How to Verify Silver Purity Before Buying: A Buyer's Checklist

Buying silver in India should be a confident, joyful experience — not an anxious one. With the right knowledge, verifying silver purity takes less than five minutes. Here is a complete buyer's checklist.

Before You Go to the Shop

1. Know today's silver rate Check the current MCX silver rate before visiting any silver shop. This is the base price per gram of 999 fine silver. Knowing this rate lets you calculate whether a quoted price is reasonable.

2. Know what purity you want Most silver articles in India are 925 (sterling silver) or 999 (fine silver). 925 is the standard for silverware and articles; 999 is used for coins and bars. Decide which you want before shopping.

3. Bring the BIS Care app Download the BIS Care app on your smartphone. This allows instant verification of any BIS hallmarked article's purity and origin.

At the Shop: Checklist

✅ Check for BIS Hallmark

Look for the BIS mark (triangle with BIS), purity number (925), and 6-digit HUID on the article. This mark should be clearly visible — not rubbed off or illegible.

✅ Verify the HUID on BIS Care App

Enter the HUID from the article into the BIS Care app. Confirm:

• Metal type: Silver
• Purity: 925 (or your desired grade)
• Jeweller name: matches the shop you are in
• Date: recent (not suspiciously old)

✅ Weigh the Article

Ask the shopkeeper to weigh the article on their scale. Then:

• Note the weight in grams
• Calculate the metal cost yourself: weight × silver rate × 0.925
• Compare to the quoted price to understand the making charges

✅ Ask for Weight Certificate or Bill

Any reputable silver shop will issue a bill or certificate showing:

• Article description
• Weight in grams
• Purity (925/999)
• Making charges
• GST amount

✅ Physical Inspection

• Surface should be uniformly silver with no patches of different colour
• Weight should feel substantial for the size
• Finish should be consistent — no rough spots or visible joins on cast pieces
• Hallmark should be stamped clearly, not hand-written or stuck on

Red Flags to Watch For

🚩 No BIS hallmark — illegal for registered jewellers since 2022

🚩 Hallmark doesn't verify on app — could be fake or tampered

🚩 Price much lower than calculated metal cost — impossible if it's genuine

🚩 Article feels very light for its size — may be hollow, plated, or a base metal

🚩 Seller refuses to weigh the article — a major warning sign

🚩 Different colour at edges or base — signs of plating wearing off

🚩 Pushy selling without allowing inspection — avoid

The Quick 60-Second Check

When you do not have much time:

1. Look for BIS hallmark (5 seconds)
2. Scan HUID on BIS Care app (20 seconds)
3. Feel the weight (5 seconds)
4. Check price against your mental estimate (10 seconds)

If all four pass — you are buying genuine silver.

Why We Encourage This at Faincy Silver

At Faincy Silver in Jaipur, we welcome every single check above. We will give you the BIS Care app to scan ourselves. We will weigh every article on a calibrated scale in front of you. We will explain our making charges openly.

We have been selling BIS 925 hallmarked silver articles since 1939. Our reputation over 85+ years is built on complete transparency. An educated buyer who knows exactly what they are getting is our ideal customer.