JB Insights
APGJF 2024 is a resounding success
State’s Largest B2B jewellery exhibition helps consolidate Vijayawada’s
position as a key GJ hub
Andhra Pradesh’s largest B2B jewellery exhibition, ANDHRA PRADESH GEM AND JEWELLERY FAIR (APGJF) 2024, held between December 13th and 15th at SS Convention Centre, Vijayawada, soared to new heights this year.Large crowds thronged the venue on all the three days and almost all the exhibitors were extremely satisfied with the brisk business transactions that they concluded and the network of new contacts they could establish.
APGJF is jointly organized by India’s premier jewellery exhibition management company United Exhibitions and AP Bullion Gold Silver & Diamonds Merchants Association.
The show began with the grand Inauguration Ceremony attended by the Chief Guest Dr. Ponguru Narayana, Hon’ble Minister of Municipal Administration and Urban Development, Govt of Andhra Pradesh. at the inaugural ceremony the chief guest was accompanied by the esteemed leaders from the Indian jewellery industry.
This year’s show brought together over 200 of India’s top and renowned jewellery manufacturers, wholesalers and technology service providers under one roof with over 9,600 visitors from across the Southern states and other parts of India. On display were over 5,00,000 designs displaying innovation and creativity and provided perfect options to the retailers as they prepare for the forthcoming festive and wedding season for the people from Telugu states.
K. Vijay Kumar, State President, APBGSDMA, said, “The buying spirit at the exhibition was consistently high on all three days after a fantastic start! APGJF 2024 saw a remarkable turnout of visitors from across the region, covering the spectrum of retail businesses from large corporate chains to small, single store retailers. This is a clear sign that the show serves a very important need in the region. We are confident that it will continue to grow.”
Shantilal Jain, State Chief Organizer, APBGSDMA said that Vijayawada is now gaining recognition as a key hub of the gem and jewellery industry. “Visitors were highly appreciative of the vast variety of choices which they had. They also reacted positively to the innovation and creativity in new designs that gave contemporary look to the traditional southern ornaments. APGJF is being seen as an important platform in the B2B supply chain for Telugu states.”
APGJF also won praise for its business-friendly environment with strict B2B norms implemented in regulating entry, along with a number of key networking and knowledge-sharing events that provided space for interaction and exchange of ideas and information.
V.K. Manoj, Project Director, United Exhibitions said “We made every effort to ensure the success of the show by adhering to the highest standards in planning and execution and ensuring that hospitality was flawless in every aspect .We are happy that APGJF has been recognised as a high-quality platform and now become an important milestone in the trade fair calendar of South India. A clear indication of this is that we have already received many confirmations for participation in APGJF 2025.”
Among the highlights of the three-day event was the Stars of Andhra Pradesh Awards & Networking Nite held on the evening of Dec 13th 2024 at Novotel Vijayawada where leading jewellers and key supporters who have helped uplift the trade were felicitated. Adding sparkle to the event was the presence of Miss Mannara Chopra, popular actress and celebrity in South India Cinema has filled the evening with glitter and glamour.
Amit Kumar, CEO & Co-founder, QWEEN, speaking to JewelBuzz, said jewellery brands are actually “marketplaces masquerading as brands.” QWEEN disrupts the fragmented diamond industry by replacing “aggregator” models with a 100% natural, Mine-to-Market approach. By sourcing exclusively from Rosy Blue, they maintain a closed-loop supply chain that guarantees a documented, audited journey for every stone. Moving beyond marketing jargon, QWEEN prioritises transparency and ethical integrity through Kimberley Process compliance, transforming the intimidating traditional buying process into a confident, self-discovery experience for the modern woman.
You’ve made a bold claim that most Indian jewellery brands are actually “marketplaces masquerading as brands.” What do you mean by that?
For decades, the industry has operated on an illusion. Most retailers act like aggregators—they source diamonds from a vast web of multiple vendors in various batches. Much like a restaurant sourcing ingredients from different suppliers to save costs, these jewellers prioritise efficiency over consistency. The result is a fragmented supply chain where even the jeweller often cannot tell you the true origin of the stones they are selling. We felt modern luxury deserved better than that ambiguity.
QWEEN calls itself India’s first “100% natural, Mine-to-Market” brand. How does your sourcing model actually differ from the norm?
We chose a path that is intentionally harder and slower. Instead of juggling multiple vendors, we source every single diamond from one revered origin: Rosy Blue. With over 63 years of heritage, they aren’t just a supplier; they are our strategic supply-chain investors. Because they are sightholders with direct access to ethically sourced rough diamonds, we have a documented, audited chain of custody. We don’t just trace a diamond to a country; we trace it through its entire journey.
Ethical sourcing is a popular buzzword. How do you move beyond “marketing narratives” to provide verifiable proof to your customers?
We believe trust is built through structural integrity, not just slogans. Every diamond at QWEEN is Kimberley Process compliant, meaning it is verifiably conflict-free by global standards. Because we don’t deal in “mixed batches,” there is zero room for inconsistency. We intend to prove this transparency directly to our customers within our retail stores, showing them the verifiable truth behind their purchase.
You often mention moving away from “jargon and intimidation” in the buying process. What does the “self-discovery” experience look like for a woman shopping at QWEEN?
Historically, buying diamonds has felt transactional or even intimidating. We want to change that. When a woman understands exactly where her diamond came from, who worked on it, and why it’s graded a certain way, the purchase transforms. It’s no longer about pressure; it’s about ownership and confidence. We want our customers to connect the diamond’s journey to their own identity and values.
What is next for QWEEN, and where can customers experience this new model of luxury?
Our philosophy is coming to life in our upcoming experiential stores in Bangalore and Delhi. These won’t just be retail spaces; they are environments designed for clarity and intent. We aren’t building this brand on the size of our assortment, but on the courage to do things differently.
| Feature | Traditional Marketplaces | QWEEN (Mine-to-Market) |
|---|---|---|
| Sourcing | Fragmented: Diamonds pass through many hands, making it hard to pinpoint origin. | Single Source: Sourced directly through Rosy Blue, ensuring a closed-loop system. |
| Traceability | Opaque: Often impossible to guarantee the exact journey of a specific stone. | Fully Documented: Offers a clear, verifiable chain of custody from the mine to the wearer. |
| Ethical Standards | Inconsistent: Rely heavily on vague marketing or secondary certifications. | Strict Compliance: 100% Kimberley Process compliant with rigorous ethical oversight. |
| Customer Vibe | Transactional: Can feel cold, intimidating, and buried in technical jargon. | Experiential: Focuses on the “story” of the diamond, making it personal and relatable. |
-
GlamBuzz23 hours agoDiamonds Shine Bright At Women In Entertainment Night With De Beers
-
GlamBuzz22 hours agoSenco Gold & Diamonds Opens 6th Store In Mumbai Inaugurated By Actor Wamiqa Gabbi
-
New Premises2 hours agoTanishq Expands U.S. Presence With First New England Store
-
International News1 hour agoPrecious Metals Slide As U.S.-Iran Conflict Drags On
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.