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...

  Qatar opens its doors on January 29 to 31, at the NED   The inaugural Doha International Diamond & Gem Conference will begin with a packed program on Wednesday, January 29. H E Saad Al Kharji, Chairman of Qatar Tourism, the event’s chief sponsor, will welcome the conference delegates, dignitaries, and guests.   The following speakers to address the Opening Session will be H E Dr. Ahmad Al Sayed, Minister of State for Foreign Trade Affairs; H E Bogolo Joy Kenewendo, Minister of Minerals and Energy of Botswana; Ahmed Bin Sulayem, Executive Chairman, Dubai Multi Commodities Centre; Feriel Zerouki (Ms), President, the World Diamond Council (WDC), and Kirit Bhansali, Vice Chairman, Gem & Jewellery Export Promotion Council (GJEPC).   “The conference will kick off with a Q&A with De Beers Executive Vice-President Paul Rowley and diamond industry expert Richard Chetwode. The delegates and guests will consequently be kept on their toes during three ...

  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 ...

Botswana’s first Olympic gold medallist leads Botswana’s diamond heritage   De Beers Group announces Letsile Tebogo, Botswana's 200 metres Olympic gold medallist and World Athletics Male Athlete of the Year 2024, as its Global Ambassador, marking the start of a unique collaboration that celebrates both his athletic achievements and the transformative power of natural diamonds.    The collaboration builds on Botswana’s remarkable journey over more than five decades to become a world-leading diamond producer, which has in turn transformed the prospects for its people. The longstanding diamond partnership between the Government of Botswana and De Beers has seen the country use its resource wealth for economic development, and the creation of new opportunities in education and sports has helped cultivate talents such as Letsile Tebogo.  Like the diamonds that shaped his nation's future, Letsile’s rise to excellence highlights Botswana’s latent potential that, when nurtur...