Pret by Couture India 2026 brought together top retailers, designers, and manufacturers for a dynamic showcase, blending ready-to-wear brilliance, market insights, and leadership recognition shaping the next growth phase of jewellery.

Changing consumer behaviour, rising gold prices and faster buying cycles are driving demand for lightweight, high-rotation jewellery, forcing retailers to rethink inventory planning, merchandising strategies and sales approaches.

IJ Power List 2026 honours the leaders redefining Indian jewellery retail through governance, innovation, cultural stewardship, and disciplined growth—celebrating visionaries shaping the industry’s future with clarity, credibility, and conviction.

As margin pressure, price volatility and shifting customer behaviour reshape jewellery retail, habitual discounting is eroding authority and long-term value, prompting retailers to rethink pricing discipline and strategy.

The objective of Gemological Science International (GSI) is not just to issue reports, but to help the trade build credibility with its customers through transparent and consistent certification, and ensure that certification, testing and education remain aligned with how the jewellery business is actually conducted on the ground, says Ramit Kapur, Managing Director, GSI, in a conversation with Dhwani Rathod.

The EU-India FTA offers a significant boost to India’s gems and jewellery industry through reduced tariffs, easier market access, and improved competitiveness in Europe. The pact is expected to accelerate exports, attract investment, strengthen manufacturing, and reinforce India’s position as a trusted global sourcing hub for premium jewellery, says Suneeta Kaul.

As bridal tastes evolve, and retail cycles shorten, India’s polki industry is being redesigned for lighter wear, faster movement and commercial relevance, transforming a heritage craft into a modern retail category, says Dhwani Rathod.

In order to meet the challenges of the diamond industry head on, De Beers has devised a multi-pronged strategy – the major steps include upping investment in marketing, participating in the Luanda Accord, developing a range of category campaigns, collaborating with key retail partners to grow demand, and investing in branded marketing programmes for its own retail businesses, says David Johnson, VP, Global External Communications, De Beers Group, in a conversation with Suneeta Kaul.

As jewellery buying shifts toward longer consideration cycles, retailers and manufacturers must reframe hesitation not as failure, but as a trust-led decision process shaped by permanence, complexity, and emotional alignment.

Palmonas’ latest campaign reflects how jewellery marketing is being reworked through narrative-led celebrity use, product-first communication, and lower entry price points, as brands align messaging with everyday consumption habits.

In spite of an 8.76% dip in cut and polished diamond exports during April-November 2025, GJEPC remains optimistic about India’s export performance in 2026. The Council is looking forward to the BTA with the US, and should that take longer than expected, it will take all necessary measures in coordination with the government and stakeholders to support exports, and ensure continued growth, says Sabyasachi Ray, Executive Director, GJEPC, in a conversation with Suneeta Kaul.

Buying activity softened as laboratory-grown diamonds and gold prices reshaped loose diamond trade dynamics at IIJS Bharat Signature 2026. Exhibitors observed slower conversions, but continued relevance, for natural diamonds, reports Khursheed Mistry.

IIJS Bharat Signature 2026 sees selective demand, cautious capital deployment, and a clear move towards lightweight, lower-ticket jewellery, says Arpit Kala.

Over four days, IIJS Bharat Signature 2026 saw brisk business take place at JWCC; retailers focused on couture differentiation, lightweight gold, gemstone statements, and silver jewellery, reflecting evolving buying behaviour across daily-wear, bridal, and emerging categories.