GJ Town India

HK Group Completes 12 Years of Mass Marriage Festivals   Hari Krishna (HK) Exports Pvt. Ltd., a global leader in the diamond industry and a champion of community empowerment, hosted its 12th Annual Mass Marriage Festival on 27th November 2024. The event united 32 couples in a heartfelt ceremony at the HK Hub Facility in Surat, bringing the total number of couples joined under this initiative to an inspiring 553. This year, the couples hailed from 50 villages, 40 cities, and 4 states, exemplifying the diversity and reach of this cherished tradition.   Reflecting the spirit of love, community, and care, the festival drew over 2,000 attendees, including family members, friends, and well-wishers from the Hari Krishna community and the company’s top management. Each couple was blessed with essential household items, including gold ornaments, silverware, and home essentials, symbolising the company’s commitment to supporting their new beginnings. Speaking at the event, Savji...

Gemfields announces auction results of higher-quality emeralds   Gemfields announces the results of an auction comprised of higher-quality rough emeralds held during the period 4 – 21 November 2024. According to the reported highlights of the November 2024 Higher-Quality Emerald Auction is, 1: Total auction revenues of USD 16.1 million, 2: 43 lots were offered for sale of which 30 were sold (70%), 3: 141,084 carats of 200,460 offered were sold (70%), 4: Average price of USD 113.96 per carat, 5: The 50 auctions of Kagem gemstones held since July 2009 have generated USD 1,068 million in total revenues.   Adrian Banks, Gemfields’ Managing Director of Product & Sales, commented, “While the top quality lots in this auction saw bidding within touching distance of our all-time records for emeralds, the overall result for this auction is very disappointing, driven by fewer and poorer bids for lesser quality grades. While the wider luxury and gemstone markets are undeniably...

The campaign for NDs revives the iconic A Diamond is Forever   De Beers Group launched a new marketing campaign, Forever Present, to reinforce desirability for natural diamonds over the key holiday gifting season in the U.S. The campaign sees the return of the iconic; A Diamond is Forever, tagline following its reintroduction to De Beers’ category marketing activities last year.   Highlighting a diverse array of gifting opportunities for natural diamonds this holiday season, the campaign celebrates familial, friendship and romantic relationships under the premise that natural connections deserve natural diamonds, making them the ideal choice for celebrating special moments with special people. The campaign reinforces the notion that natural diamonds are a store of emotional value that enable precious memories to remain forever present.  The campaign features diverse real-life couples, illustrating unforgettable moments and key milestones worth celebrating with th...

GJEPC, urges the Government to align the definition of NDs & LGDs The Gem & Jewellery Export Promotion Council (GJEPC), apex body for the gem & jewellery (GJ) trade in India, has adopted the new mandated definition, nomenclature and guidelines for diamonds specified by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) of the United States (U.S.). The FTC’s updated guidelines provide a clear, standardised definition of diamond (ND) and distinct terminology for laboratory-grown diamonds (LGDs), ensuring clarity and transparency for both industry stakeholders and consumers.    GJEPC’s members will ensure compliance with the new definition of ‘diamond’ and request all other gem and jewellery trade bodies and retailers to do the same. Additionally, GJEPC is leading the consultation with the Govt. and made representation to the Consumer Affairs Ministry to align this new definition with the country’s consumer laws.    This alignment will empower consumers to make info...

Organizes Mega Blood Donation Camp & 616 blood units collected   Bharat Diamond Bourse Organizes Mega Blood Donation Camp on 26/11 Martyrs’ Remembrance Day! On the solemn occasion of the 26/11 Martyrs' Remembrance Day, Bharat Diamond Bourse (BDB) organized its annual Mega Blood Donation Camp, honoring the memory of those who lost their lives in the tragic 2008 attacks.  This year, the camp saw an incredible response from the BDB community, with a total of 616 blood units collected to support hospitals and healthcare services.    As part of the initiative, 494 blood units were donated by BDB members and office employees, including 122 units from BDB employees and outsourced staff. Additionally, BDB’s partners, including Tata Blood Bank (212 units), Jaslok Hospital (204 units), and Mahatma Gandhi Blood Bank (200 units), played a key role in collecting a total of 616 units.    The blood donation camp is a tribute to the bravery and sacrifice of the 26/11...

3rd Season Inaugurated by Amir Lone, Captain of JK Para Cricket Team   BDB Sports Complex is proud to announce the opening of its state-of-the-art padel court, a significant addition aimed at enhancing sports and recreation in the region. The ceremony was graced by the esteemed presence of Amir Hussain Lone, Captain of Jammu & Kashmir’s Para Cricket Team, who officially inaugurated the facility, marking a new chapter in promoting inclusive sports.   The event was attended by a vibrant mix of sports enthusiasts, community members, and local dignitaries, all gathered to celebrate the expansion of the BDB Sports Complex. During his address, Lone shared his personal journey, recounting the challenges he has faced throughout his career.  His powerful message emphasized resilience, the importance of never giving up, and the need to move forward in life despite the obstacles it may present. Lone's story of perseverance has inspired countless individuals, especially t...

CCPA hosts consultation for the protection of consumer interest   Guidelines would eliminate Confusion by Standardizing Terminology for Natural Diamond (ND) and Lab-Grown Diamonds (LGDs)! The Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA), organized a Stakeholder Consultation on Consumer Protection in the Diamond Sector to deliberate on the use of appropriate terminology for diamonds. The consultation, chaired by Nidhi Khare, Chief Commissioner, CCPA, brought together key industry stakeholders and experts.   The meeting addressed critical concerns regarding the lack of standardized terminology and inadequate disclosure practices in the diamond sector. These gaps have resulted in consumer confusion and misleading practices, especially concerning the differentiation between natural diamonds and lab-grown diamonds.   During the consultation the broad key aspects and prevailing Legal and Regulatory frameworks were discussed in detailed. For example, the Legal Metrol...

She highlighted the contributions of women in the jewellery sector   Smriti Zubin Irani, Former Union Minister, visited the India Jewellery Exposition Centre (IJEX) in Dubai, where she engaged with women exporters from India and women jewellery professionals based in Dubai. Her visit highlighted the remarkable contributions of women in the jewellery industry and the pivotal role of IJEX, an initiative of GJEPC, in boosting exports and expanding global reach for Indian exporters.   During her address, Irani emphasized the need to redefine the narrative around women in the jewellery sector. “While the industry often romanticizes the relationship between women and jewellery, it’s time to acknowledge their substantial business contributions. Women are not just consumers or designers—they are leaders, entrepreneurs, and innovators driving significant revenue across various verticals,” she remarked. She further stated that the collective turnover and impact generated by wo...

Smriti Irani leads GJEPC Session on Empowering Women Entrepreneurs   The Gem & Jewellery Export Promotion Council (GJEPC) organised a session titled “Empowering Women Entrepreneurs in the Business of Gem & Jewellery Exports” at the Deputy Speaker Hall, Constitution Club of India in New Delhi on 19th November. The event highlighted the critical role of women in driving innovation and growth in the gem and jewellery sector.    Former Union Minister Smt. Smriti Zubin Irani was the Chief Guest, known for her advocacy for women’s empowerment, Smt. Irani shared her vision for creating a more inclusive and supportive environment for women entrepreneurs in the industry.    Prominent GJEPC members in attendance included Shri Ashok Seth, North Region Chairman; Shri Anil Sankhwal, Convener, Studded Jewellery Panel; Shri Shaunak Parikh, Convener, Banking Insurance & Taxation; Renu Sharma, Member Studded Jewellery Panel, GJEPC and Sabyasachi Ray, Executive Direct...

Amritsar the major centres for Meenakari & Jadau jewellery   The Ministry of Commerce & Industry has issued an update in the Gazette of India announcing an important amendment to the Handbook of Procedures, 2023, to further streamline jewellery exports. The Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) issued a public notice dated 13th November adding Amritsar Airport as an authorised export point for gold, silver, and platinum jewellery.   The inclusion of Amritsar Airport comes after persistent efforts by the GJEPC, which has been consistently advocating for streamlining export procedures and promoting regional growth within the industry. This move will significantly boost the export potential of precious jewellery, especially for businesses in Punjab and surrounding areas.   Expressing his gratitude to the government, Vipul Shah, Chairman, GJEPC, said, “We are thankful to the government for their continued support in enhancing the ease of doing busine...

Achieves major outcomes & India set a successful milestone!   The Kimberley Process (KP) Plenary 2024, held in Dubai from 12-15 November. The UN-mandated Kimberley Process (KP) Plenary concluded as part of the historic Dubai Diamond Week which gathered hundreds of representatives from across the diamond world including industry, governments, and civil society.    India achieved significant milestones at the Kimberley Process (KP) Plenary 2024, Dubai. Led by Siddharth Mahajan, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Commerce, Government of India along with R. Arulanandan, Director, Department of Commerce, the Indian delegation included prominent representatives from the Gem and Jewellery Export Promotion Council (GJEPC), who played a pivotal role in advancing global standards for conflict-free diamond trade.    The delegation included Sabyasachi Ray, Executive Director, GJEPC along with key GJEPC representatives including Rajat Wani, Asst. Director; Sabyasachi Ghosh, As...