JB Insights
APGJF 2023 concludes successfully; trade fraternity embraces innovation and creativity
Andhra Pradesh’s largest B2B jewellery exhibition, ANDHRA PRADESH GEM AND JEWELLERY FAIR (APGJF) 2023, whichwas held at SS Convention Centre from Dec 8- 10, 2023was rated as a tremendous success by the exhibitors, visitors and organisers together. The exhibition has concluded with an overwhelming response with the crowded booths placing their orders to meet the upcoming wedding and festive season demand. APGJF is jointly organised by AP Bullion Gold Silver & Diamond Merchants Association and United Exhibitions, Chennai.
The show was inaugurated by the leaders of Andhra Jewellery Fraternity and opening was done with an auspicious puja event at the show venue. Shri. K. Vijay Kumar, State President, AP Bullion Association, the co-organiser of APGJF 2023, said, “The tremendous outcome for the second edition of APGJF has exceeded expectations of all participants & organisers and attributed the success to the trade fraternity for their open minded welcome to innovation and creativity shown in the jewellery collections put on display.
Everyone appreciated the strict implementation of the norms restricting entry to business visitors only. We also received positive feedback about the quality of arrangements made for the visitor convenience. This success has given us more courage to take Vijayawada on to a bigger picture and thanked the support from the industry across the region.” Said Shri Shantilal Jain, State Chief Organiser, AP Bullion Association.
APGJF is a proven and successful platform for all the manufacturers and wholesalers dealing with the studded jewellery collections as Andhra Pradesh is always termed as India’s most profitable jewellery market with retailers of all sizes are known for dealing majorly in studded and temple jewellery.
“APGJF is not only important for the retailers from Telugu states but also from neighbouring states as well because of the unique collections those were put on display matching the taste of the region and their cultural preferences. The collections were so satisfying that made most retailersto say that the show was almost at par with other major shows in India”. Said VK Manoj, Project Director, United Exhibitions, the co-organiser of APGJF.
The show had around 150 exhibitors in 300 booths spread over 75,000 sq. ft of exhibition space. Approximately 200,000 jewellery designs were displayed ranging from various collections in gold, diamond, silver jewellery and loose gemstones. Machinery, Tools and Showroom interiors, software services were also displayed and demonstrated in the halls.
Stars of Andhra Pradesh Jewellery Awards & Networking Nite held on the evening of Dec 8th 2023 at Novotel Vijayawada to felicitate the hidden gems who has contributed heavily towards the success of APGJF 2023. Regional Associations, Exhibitors in certain categories were awarded for their active involvement to make the event brighter and more beautiful.
The grand gala event was attended by Miss India Sini Sadanand Shetty, who is going to represent India on the Miss Universe 2024 pageant adding the sparkle to the glittering evening while joining the awardees on the stage. Leading stalwarts and legends from Andhra Gems & Jewellery industry were present at the networking evening sharing their experiences with the guests.
JB Insights
The Role Of Hallmarking and Transparency In Strengthening Consumer Confidence
By Suresh Krishnan, Vice President – Sales, PNG Jewellers
In India, jewellery is equally an emotional purchase and a significant financial transaction. As consumers become more informed and digitally empowered, trust is increasingly becoming a decisive factor alongside design, price and brand reputation. Hallmarking has played an important role in creating that trust by giving consumers third-party assurance of precious-metal purity.
India’s hallmarking ecosystem has expanded significantly. BIS data shows that hallmarking registrations increased from 34,647 to 1,37,315 between April 2021 and March 2022 *1, while more than 8.72 crore gold and silver articles were hallmarked during that year. The introduction of the six-digit Hallmark Unique Identification (HUID) in 2021 has further strengthened traceability. Consumers can verify a gold article’s HUID through the BIS CARE app, adding an independent layer of assurance at the point of purchase.
For an organised retailer, this becomes particularly relevant as jewellery discovery increasingly moves online. A customer may discover a product on social media, compare it on an e-commerce platform and complete the transaction digitally. In such a journey, hallmarking helps bridge the trust gap created by the absence of physical touch and feel. When purity is independently verifiable, consumers can make online purchases with greater confidence.
The opportunity is also expanding beyond gold. BIS has brought both gold and silver under its hallmarking framework. In FY2024-25, more than 32 lakh silver jewellery articles*2 were hallmarked. The revised IS 2112:2025 introduced HUID-based hallmarking for silver on a voluntary basis from September 2025, creating greater traceability and consumer assurance in a category that is increasingly relevant to younger and value-conscious buyers.
This evolution matters commercially. KPMG’s India CX Report 2025*3 found that 27% of fine-jewellery customers are more confident in authenticity, quality and value when they trust a brand, while 9% said they would explore another brand if jewellery appeared overpriced for its quality. These findings underline why trust is not simply a compliance issue; it directly influences consideration and willingness to pay.
Contributing to the larger goal of organised and transparent trade, hallmarking has now been integrated as part of the broader customer experience across stores, CRM and e-commerce. As India’s jewellery market becomes increasingly omnichannel, the brands that communicate purity, pricing and policies clearly will be better positioned to convert digital discovery into purchase and, more importantly, build relationships that extend beyond a single transaction. The future of jewellery retail will therefore be defined not only by what consumers see, but by how confidently they can verify what they are buying and hallmarking takes care of that concern efficiently.
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JewelBuzz is Asia’s First Digital Jewellery Media & India’s No.1 B2B Jewellery Magazine, published by AM Media House. Since 2016, we’ve been the trusted source for jewellery news, market trends, trade insights, exhibitions, podcasts, and brand stories, connecting jewellers, retailers, and industry professionals worldwide.