New Delhi, Dec. 4 -- Within the first three months of introducing mandatory hallmark unique identification (HUID) for silver, more than 1.6 million pieces have already been hallmarked, reflecting strong uptake among jewellers and growing confidence among consumers, the consumer affairs ministry said in a statement on Thursday.

While silver hallmarking itself remains voluntary, the government has made HUID compulsory for any silver article that is hallmarked, marking a major push to curb fake hallmarking and strengthen purity assurance. HUID is a unique six-digit alphanumeric code laser-marked on each hallmarked gold or silver item to ensure complete digital traceability and purity verification.

As per the consumer affairs ministry, the ...