Buying gold or silver Lakshmi-Ganesha idols for Diwali puja 2026? BIS hallmark rules; key checks to make before paying

Buying gold or silver Lakshmi-Ganesha idols for Diwali puja? Know whether these idols fall under mandatory BIS hallmarking rules, how to verify HUID through the BIS Care app, and what to check about purity, weight, workmanship and making charges before purchase.

Gold and silver purchases are considered auspicious during Dhanteras and Diwali. While jewellery, coins, and utensils are popular choices, many households also buy Lakshmi-Ganesha idols made of precious metals for Diwali puja.

Buyers can choose from 925 sterling silver, 999 fine silver, or solid 22K and 24K gold idols, depending on their budget and preference. Silver idols are generally more popular and cost-effective than gold idols.

But are these idols also covered under BIS hallmarking rules, just like gold and silver jewellery? Here is what buyers should know about hallmarking rules and the key checks to make before paying the jeweller.

Is hallmarking mandatory for gold and silver idols?

According to BIS's latest hallmarking scheme brief released on 1 October, “mandatory hallmarking of gold jewellery/artefacts was introduced on 23 June 2021 in 256 districts. Through successive amendments, the coverage has since expanded to 392 districts.”

The mandatory gold hallmarking framework covers seven gold caratages (fineness in parts per thousand) under IS 1417: 9K (375), 14K (585), 18K (750), 20K (833), 22K (916), 23K (958) and 24KS (995). Certain categories are exempt, subject to applicable conditions. These include gold articles below two grams, specified Kundan, Polki and Jadau articles.

Silver hallmarking, however, is voluntary. As per the revised IS 2112:2025 standard, silver articles hallmarked under the BIS scheme must carry a 6-digit HUID (Hallmark Unique Identification) from 1 September 2025. The eight permitted fineness grades are 800, 835, 900, 925, 958, 970, 990 and 999.