GJ Town India

  A visionary period in the history of India   Exploring the massive potential of Online Dispute Resolution (ODR) to enhance the Ease of Doing Business (EoDB) in India, NITI Aayog in association with Agami and Omidyar Network India held a conversation-co-hosted by Indian Industry with heads of legal firms and industry representatives.   ‘We are witnessing a visionary period in the history of India’s court system. In today’s age of data-driven solutions and machine learning, ODR provides the potential to resolve a substantial percentage of disputes at the site of their occurrence without burdening the courts. Progressive and disruptive changes in justice delivery are critical components that can alter the course of access to justice in an unprecedented way,’ said Amitabh Kant, CEO, NITI Aayog. ODR is the resolution of disputes, particularly small- and medium-value cases, using digital technology and techniques of Alternate Dispute Resolution (ADR), such as negotiation, mediation, and

  PGI Insight published on long-term effects of Covid-19 Recently, Platinum Guild International (PGI) published its, PGI Insight, Jewellery Consumer Sentiment and Behaviour During and Post the Covid-19 Crisis. The report says, while the long-term effects of the ongoing Covid-19 crisis on the preciorous jewellery industry will depend on a number of factors, it is possible to envisage three overall scenarios:  A fast and conclusive V-shaped recovery, a slower but conclusive U-shaped recovery and a slow, unsteady L-shaped recovery in order to gain insight on potential trajectories, PGI and Sinus Institute designed an international flash survey among jewellery purchasers.  In late April and May, the survey interviewed over 1,000 jewellery buyers and wearers in each of platinum jewellery’s four key markets – China, Japan, India and the United States, to understand areas of insight include jewellery-specific and general consumer attitudes and behaviours under the current Covid-19 crisis

  Domestic export houses to exhibit diamond collections for  International buyers and sellers in this virtual format!   The Virtual BSM will be held  On 27th and 28th, August 2020 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 Virtual Buyer and Seller Meet will be held on 27th and 28th, August 2020. Buyers from Australia, Bangladesh, China, Colombia, Europe, Middle East, Russia CIS, South Africa, South Asia, UK, and USA are expected to participate in the VBSM.     Commenting about this unique, first-of-its-kind virtual format of the buyer-seller meet, Colin Shah, Chairman, GJEPC, says, “The demand for gems and jewellery is slowly recovering in ma

  GIA Pays Homage to Nancy Brewer Nancy Brewer, a former member of the GIA (Gemological Institute of America) Board of Governors and notable jewelry manufacturer, passed away in early August. Her jewelry design firm, Nancy B. & Co., was a premier destination for gold earrings and colored stone jewelry designed for working women. The contributions that she made during her more than 30-year career paved the way for women in the gem and jewelry industry.   "I was fortunate to know Nancy for over 35 years as a mentor and dear friend. She was a remarkable woman and entrepreneur; brave, self-made, and one who gave back to our industry and fostered the development and success of her peers,” said Dione D. Kenyon, chair of the GIA Board of Governors. “I am one of many who are deeply grateful for the encouragement, support and leadership she provided over the course of her career."   “I fondly remember Nancy as gregarious, determined and always ready to offer strategic guidan

Lead role in Post-Covid World Economic Recovery   Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER), MoS PMO, Personnel, Public Grievances, Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space, Dr Jitendra Singh today said that India and ASEAN will play a lead role in the Post-COVID World Economic Recovery.   He said, the future belongs to them due to common traits of grit, courage and determination to scale newer heights. Delivering the keynote address on Cross-border Conversations with entrepreneurs from ASEAN organized by India ASEAN Women’s Business Forum and FLO Mumbai chapter and FICCI, Dr. Jitendra Singh said that due to close business and cultural ties between India and ASEAN, the region will take a lead in the economic recovery in the post Corona era.   The Minister said that North Eastern Region has a special role to play in the promotion of trade and business relations with ASEAN as it is the gateway to the growing economies of South East Asian Nati

Gemstone through blockchain solutions!   By Miranda Simmiss // Product owner for Sustainability & Gemstones  & Klemens Link // Head of Development at Gübelin Gem Lab.   Gemstone track and trace methodologies, of which blockchain-enabled gemstones form a significant improvement to foster more transparency, are becoming central to any supply chain required to provide evidence of its responsible business practices.   Compared with diamond mining for example, the extraction of precious gemstones remains a largely decentralised industry. In fact, fully 80% of gemstones – such as emeralds, rubies and sapphires – are mined by small companies or individuals. This artisanal, small-scale mining takes place in 80 countries worldwide, on every continent besides Antarctica, forming an important economic sector for rural communities in many developing nations.   However, the relative ‘free-for-all’ nature of gemstone mining continues to pose a challenge for human rights, working cond

The deadline extended to June 1, 2021!   Yet the government bureau has not issue any official release & the minister’s official website also does not placed any such information yet the authentic media sources cited Consumer Affairs Minister Ramvilas Paswan said on Monday, “In the wake of the coronavirus pandemic, the government has extended an earlier deadline for mandatory hallmarking of gold jewellery and artefacts by four months!”   Previously, the Ministry had ordered and published in the Gazette, January 2020 that said: S.O. 205(E). In exercise of the powers conferred by sub-section (3) of section 14 read with sub-section (2) and (3) of section 15 and sub-section (1) and (2) of section 16 read with section 17 and sub-section (3) of section 25 of the Bureau of Indian Standards Act, 2016 (11 of 2016), the Central Government, after consulting the Bureau of Indian standards, is of the opinion that it is necessary or expedient so to do in the public interest, hereby makes the f

To understand the consumer perspective   De Beers Group is working actively in the face of the Covid-19 pandemic to understand the consumer perspective and monitor how this evolves as we pass through the stages of the crisis.   To augment our existing research program, we are conducting additional consumer, retailer and supply chain touch-bases to understand the pain points and the opportunities for partners large and small across the pipeline. In March 2020, we launched a weekly quantitative survey to collect data on the attitudes, behaviors and expectations of consumers in the US.   Once a month we also conduct a deep dive into diamond-specific attitudes. The latest survey was completed on June 22. With our second monthly insight report, we are continuing to track US consumers but widening the focus to include the experiences of retailers.   The report, heightened emotional state as uncertainty continues and also focuses on growth potential avenues like, growth in gratitude f

Rough diamond production of 3.5mn cts DeBeers rough diamond production decreased by 54% to 3.5 million carats, primarily due to the Covid-19 lockdowns in southern Africa. Mining operations resumed following regional lockdowns with Covid-19 measures in place to safeguard the workforce; with production at lower levels reflecting reduced demand for rough diamonds due to the pandemic.   In Botswana, production decreased by 68% to 1.8 million carats, principally due to a nationwide lockdown from 2 April to 18 May and the implementation of Covid-19 measures to safeguard the workforce. Operations restarted from mid-May, with production targeted at levels to meet the lower demand.   Namibia production increased by 7% to 0.4 million carats as the Mafuta crawler vessel was under planned maintenance in Q2 2019. With targeted regional lockdowns in Namibia in response to Covid-19, marine operations implemented measures to enable operational continuity while safeguarding the workforce. This

A glimmer of hope To embark the New Normal Uttar Pradesh’s Leading Jewellery Chain Aisshpra Gems & Jewels has launched its new collection to inspire us with a glimmer of hope in our life through its Hope Collection to embark the New Normal. The Hope Collection is first of its kind Glow –in- Dark jewellery edit. It is crafted in 18k white and rose gold studded with fine cut diamonds with enamelling that makes the piece glow in the dark. Just like the saying ‘Every Dark Cloud Has a Silver Lining’ when donned this Hope collection will be that lining in your darkest days that India is facing right now. As the glow technology used in these pieces charges up the enamel which makes them glow in the dark, similarly this range when adorned inspires us to believe in us, that we have immense power and positivity within us that gives us the strength to be hopeful and fight this tough times. By believing in oneself one will glowingly survive the darkest days that this pande

The appointment to Effective from 1 September De Beers Group is pleased to announce the appointment of Sarah Kuijlaars as Chief Financial Officer (CFO), effective from 1 September. Sarah will join the De Beers Group Board and Executive Committee. Sarah was previously CFO of Arcadis NV, a leading global design and engineering consultancy, with a listing on the Euronext Amsterdam Stock Exchange.  Prior to this, Sarah was Deputy CFO at Rolls Royce Holdings plc, and held a number of senior financial leadership roles during a 25-year career at Royal Dutch Shell plc.  She has worked in several geographies including Nigeria, Russia, Brazil and the Middle East. Sarah is also a Non-Executive Director at Aggreko plc, a leading international provider of mobile modular power, temperature control and energy services. Bruce Cleaver, CEO, De Beers Group, said: “Sarah is a proven leader and has a strong track record built with a number of world-class multinational business

Bring earlier stage projects for Silver! According to the World Silver Survey 2020 by Silver Institute, the main theme for mine output in the medium term is growth. This is partly due to a slight rise for mines already producing as operational improvements and expansions outweigh losses from grade decline and reserve depletion. We can also expect larger gains from new projects, both new primary silver projects (mainly in Mexico) and as a by-product. To avoid losses in the longer term (four to five years out), investment will be required to bring earlier stage projects into production as these are needed to replace lost output from reserve depletion, in both primary silver projects and assets where silver is a by-product.  In addition, disruption from industrial action will likely continue, as a major share of silver production comes from jurisdictions recently prone to disruption and there is little to suggest this trend will cease. The outlook for recycling is mixe