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Buying gold in India is considered a deal of trust. Be it a wedding, festival or investment, gold is the first choice on every occasion. People buy gold by investing their entire life’s earnings and think that it is a safe investment but do you know whether the gold you are buying is real or just its shine is real? Recently, a shocking case came to light from Rajasthan, where jewelery made by mixing copper and brass was sold as 22 carat gold.

Fake BIS (Bureau of Indian Standards) hallmark marks were also placed on these fake jewelery so that the buyer could be assured of genuine gold. That is, even though there was a government seal on the jewellery, it turned out to be fake. Dozens of such cases have come to light in the investigations conducted in Rajasthan, Maharashtra and Delhi. Fraudsters have become so vicious that one can be deceived even by looking at Hallmark. In such a situation, let us know how to identify real gold?

1. Check Hallmark

It is necessary to have BIS hallmark on gold, but the case of Rajasthan has proved that customers can be cheated even by putting fake BIS hallmark. Therefore, seeing the hallmark is not enough, it is equally important to verify it. Genuine Hallmarked jewelery has three things on it, the triangle mark of BIS, a purity number such as 916 for 22 carats and a 6 digit HUID (Hallmark Unique Identification) number. If any one of these is missing then think again before purchasing the jewellery.

2. Check HUID number from BIS Care app.

BIS Care App (Bureau of Indian Standards Consumer Awareness and Redressal App) is a tool through which you can see the complete details of any jewelery by entering its HUID number, its purity, information about the jeweler and hallmark. Open the app, go to ‘Verify HUID’ and enter the 6 digit alphanumeric code written on the jewellery. This app instantly connects to the central database of BIS and tells when and at which assaying center the jewel has been placed, which we also call gold purity testing center. This app is the only government recognized method, no third party website or scanner is official. If the HUID number is not found in the app then the jewelery may be fake.

3. The glitter looks like gold

Those who make fake gold first melt brass and copper in a furnace, then apply a special chemical on it, which makes it shine like gold. It looks exactly like real gold. Therefore, do not buy just by looking at the shine. Always get it checked with an XRF (X-Ray Fluorescence) machine by a trusted jeweler. This machine identifies the real metal inside the jewelery and tells how pure the gold is.

4. Always take a fixed bill

Many people do not consider it necessary to take a bill while buying gold, but this is the biggest mistake. Always take a bill which clearly mentions the hallmark number and purity of the jewellery. According to BIS rules, if the purity of hallmarked jewelery is less then the jeweler has to compensate for that deficiency up to double, but this can be done only if you have a confirmed bill.

5. Complain

If you feel that you have been cheated, do not panic. Complaints can be filed online on BIS website www.bis.gov.in. Apart from this, complaint can also be made through BIS Care App or send email to complaints@bis.gov.in. The government and BIS have initiated regular market checks and state legal metrology departments have been empowered to prevent such frauds. Your one complaint can save others too.