Fake gold hallmark stamps may rise; GJC flags fraud risk for buyers

Consumers bear the hallmarking cost when purchasing jewellery. However, many buyers are still unaware that they can verify the Hallmark Unique Identification (HUID) number through the Bureau of Indian Standards' Care mobile application. Data from the government cited by the GJC shows that the number of recognised assaying and hallmarking centres (AHCs) rose to 1,577 in July 2026 from 1,220 in July 2022.