaking the law. Our tool’s “Validity Checker“ flags this immediately.
3. The “Melting Pot” Math Trick
You want to exchange an old 18K ring and a 22K chain to make a new necklace. The jeweller says, “Madam, mixing them will drop the purity to 19K.” Is he telling the truth? Or is he using “jeweller math” to skim a few grams of fine gold off the top? You need a scientific calculator, not his word.
How to Use the FinMinutes Gold Hallmark Verification Terminal™
This Gold hallmark auditor tool is designed to be your companion at home before you visit the shop, and right at the counter when you are negotiating.
Module 1: The Visual & Photo Scanner (Your Digital Magnifying Glass)
Don’t know what to look for? Start here.
- Toggle the Truth: Switch between the “New (Safe)” and “Fake (Danger)” tabs. See exactly how a real HUID stamp looks versus a fake laser stamp.
- Scan & Compare (New Feature): Take a close-up photo of the mark on your jewellery and upload it to the Terminal. The tool places your photo right next to the official BIS Standard reference image. Do the logos match perfectly? Is the font correct? This side-by-side check is your first line of defence.
Module 2: The Gold jewellery HUID Decoder (The First Step to Verification)
The 6-digit HUID code is the key to your gold’s history.
- Action: Enter the Gold jewellery HUID Code (e.g.,
A5X9P2) into the Terminal. - The Check: Our system validates the format structure.
- The Next Step: If the format is valid, we provide direct, safe links to the official government BIS Care App. You must use the official app to see the jeweller’s name and date of marking. Never trust a jeweller’s screenshot; verify it on your own phone.
Module 3: The “Melting Pot” Simulator (Stop the Math Scams)
This feature alone can save you thousands during an exchange.
- Scenario: You are giving 10g of 22K and 15g of 18K for melting.
- Action: Add these items to the “Melting Pot” in the Terminal.
- The Result: The tool calculates the precise mathematical weighted average purity.
- Terminal says: “Combined Purity is 19.6 Karat.”
- Jeweller says: “It will become 18 Karat.”
- You say: “No. The math says 19.6K. I want credit for that.”
The Hero Feature: The Compensation & Complaint Generator
This is where knowledge turns into power. What happens if you get your “916” gold tested at a lab, and it comes back as “88 purity”? Most consumers just get angry and accept a lower exchange value. You are leaving money on the table.
According to the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) Act, 2016, and related regulations, if a hallmarked article fails a purity test, the jeweller is legally obligated to pay compensation.
How the Terminal Fights for You:
Step 1: Calculate the Shortage. Enter the billed purity (e.g., 91.6%), the actual lab-tested purity (e.g., 88.5%), the weight, and today’s gold rate.
- The Terminal calculates the exact value of the missing gold. (e.g., Refund Value: ₹5,000)
Step 2: Add the Mandatory Penalty. The law states that the compensation can be up to two times the shortage value, in addition to the refund.
- The Terminal calculates the penalty. (e.g., Penalty: ₹10,000)
Step 3: See the Total Claim
- Total Legal Claim: ₹5,000 + ₹10,000 = ₹15,000.
Step 4: Generate the Legal Complaint Letter. You don’t need a lawyer. Click the “Draft Complaint Letter” button. The Terminal instantly generates a professional, legally worded letter filled with your specific transaction details and calculated claim amounts, citing the relevant BIS Act provisions.
- Action: Copy this letter and email it to the jeweller or the BIS duty officer. Watch how quickly their tone changes.
Gold Hallmark Auditor: FAQs
Is it illegal to own or sell gold without gold jewellery HUID?
To own: No. You can keep your old gold forever.
To sell (as a consumer): No. You can sell your old, non-hallmarked gold to a jeweller. However, they will likely melt it to test purity and may deduct 10-20% value.
To sell (as a jeweller): YES. It is now illegal for a jeweller to sell new gold jewellery without the 6-digit HUID code.
The jeweller told me that 18K gold (diamond jewellery) cannot be hallmarked. Is that true?
This is a massive myth. Gold Hallmark is available for six grades: 14K, 18K, 20K, 22K, 23K, and 24K. Diamond jewellery is almost always set in 18K or 14K gold. It absolutely must carry the 18K750 or 14K585 hallmark along with the HUID. If it doesn’t, do not buy it.
How much does it cost to get purity tested at a lab?
You don’t need the jeweller’s permission to test your gold. You can take it to any BIS-recognised Assaying and Hallmarking Centre (AHC).
– The testing charge is nominal, usually around ₹45 per piece (plus taxes).
– Tip: If your gold fails the test, the BIS rules state the jeweller must reimburse you for these testing charges as well.
What if my old gold has the 4 marks but no HUID? Is it less valuable?
It is not necessarily less valuable in terms of gold content, as it was certified under the old system. However, it is less traceable. When exchanging it, some jewellers may still insist on a melting test because they cannot digitally verify its origin without the HUID. The new HUID system is designed to eliminate this friction.
Can a jeweller refuse to accept back their own non-hallmarked jewellery?
Reputable jewellers usually honour their own sales if you produce the original bill, even if the item isn’t hallmarked. However, they are not legally bound to give you 100% value if the purity tests low. This is why FinMinutes Gold Hallmark Verification Terminal™ is crucial; it tells you where you stand before you walk into the shop.
The Final Word: Be an Awakened Consumer.
The era of blind trust in the family jeweller is over. The era of data-backed verification has begun.
Gold is expensive. Don’t let anyone shortchange you on a single milligram. Use the FinMinutes Gold Hallmark Verification Terminal™ to ensure that every rupee you spend buys genuine, certified, and traceable purity. Scroll Up and Scan Your Gold Now.