- BIS enforcement teams uncover alleged sale of hallmarked jewellery without valid registration and pieces bearing fake hallmarking
- More than 114 gm seized from Suvarna Abhushan Jewellers in Krishnagar and over 134 gm from R S Zaveri in Nikol
- Consumers can instantly verify the authenticity of gold jewellery by entering the HUID number on the BIS Care mobile app
- Selling gold jewellery with fake or no HUID hallmarking can invite up to one year’s imprisonment or a fine of up to five times the value of the goods
NE LAW & BUSINESS BUREAU
AHMEDABAD, JULY 21
That glittering gold necklace may look perfect under the showroom lights—but the real test of its authenticity is not the sparkle, the sales pitch or even the bill. It is the HUID number.
In a major consumer-alert operation, the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS), Ahmedabad, conducted enforcement raids on two jewellers in the city and seized a total of more than 248 gm of gold jewellery allegedly linked to violations of hallmarking requirements.
The raids were carried out on July 20, 2026, at the premises of Suvarna Abhushan Jewellers, Krishnagar, Naroda, and R S Zaveri, Nikol, Ahmedabad.
During the enforcement operations, the BIS teams found jewellery being sold with hallmarking claims without a valid Certificate of Registration and also allegedly detected fake hallmarking without HUID.
The BIS team seized more than 114 gm of gold jewellery from Suvarna Abhushan Jewellers and over 134 gm from R S Zaveri.
The golden rule for buyers: No HUID, no blind trust
For consumers, the latest raids underline a crucial point: a hallmark symbol alone should not be treated as the final proof of authenticity.
The Hallmark Unique Identification (HUID) number provides consumers with a way to verify the authenticity of hallmarking. Buyers can enter the HUID number in the BIS Care mobile app to check the details associated with the hallmarked jewellery.
The verification step can help consumers avoid being misled by fake or unauthorised hallmarking claims.
Fake or HUID-less hallmarking can trigger criminal action
The BIS said that selling gold jewellery with fake hallmarking or without proper HUID hallmarking constitutes a violation of Sections 14 and 15 of the BIS Act, 2016.
Under Section 29 of the BIS Act, 2016, the offence is punishable with imprisonment of up to one year or a fine of not less than ₹1 lakh, which may extend to five times the value of the goods or articles produced, sold, offered for sale or affixed/applied with a Standard Mark, or both.
The action sends a strong message to jewellers and consumers alike at a time when gold remains one of the most valuable purchases made by Indian households.
BIS steps up enforcement to protect gold buyers
The BIS has been conducting a series of enforcement raids whenever information is received about the sale of jewellery without HUID or with fake hallmarking.
The Bureau has appealed to members of the public to share information about jewellers allegedly selling jewellery without HUID or with fake hallmarking.
Information may be sent to:
Head, Bureau of Indian Standards
Ahmedabad Branch Office
Third Floor, Navjivan Amrut Jayanti Bhavan
Behind Gujarat Vidyapith, Off Ashram Road
Ahmedabad – 380014
Telephone: 079-27540314
Complaints may also be emailed to ahbo@bis.gov.in or complaints@bis.gov.in, or submitted through the BIS Care App.
The BIS said the identity of informants would be kept strictly confidential.
Consumer takeaway: Three checks before you buy gold
- Look for the BIS hallmark.
2. Check the HUID number.
3. Verify the HUID through the BIS Care App before completing the purchase.
The message from the raids is unmistakable: when it comes to gold, a few seconds of digital verification can protect a lifetime of savings.
