According to reports from Upstox, the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) has established seven grades of silver for mandatory hallmarking under the latest notification in September 2025. These grades are represented in parts of silver per thousand (fineness) and range between 800 and 999. Silver, in its original form, is highly soft and requires the addition of copper and other metals to render it strong and durable for various applications.
As reported by Upstox, the 999 grade (Fine Silver) represents the highest purity at 99.9% and is commonly used in investment bars, coins, and high-end items. The 970 grade (Traditional Silver) is also of high purity and is conventionally used in silverware and utensils. The 958 grade (Britannia Silver) has 95.8% purity, while the 925 grade (Sterling Silver) is the standard form used in daily-wear jewellery at 92.5% purity. The 900 grade (Coin Silver) is used for traditional jewellery, decorative, and structural items, and the 835 grade is an alloy used for utensils and ornaments. The 800 grade represents the lowest recognized standard and is often used in large utensils and structural decor.
According to Upstox, silver jewellery above 2 grams must carry a BIS hallmark under IS 2112:2025. A genuine hallmark includes the BIS logo, purity grade, Assaying & Hallmarking Centre mark, jeweller's ID, and a unique 6-digit alphanumeric HUID code. The BIS CARE App Verification can be used to scan the HUID, and if it returns 'Invalid HUID' or 'No Record Found,' the purchase should be avoided. Consumers should beware of items marked 'Silver Plated,' 'EPNS,' or 'German Silver' as these are not real silver, and real silver won't stick to a magnet or leave black residue when rubbed on white tissue.
As reported by Upstox, silver prices skyrocketed to above ₹4,00,000 at the beginning of 2026 before declining later amid geopolitical developments. Despite the 32% decline from its peak, most commodity experts see a long-term bull run intact in the white metal. The article emphasizes that investors should make informed decisions by understanding the different purity grades available in India, ensuring they purchase from BIS-registered jewellers, and demanding tax invoices mentioning the HUID code for legal protection.
