
Dhanteras falls on 6 November in 2026, and buyers planning to purchase gold jewellery must verify purity beyond just checking the BIS hallmark, as fake hallmarks can be used. The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) provides a six-digit alphanumeric Hallmark Unique Identification (HUID) code stamped on certified jewellery, which can be verified through the BIS Care mobile app or its online portal.

The process involves locating the HUID code on the item, downloading the BIS Care app, entering the code, and reviewing the jeweller's details, hallmarking date, centre and gold purity. For unhallmarked jewellery, buyers can approach a BIS-recognised Assaying and Hallmarking Centre and get it tested for a fee. If hallmarked jewellery is found to have lesser purity than marked, the buyer is entitled to compensation of twice the value of the purity shortfall plus testing charges.
Gold prices on MCX have fallen more than Rs 38,600 from their record high of Rs 1,80,779 per 10 grams recorded on 29 January 2026, amid West Asia tensions and US inflation concerns. The lower prices have supported buying during Dussehra, and demand could pick up further on Dhanteras.
The HUID verification process gives buyers a way to check a jeweller's registration and the exact purity of an item before purchase, which is especially relevant during the festive buying season when small or local stores may not always display reliable hallmarks. The BIS compensation formula, twice the shortfall value plus testing charges, creates a concrete remedy if a customer later discovers a purity discrepancy, though it depends on the buyer having the original receipt and the item still available for retesting. Gold prices have dropped sharply from their January peak, and the article frames this as a buying opportunity without addressing whether further volatility could erase the discount.
Source: livemint.com
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