20-Carat or 22-Carat - The same Gold? Gold Testing Row Lands Malabar Showroom In Trouble

A gold-purity dispute at a Malabar Gold & Diamonds showroom in Bilaspur, Chhattisgarh, led to an FIR after a bracelet reportedly showed different purity readings during testing.

Same Gold, Different Purity! FIR Filed Against Malabar Gold Showroom

Diwali is approaching, and many people will soon be buying gold jewellery for themselves and their families. Gold is also a popular festive gift, and some customers exchange old jewellery for new designs. But how can buyers be sure that the gold they purchase or exchange has the purity promised by the jeweller? A gold-testing dispute at a Malabar Gold & Diamonds showroom in Bilaspur, Chhattisgarh, has raised this question.

The controversy began on 14 August 2026, when a customer's gold bracelet reportedly showed different purity readings during testing at the showroom. The incident led to a police complaint, an FIR and the seizure of the gold-testing machine for investigation.

How Did the Gold-Purity Dispute Begin?

On 14 August, a customer named Parvinder Singh visited the Malabar Gold & Diamonds showroom in Bilaspur to exchange a gold bracelet. He had purchased the bracelet from SK Jewellers in Bilaspur around a year earlier. The bracelet was marked as 22-carat gold and reportedly carried a Hallmark Unique Identification (HUID) number.

HUID is a six-digit alphanumeric identification number assigned to each hallmarked gold jewellery item. Buyers can use it to check the item's hallmark details through the BIS Care app. At the Malabar showroom, staff tested the bracelet using a gold-purity testing machine. According to the complaint, the machine showed a reading of 20-carat gold instead of the 22-carat purity marked on the bracelet.

The customer was also reportedly told that the bracelet did not have a HUID number.

Why Did the Same Bracelet Show Different Readings?

After the first test, the customer contacted Sagar Keshari, the owner of SK Jewellers, from whom he had purchased the bracelet. Keshari went to the Malabar showroom with the customer to examine the matter.

According to his complaint, the bracelet was tested two to three times, but the machine continued to show 20-carat purity. Keshari then identified himself as the jeweller who had sold the bracelet and questioned the test results. He asked the showroom staff to check the bracelet again.

During the next test, another staff member reportedly changed the machine's settings. The machine then displayed a reading of 916, which corresponds to 22-carat gold. This raised an important question: why did the same bracelet show 20-carat purity during the earlier tests and 22-carat purity later?

The reason for the different readings has not yet been established. The machine's technical condition, calibration and testing procedure will need to be examined.

What Did the Police Seize?

The incident triggered a protest by members of the Chhattisgarh Sarafa Association, which represents jewellery traders. The association's state president, Kamal Soni, demanded a fair investigation into the matter.

On 15 August 2026, Tarbahar Police registered an FIR based on a complaint by Sagar Keshari. The complaint named the showroom manager, the person operating the gold-testing machine and other employees.

Police also seized the gold-testing machine and the digital video recorder (DVR), which stores CCTV footage from the showroom. Investigators can examine the machine and its technical records to understand why the readings differed. The CCTV footage may also help establish the sequence of events during the tests.

However, an FIR records allegations and does not establish that the accused have committed an offence. The investigation is still important in determining what actually happened.

What Is HUID and How Can Buyers Verify It?

HUID stands for Hallmark Unique Identification. It is a six-digit alphanumeric number assigned to an individual hallmarked gold jewellery item.

Under the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) hallmarking system, hallmarked gold jewellery carries three important details:

  • The BIS logo.
  • The purity mark, such as 22K916.
  • The six-digit HUID number.

The number can be checked through the BIS Care app using its 'Verify HUID' feature. The number 916 indicates 91.6% gold content, which corresponds to 22-carat gold.

How Can You Protect Yourself When Buying or Exchanging Gold?

With the festive season approaching, buyers should take a few precautions before purchasing or exchanging gold jewellery.

  1. Check the hallmark: Look for the BIS logo, purity mark and six-digit HUID number on hallmarked jewellery.
  2. Verify the HUID: Use the 'Verify HUID' feature on the BIS Care app.
  3. Ask for a proper bill: Keep the invoice, which should mention the jewellery description, net precious-metal weight and purity.
  4. Understand the exchange calculation: Ask the jeweller to explain the purity, weight, deductions and final value used to calculate the exchange price.
  5. Seek independent testing: If you dispute a purity result, you can approach a BIS-recognised Assaying and Hallmarking Centre for testing.

Gold can be an expensive purchase, especially during festivals. Checking the hallmark, keeping the bill and understanding the testing process can help protect your money.

The Bilaspur incident also highlights why transparency in gold-purity testing is important for both customers and jewellery businesses.

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