GJ Town India

  HRD Antwerp, announces it will cease certifying SDs    HRD Antwerp, the Antwerp-based diamond laboratory and subsidiary of AWDC, last week; announces it will cease certifying Synthetic Diamonds [SDs]. With this decision, HRD becomes the first and only diamond lab in the world to focus exclusively on natural diamonds.    The move reaffirms Antwerp’s role as the international hub for natural diamond trading and marks a concrete step toward strengthening consumer trust by clearly distinguishing between natural and synthetic diamonds. Certificates will still be issued for jewellery containing synthetic stones.    Founded in 1973, HRD Antwerp has issued certificates verifying the authenticity and quality of diamonds for over 50 years. Now, HRD becomes the first lab to make a firm commitment to natural diamonds and will no longer certify synthetic diamonds. As of 2026, we will no longer issue quality certificates for loose synthetic diamonds ...

  Platinum exports grew over 29%, Coloured Gemstones tumbled < 2%    According to the trusted sources, Bharat’s gross imports of rough diamonds totaled at US$ 2262.21 million (Rs 19311.73 crores) in April 2025 - May 2025 have shown a decline of 5.46% (-3.2% Rs. term) compared with the imports at US$ 2392.87 million (Rs. 19949.36 crores) for previous year.    In volume terms gross import of rough diamonds at 196.57 lakhs carats during April 2025 - May 2025 has shown a decline of 1.810% compared with the imports at 200.19 lakhs carats during previous year.  Here is to read the caratage term, which is less than 2% means, this is the time to witness a surge in manufacturing activities where, demand is expected to grow during the festive season and up to December 2025. Yet, the gloomy global geopolitical scenario may be little more visible by the July end.    It is most likely to expect & witness the settling of the dust at the global ...

  The Yoga sessions witnessed for 7,300 Participants across India    In a powerful celebration of harmony, health, and holistic well-being, Hari Krishna Exports Pvt. Ltd. marked International Yoga Day (IYD) 2025 with the spirited participation of over 7,300 individuals across India. This included 2,300 employees from HK offices in Surat and Mumbai locations, along with more than 5,000 participants from Kisna’s 81 retail stores across 18 states. The day reflected the company’s steadfast belief that the strength of a business begins with the wellness of its people and communities.    At the Surat headquarters, over 1700 employees came together for a collective yoga practice session, while the Mumbai office saw 600 employees gracefully engage in asanas and mindful breathing, led by the team of Yoga Experts. Simultaneously joining from overseas are HK forces from international offices, amplifying the sense of global unity and shared purpose.  Meanwhile,...

  GIA’s COO to succeed retiring CEO Susan Jacques    The Board of Governors of the Gemological Institute of America, Inc. (GIA) has named Pritesh Patel, currently GIA’s Chief Operating Officer, as the Institute’s President and Chief Executive Officer, effective August 4, 2025. Patel succeeds Susan M. Jacques, GIA’s President and CEO since 2014, who will continue at GIA as a strategic advisor until her retirement at the end of 2025.     “Pritesh’s outstanding experience, character and understanding of the industry and the Institute are exceptionally well-suited to build upon GIA’s nearly 100 years of service to the industry and consumers, leading GIA to even greater successes,” said Lisa A. Locklear, Chair of the GIA Board of Governors.    “The Board of Governors, GIA’s global teams, the gem and jewelry industry and consumers owe great thanks to Susan Jacques. Her compassionate, visionary and unwavering leadership during 12 years as CEO...

  The true measure of Angolan wealth is not in the number of carats extracted!   The Minister of Mineral Resources, Oil and Gas, Diamantino Azevedo, revealed in Luanda that the African continent produces around 65 percent of the rough diamonds sold worldwide.    The minister, who was speaking during the Ministerial Round Table dedicated to the promotion and defense of natural diamonds, which took place under the motto “Natural Diamonds: Challenges and Opportunities”, stated that, through countries such as Angola, Botswana, South Africa, Namibia, DRC and Sierra Leone, Africa is the - beating heart; of the global diamond trade. Diamantino Azevedo said, however, that the true measure of Angolan wealth is not in the number of carats extracted, but in the value, it retains, the future it builds and the preservation of human dignity.  “In Angola, diamonds have contributed significantly to national reconstruction, financing schools, hospitals, roads and water s...

  April-May gold jewellery exports grew over 40% year over year    According to the available exports figures of Bharat for the month of May & April-May 2025, that shows a global Gem & Jewellery [GJ] buyer’s buying trend and runny or wafer-thin global economy that is shrinking their global growth outlook, growing uncertainties are pushing global buyers to abreast gold & jewellery!    Accordingly, Gold Jewellery that includes two categories; 1: plain gold jewellery & 2: studded gold jewellery. Total gross export of Gold Jewellery at US$ 997.50 million (Rs. 8482.61 crores) in the month of May 2025 is showing a growth of 17.24% (19.57% in Rs. term) as compared to US$ 850.81 million (Rs. 7094.52 crores) for the same period of the previous year. Extending & counting the Gold Jewellery export for the month of April-May 2025 that shows provisional gross export of US$ 2264.26 million (Rs. 19324.14 crores) shown a growth of 40.11% (43.38% Rs....

  This move reinforces the country’s commitment to transparency   Angola’s two leading state-owned diamond institutions, Endiama E.P. and Sodiam E.P., have formally announced their joint commitment to generic category marketing by joining the Natural Diamond Council (NDC) as contributing members, effective July 1, 2025.   As the third-largest global producer of natural diamonds and one of the most promising in terms of future deposit discoveries, Angola continues to strengthen its position as a responsible and influential player in the global diamond industry. This move reinforces the country’s commitment to transparency, sustainability, and consumer education on the unique value of natural diamonds. The natural diamond sector remains a vital pillar of Angola’s socioeconomic development, supporting employment, infrastructure, education, and healthcare in producing regions.    “With Angola’s diamond industry on the rise, promoting the values and socioecon...