Silver is having a moment in Indian homes, and Dhanteras falls on Friday, 6 November this year. So if an anklet, a pooja thali or a set of silver coins is on your list, it helps to know how a silver hallmark works. In short, a genuine hallmark tells you the metal’s purity, and a quick app check can confirm it.

Demand is clearly rising. Hallmarked silver jewellery articles rose to 5.9 million in 2025-26, up from 3.2 million a year earlier, according to Bureau of Indian Standards figures reported by PTI. Many buyers are shifting from costly gold to silver.

What a silver hallmark actually is

A hallmark is an official mark that certifies the fineness of a precious metal. In India, the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) runs the scheme, and silver falls under the standard IS 2112. Silver hallmarking has been available since 2005. However, unlike gold, it is still voluntary.

So a jeweller can legally sell unhallmarked silver, and many still do. Still, from 1 September 2025, hallmarked silver became far easier to trust. It now carries a Hallmark Unique Identification (HUID) code, the same digital tracing system used for gold. Also, a revised standard, IS 2112:2025, replaced the 2014 version.

The three marks to look for

Under the current system, a hallmark on silver has three parts. The marks are tiny, so you will usually need a magnifier. In fact, BIS asks registered jewellers to keep at least a 10x magnifying glass for customers.

  • The BIS standard mark, along with the word “SILVER”.
  • The purity grade, shown as a number such as 925.
  • The HUID, a unique code given to that particular piece.

If one of these is missing on a piece sold as newly hallmarked, ask the jeweller why before you pay.

Reading the purity grade

The grade is simply the parts of pure silver per thousand. For example, 925 means 92.5 percent silver, and the rest is other metal added for strength. The revised standard lists seven grades.

Grade Silver content Note
800 80% Lowest grade
835 83.5%
925 92.5% Often called sterling silver
958 95.8% Added in 2025
970 97%
990 99%
999 99.9% Added in 2025

Higher is not always better for jewellery, though. Pure silver is soft, so it bends and scratches easily. That is why 925 is so common in rings and chains.

How to verify a silver hallmark on the BIS Care app

  1. Install the official BIS Care app from the Play Store or the App Store.
  2. Choose the option to verify a HUID, then enter the code printed on the piece or the bill.
  3. Read the details it shows: the article type, purity grade, hallmarking date, testing centre and the jeweller’s registration number.
  4. Then match them against the item in your hand. For instance, a “ring” result for a pair of earrings is a red flag.

This check works for silver hallmarked from 1 September 2025 onwards. Older hallmarked pieces have no HUID, so the app cannot trace them.

Check the bill as well

According to BIS, the bill for a hallmarked item should describe the article. It should also state the net silver weight, the fineness and the hallmarking charge. Meanwhile, making and wastage charges are separate, so ask for each line to be shown clearly.

Also note that only BIS registered jewellers can send items for hallmarking. These shops must display their registration certificate and a board with the BIS logo. You can look up licensed jewellers and recognised centres on the BIS website.

If you doubt a piece

You do not have to take the shop’s word for it. BIS says a consumer can get a hallmarked item tested at any recognised Assaying and Hallmarking Centre, and its FAQ lists the testing charge as ₹200. About 230 such centres currently test silver. If something is wrong, you can also raise a complaint through the BIS Care app.

Common mistakes when buying silver

  • Treating a stamped “925” as a hallmark. Anyone can stamp a number. The BIS mark and the HUID are what make it verifiable.
  • Skipping the app check in a busy shop. It takes about a minute, so do it at the counter.
  • Not asking for an itemised bill. Without weight and fineness on paper, a later dispute gets harder.
  • Expecting every piece to be hallmarked. Because the scheme is voluntary, unhallmarked silver is legal. It simply comes without the same assurance.

In short, three small marks and a quick check can make this festive purchase far less of a guess.

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