People often call their gold “Indian gold,” assuming it means the highest karat. Gold bought in India typically does run higher karat — but not always, and the confusion is worth untangling.
22K by reputation, 18–23K in practice
22 karat is hugely popular across South Asia, especially India. But unless you buy from a reputable seller, actual purity can drift to 18–23K or lower — and a simple “22K” stamp can be faked.
The BIS hallmark: the credible stamp
India’s Bureau of Indian Standards hallmark (est. 2000) is far harder to fake, combining five parts:
- The BIS logo
- The karat of the gold
- The certifying centre’s logo
- The jeweller’s mark
- The year of manufacture
BIS marking isn’t mandatory and many sellers skip it — but a full set of correct stamps supports both confidence and value.
Bottom line: “Indian gold” describes a tradition, not a purity. The karat on the scale is what counts — and testing settles it in minutes.
Curious about your gold’s true purity — BIS-marked or not? We test it free, in front of you.
