National News
A Gift of Life from the Jewellery Industry: GJEPC’s Mega Blood Donation Drive
It’s believed that the highest form of donation is giving life itself. Blood donation is one such gift —each drop you give has the power to save a life, bring hope to a family, and offer someone a second chance.
With this noble intention, GJEPC humbly reaches out to seek support for a Nationwide Blood Donation Drive on 17th September 2025, uniting the gem and jewellery fraternity in a remarkable demonstration of social commitment.
The chosen date holds exceptional significance on several counts:
Vishwakarma Jayanti: a celebration of the divine architect, paying homage to artisans, engineers, and skilled workers whose craftsmanship shapes the nation’s growth. The spirit of Vishwakarma is deeply interwoven with the soul of the gem and jewellery industry.
Artisan’s Day: dedicated to honouring the creative genius and dedication of millions who uphold and advance India’s illustrious jewellery heritage.
The Birthday of Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi – whose visionary leadership continues to elevate India’s stature on the global stage.
To commemorate this confluence of tradition, craftsmanship, and visionary leadership, GJEPC will organise a Nationwide Blood Donation Drive across more than 250 jewellery clusters, with the aspiration of mobilising over 100,000 donors.
A Tribute Beyond Measure
This extraordinary initiative is not only about generating life-saving blood donations, but also about raising awareness of this noble act, which has the power to save countless lives.
It’s a collective tribute to our dedicated artisans and esteemed national leadership, while underscoring the gem and jewellery industry’s steadfast commitment to humanitarian service, social responsibility and nation-building. This program aligns perfectly with GJEPC’s mission: “To enable every individual associated with the Indian gems and jewellery industry to achieve their full potential.”
A Call for Collective Participation
Kirit Bhansali, Chairman, GJEPC, stated: “In light of these efforts, GJEPC earnestly solicits your gracious support in facilitating the blood donation drive and making this initiative a grand success. Your invaluable guidance and encouragement will serve as a catalyst, enabling us to uphold the spirit of craftsmanship, enterprise, and collective service that defines our industry.”
Strengthening Industry, Strengthening Nation
GJEPC has been at the forefront of propelling India’s export-led growth. With over 10,700 members across the country, the sector contributes nearly 6% to India’s merchandise exports, while generating livelihoods for nearly 5 million individuals. Beyond economic progress, the Council continues to lead initiatives that support social impact and nation-building.
The Council’s philanthropic initiative, Jewellers For Hope, supports charities dedicated to spreading education and uplifting communities at the margins of society.
Its health-focused programmes — Swasthya Ratna and Swasthya Kosh — ensure access to quality healthcare of choice for all gem and jewellery workers. The Parichay Card, besides granting every unattached worker a formal identity, is envisioned to extend social security benefits in the near future.
The Gem & Jewellery National Relief Foundation (GJNRF) serves as the charitable arm of GJEPC, delivering social intervention and relief to those affected by natural disasters, wars, and terrorist attacks, while also extending support to artisans and other welfare causes.
In line with this spirit, GJEPC has also submitted a proposal to the Ministry of Commerce & Industry to officially designate 17th September as “National Jewellers Day.” This day would be celebrated across the country by the entire gems and jewellery fraternity – a powerful symbol of unity among traders, merchants, and artisans, while honouring the exceptional artistic contributions of millions who shape India’s rich jewellery heritage.
National News
Gold Exchange Schemes See Surge In Demand
Nearly 25% Of All Jewelry Buyers Now Opt For Exchange Programs Instead Of Outright Cash Purchases
In 2026, India’s retail gold sector is witnessing a significant paradigm shift. Driven by a combination of macroeconomic factors and strategic government appeals, gold exchange schemes have emerged as a dominant trend. Nearly 25% of all jewelry buyers now opt for exchange programs instead of outright cash purchases, marking a substantial increase from previous years.
Key Drivers of the Exchange Trend
1. Record-High Gold Prices
The primary economic catalyst for this shift is the unprecedented surge in gold prices. As fresh gold becomes increasingly expensive, consumers are unlocking the value stored in their existing assets rather than stretching their liquid capital to make new purchases.
2. Government Advocacy and Import Reduction
The trend is heavily backed by national policy interests. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has actively appealed to the public to utilize old jewelry for new purchases rather than buying fresh gold. The strategic goal behind this initiative is to curb India’s massive gold imports, thereby strengthening the current account deficit and stabilizing the national economy.
3. Aggressive Jeweler Incentives
Jewelers have rapidly adapted to consumer demand and government alignment by lowering the barriers to entry for exchanges.
Two major policy shifts are driving this retail adoption:
- Zero-Deduction Exchange Schemes: Traditional penalties and melting losses that previously deterred consumers from exchanging gold are being eliminated.
- Relaxed Documentation & Purity Standards: Retailers are now accepting old gold sourced from any jeweler starting at a purity level as low as 9KT, even without original purchase bills.
Market Implications
The 25% Threshold: The fact that a quarter of all jewelry buyers are now choosing exchange programs signifies that gold recycling is no longer a niche or distress-driven activity; it has entered the mainstream consumer behavior matrix.
- For Consumers: This shift provides a highly liquid, cost-effective way to upgrade designs and maintain asset value without facing heavy financial hits or bureaucratic hurdles (like tracking down decades-old receipts).
- For the Economy: By circulating existing domestic gold back into the supply chain, India reduces its reliance on international bullion markets, directly answering the government’s call for macroeconomic resilience.
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