GJ Town India

GJEPC held the 8 th Artisan Awards 2025, Graced by Princess of Jaipur   The much-anticipated 8 th Artisan Awards 2025 concluded on a grand note, with Princess Gauravi Kumari of Jaipur gracing the occasion as the esteemed chief guest. Known for her patronage of art and culture, Princess Gauravi presented the awards to the winners, lauding their ingenuity and dedication to preserving Indian craftsmanship and design. India is eyeing to attain the global design hub stature!   The 8th edition of The Artisan Awards, was hosted by the Gem & Jewellery Export Promotion Council (GJEPC), powered by GIA, in association with World Gold Council. At the Artisan Awards, designers have challenged the designs, they have pushed & redefined design to a next level. Designers have upgraded jewellery design! The evening showcased 20 breathtaking designs that represented an interesting union of age-old skills and innovation, reinforcing India’s position as a global leader in jewell...

Rudraksha & Coral blending handcrafted design!   Recently, Gem & Jewellery Export Promotion Council (GJEPC), powered by GIA, in association with World Gold Council, held the 8th Artisan Awards 2025, Graced by Princess of Jaipur. A Royal Salute to Indian Craftsmanship by Gauravi Kumari.  Gauravi Kumari honoured designer Malvika Vadsak, piece manufactured by Walking Tree Ventures- as the Winner of the Artisan Awards 2025. Talking to Nayan Jani, Editor-GJ Town India Malvika explained the motif. “The motif is further adorned with intricately carved coral beads, each capped with a round diamond.  The rudraksha seeds are accentuated with black onyx, while select elements are gracefully caged in twisted wire. Sacred motifs of coral and rudraksha offer protection and spiritual enhancement” Malvika expressed.    By explaining the grafted jewellery, Malvika said, “traditionally, artisans would bless such pieces by chanting mantras and placing them in temple...

  Import of fewer rough diamonds for April 2024 to December 2024   Inflation, global uncertainties & other electronics and digital options have collected a toll collectively. Improvement is expected in the 2025! India is the largest global center for diamond manufacturing and therefore, India keeps a keen watch on the global diamond demand & trends and accordingly India import of fewer rough diamonds in 9months for the period of April 2024 to December 2024.     According to the gross imports of rough diamonds that recorded in the value term, at US$ 7882.58 million (Rs 66066.49 crores) for the period of April 2024 to December 2024 (9months) have shown a decline of 22.1% (-20.98% Rs. term) compared with the imports at US$ 10118.93 million (Rs. 83603.48 crores) for previous year. In volume terms gross Import of rough diamonds at 746.52 lakhs carats during April 2024 to December 2024 (9months) has shown a decline of 14.150% compared with the imports ...

  WFDB launches social media campaign for Natural Diamonds   The World Federation of Diamond Bourses (WFDB) has launched a social media campaign to promote natural diamonds. Called, Moments- the campaign celebrates the emotional significance of natural diamonds in life’s most cherished memories.   The first post features a mother gifting her diamond ring to her daughter, saying ‘This diamond has seen me through life’s most precious moments, and now it will witness yours.’ It adds, “A natural diamond like this isn’t just jewelry – it’s a symbol of permanence, a reminder of the bond we share, and a connection to the love passed down through generations.” The tagline of the campaign is Crafted by Earth, Celebrated by You.   WFDB President Yoram Dvash said that promoting natural diamonds is a key goal of the federation. “We are dedicated to doing our part to place natural diamonds back in their rightful position as symbols of everlasting love. This campaign i...

To integrate SEZs into the domestic market appropriately    Recently, at the pre-budget occasion, Colin Shah, MD, Kama Jewelry said on, Expectations from the upcoming Budget 2025-26. He said, the gem and jewelry industry is one of the key contributors to the economy and a huge employment creator in the country. However, over the past two years, the industry has been facing numerous challenges and needs urgent government intervention.  A push must be made to encourage Jewellery manufacturing in India. The Finance Minister must consider amending the current SEZ Act in order to integrate SEZs into the domestic market appropriately.  The upcoming budget should also look at allowing ‘reverse job-work’, allowing SEZs to utilise their capacities more effectively.  Hence, when exports are consistently declining, this can prove to be a timely remedy to address the issue.  The budget should also consider extending tax exemptions and simplifying the tax structure ...

The UAE Ambassador to India visits GJEPC Mumbai   H.E. Dr. Abdulnasser Alshaali, PhD, Ambassador of the UAE to India, visited the GJEPC head office and the Bharat Diamond Bourse (BDB) in Mumbai on 23rd January 2025. He was warmly welcomed by Kirit Bhansali, Vice Chairman, GJEPC; Anoop Mehta, President, BDB; Milan Chokshi, Convener – PMBD, GJEPC; Mehul Shah, Vice President, BDB; and Sabyasachi Ray, Executive Director, GJEPC among others. The Ambassador was accompanied by a delegation comprising Fahad Albashr, Head of the Economic Affairs Section; Ahmed Aljneibi, Senior Economic Affairs Specialist; Humaid Aldhabahi, Head of the Department of Consular and Citizen Affairs; Geoffrey Flugge, Advisor to the Ambassador; Gauri Chopra, Analyst from the UAE Embassy; and Dr. Brenton Clark, Project Coordinator, UAE-India CEPA Council.    The discussions focused on leveraging the Indo-UAE Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) to enhance bilateral trade in gems and jew...

Gold has a key role as a strategic long-term investment   Recently, Gold as a strategic asset 2025, edition published by World Gold Council (WGC). The report spark all those portfolio player’s by asking, what makes gold a strategic asset?   Gold has a key role as a strategic long-term investment and as a mainstay allocation in a well-diversified portfolio. Investors have been able to recognise much of gold’s value over time by maintaining a long-term allocation and taking advantage of its safe-haven status during periods of economic uncertainty. Gold is a highly liquid asset, which is no one’s liability, carries no credit risk, and is scarce, historically preserving its value over time. It also benefits from diverse sources of demand: as an investment, a reserve asset, gold jewellery, and a technology component.    These attributes mean gold can enhance a portfolio in three key ways; 1: Delivering long-term returns, 2: Improving diversification & 3: Provi...

Bharat’s Studded Gold Jewellery exports grew 15.57% in December’24   According to the available provisional statistics pertaining to India’s export & import of Gem & Jewellery (GJ) for the month of December 2024 & also for the  for the April to December 2024, India is registering growth in the category.   India’s total gross export of Gold Jewellery at US$ 868.03 million (Rs. 7374.41 crores) in month of December 2024 is showing a decline of 3.56% (-1.63% in Rs. term) as compared to US$ 900.11 million (Rs. 7496.27 crores) for the same period of previous year. Provisional gross export of Total Gold Jewellery for the period April to December 2024 at US$ 8072.140 million (Rs. 67742.11 crores) shown a growth of 2.23% (3.58% Rs. term) over the comparative figure of US$ 7896.15 million (Rs. 65398.73 crores) for previous year.    The total export of Plain Gold Jewellery at US$ 461.48 (Rs. 3920.88 crores) in month of December 2024 is showing a Decline...

Philux claim affiliation of WFDB & raising funds from the public   The World Federation of Diamond Bourses (WFDB) has officially denied a claim made by Philux Global Group, which is raising funds from the public for investment in the Asian Diamond Exchange, among other projects, that this purported diamond exchange is affiliated with the World Federation of Diamond Bourses.  The WFDB, founded in 1947, is the official association of diamond bourses internationally. Today 27 bourses throughout the world are members of the Federation and adhere to its stringent standards.    While the WFDB encourages the establishment of new diamond bourses and aids and support bourses in their early stages, the Asian Diamond Exchange has not asked to be affiliated with the WFDB, nor has it contacted the federation at any time. Founded in 1947, the WFDB currently has 29 affiliated bourse members located in major diamond centers throughout the world. The WFDB encourages the estab...

Readers at Pinterest contributes over 50K a month with over 70K impressions! Deep gratitude to Readers : “All these Auto-Computer generated fact-n-figures are a great tribute of readers in GJ Town India! I express my deep gratitude to remain with the platform consistently” said Nayan Jani, Editor & Publisher- Royalnib Publication. GJ Town India is one of the key activities of Royalnib Publication. GJ signifies Gem-n-Jewellery!   Statement occurred by Auto-Computer generated Stat at GJ Town India cheers all by all-time readers that surpass the 100K and reached 101,225. On the other hand, growing readers’ month over months crossed the 10K mark & reached 10360 over the November readers of 9890.   Accessing news online is a growing trend & it is also a part of the new normal in the post Covid-19 era. Monthly readers in GJ Town India were 3226 in the year 2018 and that grew to 6398 which is now 10360 as of December 31, 2020.   GJ Professionals, key rea...

  The two nations can be resilient Trusted partners in the global value chain!   The Commerce and Industry Minister Shri Piyush Goyal has invited the US business and industry to work with their Indian counterparts to take the bilateral trade to greater heights. Addressing the US-India Strategic Partnership Forum (USISPF) through a virtual conference, Shri Goyal said that the two democracies share deep commitment with each other, at the Government, Business and people to people levels.   Both countries believe in free and fair trade, and the US is India’s largest trading partner. He said that going beyond the trade, in this interconnected world, the two nations can be the resilient trusted partners in global value chain. Shri Goyal outlined to the members of USISPF about the steps being undertaken in the country, to facilitate industry and investments. He said that GIS-enabled land bank has been launched on pilot basis, with six states on board, which will help the investo...

  Buyer and seller meet in a virtual format   Update 1: Gem & Jewellery Export Promotion Council (GJEPC) is opening the first ever Virtual Buyer Seller Meet (VBSM) in the presence of the Chairman, Colin Shah-Chairman, Vipul Shah-Vice Chairman under the Chief Guestship of Suresh Kumar, Joint Secretary, Department of Commerce, Ministry of Commerce and Industry in the presence of Committee of Administration, trade fraternity. Suresh Kumar is the key player at the inaugural event.  For the first time, GJEPC is hosting their buyer and seller meet in a virtual format, amidst the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic.  The virtual format of this unique buyers and sellers meet will give an opportunity for Indian domestic jewellery manufacturers to showcase diamond collections to global buyers in a virtual format, thus continuing the momentum of the gems and jewellery trade.   The VBSM is scheduled on September 3 & 4. The VBSMs will help our buyers to check out new produ...

Launches new store in Aurangabad As India unlocks and gets ready to battle the Covid - 19 pandemic in a post lock-down world, India’s most trusted jewellery brand PNG Jewellers inaugurated their 2nd store in Aurangabad yesterday. This new store takes up its global store tally to 39 Stores!    The Inauguration of the store was done in the presence of many distinguished guests, Dr Saurabh Gadgil, Chairman and Managing director PNG Jewellers, Mr Parag Gadgil and members of the prestigious Bora, Shingvi and Papdiwal families. The new store will offer a wide range of PNG's signature gold, silver and diamond jewellery in a 2600 sq. ft. state of the art facility.   The spacious store offers some of the most classic yet contemporary jewellery designs for new age women.  Strategically located at Kalda Corner in Aurangabad, the store will ensure that the brand is able to cater to the growing diaspora of Aurangabad. The store has the same look and feel as other PNG Jewell...

  ICA reports on Thailand   ICA Ambassador Kennedy Ho reported on Thailand. His report says, in the beginning of January 2020, the gem business in Thailand was still good. Most dealers were expecting a good 2020. The first Covid-19 confirmed case emerged on 13 January 2020 and Thailand had the world’s first COVID-19 case outside of China.   After the Tucson fair in early February, we still managed to do the Bangkok Fair at the end of February. By that time, there were 42 confirmed cases in Thailand. Business sentiment was still good in early March but all of this started to change in the middle of March when COVID-19 cases shot up by over a hundred per day.   On 21 March, Bangkok City Hall authorities announced the Bangkok shutdown. Restaurants, department stores, markets, schools, barbershops, sports stadiums, golf courses, and massage parlors in Bangkok were closed temporarily. By 26 March, the Thai government declared a state of emergency. Most restaurants, ...