Purity grades
| Grade | Silver content | Typical use |
|---|---|---|
| 999 | 99.9% | Bars and coins |
| 990, 970, 958 | 99.0%, 97.0%, 95.8% | Articles and some jewellery |
| 925 | 92.5% | Sterling jewellery, silverware |
| 835, 800 | 83.5%, 80.0% | Lower-purity articles |
How silver hallmarking works
Silver hallmarking is voluntary: a jeweller may sell unhallmarked silver. From 1 September 2025, any silver that is hallmarked must carry three marks: the BIS standard mark with the word SILVER, the purity grade, and a six-character HUID. In June 2026 BIS said it was studying whether to make silver hallmarking mandatory; no date has been set.
To check a piece, open the BIS CARE app, choose “Verify HUID” and enter the code. It shows the jeweller, the hallmarking centre, the purity and the type of article.
What the bill should show
- Gross weight and net silver weight, if stones or other materials are included.
- Purity grade and HUID of each hallmarked piece.
- Rate per gram or per kilogram.
- Making charges as a separate line.
- GST at 3%.
Home tests and their limits
- Magnet: silver is not magnetic, so a piece that sticks strongly is not solid silver. Many fakes, such as copper or brass, are not magnetic either, so passing proves nothing.
- Heat: silver conducts heat very well, so ice melts quickly on a solid silver coin. Other metals such as copper behave similarly.
- Avoid chemical tests at home; they can damage the piece and are easy to misread.
- The reliable checks are a BIS hallmark with a valid HUID, or testing at a BIS-recognised assaying and hallmarking centre.
Frequently asked questions
- Is silver hallmarking mandatory in India?
- No. It is voluntary. Silver that is hallmarked must carry a HUID since 1 September 2025.
- Does tarnish mean silver is fake?
- No. Silver darkens when it reacts with sulphur in the air; the tarnish can be cleaned.
- How much GST is charged on silver?
- 3% on the purchase.
- Is this page investment advice?
- No. It explains how prices, purity and taxes work, with sources. It does not recommend buying, selling or holding any product. See our Financial Disclaimer.
Sources
- PTI via The Week: voluntary HUID silver hallmarking from 1 September 2025
- Business Today: BIS assesses readiness for mandatory silver hallmarking (June 2026)
- All India Radio: BIS expands HUID silver hallmarking (28 August 2026)
- BIS: hallmarking FAQs
- CBIC: GST rates for goods
This guide explains rules and prices for general information. It is not investment, tax or legal advice. Duty and tax rules change; check the official source before you act. See our Financial Disclaimer and Corrections Policy.