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Bvlgari’s Lucia Silvestri Gives Away Top Honours at The Artisan Jewellery Design Awards 2026
Global Design Vision Meets Indian Craftsmanship as Artisan Awards 2026 Celebrates Innovation and Heritage
The 9th edition of the Artisan Jewellery Design Awards 2026, organised by the Gem & Jewellery Export Promotion Council (GJEPC) and curated by The Futurist, concluded in Mumbai on April 8, bringing together the finest expressions of creativity, craftsmanship, and innovation in jewellery design.
The Artisan Awards 2026 were powered by GIA and supported by the World Gold Council.
Held in the distinguished presence of Lucia Silvestri, Creative Director & Gems Buying Director, Bvlgari; Amedeo Scognamiglio, Founder & Creative Director, RFMAS Jewellery Group; Dr. Annapurna Garimella, Art Historian & Designer; Siddharth Kasliwal, Founder, Gem Palace; Milan Chokshi, Founder, Moksh; Amit Pratihari, Managing Director, GIA India; and Paola De Luca, Creative Director & Trend Forecaster, and Curator of the Artisan Awards.
From GJEPC, the event was attended by Kirit Bhansali, Chairman; Shaunak Parikh, Vice Chairman; Ashish Borda, Convener – Promotions, Marketing & Business Development; Jayanti Savaliya, Regional Chairman – Gujarat; Vijay Mangukiya, Convener – International Exhibitions; Mansukh Kothari, Convener – Events; and Sabyasachi Ray, Executive Director.
Instituted in 2014, the Artisan Awards has evolved into one of the industry’s most prestigious design-led platforms—encouraging originality, nurturing creative talent, and supporting India’s journey from a manufacturing powerhouse to a global design destination.
This year’s theme, “Quantum Couture: Re-engineering Beauty and Cultural Codes,” explored a powerful shift in how jewellery is conceived and experienced—where heritage is not just preserved, but reinterpreted for a new era.
Through three creative directions—Embroidery, Micro-Painting, and Poetic Layers—designers presented jewellery that is fluid, expressive, and deeply conceptual, blending traditional craftsmanship with technology, storytelling, and contemporary design thinking.
Embroidery reimagined textile traditions as structure, where elements like lace, thread, and brocade were translated into metal and gemstones. Techniques such as filigree and jali evolved into intricate frameworks, creating pieces that felt layered, lightweight, and architectural.
Micro-Painting celebrated precision and storytelling at a miniature scale—drawing from heritage crafts like meenakari and miniature art. Each piece became a detailed narrative, where craftsmanship, symbolism, and technique came together to create intimate and meaningful expressions.
Poetic Layers explored jewellery as a multi-dimensional form—where nature, emotion, and structure intertwined. Through organic shapes and layered compositions, designers created pieces that felt fluid, sculptural, and deeply expressive.
With over 550 entries, the competition culminated in 27 finalists, whose ideas were brought to life by leading manufacturers, highlighting the seamless synergy between design innovation and manufacturing excellence.
Importantly, the journey of these creations does not end here. The 27 winning pieces will go on to be showcased at leading international platforms such as JCK Las Vegas, Vicenzaoro, IIJS Bharat Mumbai, SAJEX in Saudi Arabia, and other leading trade shows—taking the brilliance of Indian jewellery design to a wider global audience and reinforcing India’s growing presence in design-led jewellery.
Kirit Bhansali, Chairman, GJEPC, said
“India has long been recognised as a manufacturing powerhouse, but the next phase of growth lies in becoming a global design destination. Platforms like the Artisan Awards play a crucial role in encouraging original thinking and shaping the future identity of Indian jewellery.”
Lucia Silvestri, Jewellery Creative & Gems Buying Director, Bvlgari, Said:
“I have always been deeply fascinated by India’s extraordinary heritage in jewellery, a tradition that is incredibly rich in craftsmanship, symbolism, and artistry. There is a profound sense of history and culture embedded in every detail, which makes it a constant source of inspiration for me. Having reviewed the design sketches, I was particularly struck by the way this heritage is being reinterpreted through a contemporary lens. There is a beautiful balance between tradition and innovation, where legacy meets modern creativity.”
Paola De Luca, Creative Director & Strategist, The Futurist LLC, Said:
“I am honoured to be part of India’s enduring legacy of jewellery and craftsmanship. India continues to inspire the world of jewellery, now empowering a new wave of creative voices and future icons. From heritage to horizon, India fuels the next generation of jewellery designers redefining global aesthetics.”
Ashish Borda, Convener, Promotions & Marketing, GJEPC, said:
“With over 550 entries responding to the theme of Quantum Couture, we witnessed bold imagination and fresh interpretations. Designers embraced heritage as a foundation to create something distinctly modern, reflecting the growing maturity of the talent pool. Through platforms like the Artisan Awards, GJEPC remains committed to nurturing design innovation and strengthening India’s position in high-value, design-led jewellery.”
The awards were adjudicated by an eminent jury comprising Lucia Silvestri, Creative Director & Gems Buying Director, Bvlgari; Amedeo Scognamiglio, Founder & Creative Director, RFMAS Jewellery Group; Dr Annapurna Garimella, Art Historian & Designer; Siddharth Kasliwal, Founder, Gem Palace; and Milan Chokshi, Founder, Moksh.
Amedeo Scognamiglio, Founder & Creative Director, RFMAS Jewellery Group, said:
“My personal journey is rooted in a multi-generational Italian family tradition of craftsmanship, where technique is inherited, refined, and respected. At the same time, I have always felt the need to challenge that legacy through a contemporary design language of my own. This duality is exactly why the Artisan Awards resonate with me. The designers I reviewed carry the same weight of heritage, but also the courage to evolve it — and that is where true creativity lives. I see in them the younger me.”
Dr Annapurna Garimella, Art Historian & Designer, said:
“Refined, ebullient, or wild — craft from India, especially in precious materials, has seduced the connoisseurs of the world for centuries. As an art historian, I am intrigued by the way historic and contemporary makers think through concept, purpose and material. As a designer working with artisan-designers and craftspeople, I am also seduced by the transmission and transformation of historic skills and knowledge. The Artisan Awards allow me to closely observe how other designers work, and it excites me to think about how they visualise concepts and realise them.”
Siddharth Kasliwal, Founder, Gem Palace, Said:
“What really stood out to me while judging at the Artisan Awards was the sheer fearlessness in creativity. There was a beautiful balance—designs that respected tradition, yet weren’t afraid to push boundaries and explore something new. That’s exactly the kind of mindset our industry needs today. Platforms like the Artisan Awards play such an important role in encouraging artisans and designers to think bigger, take risks, and evolve. It’s genuinely exciting to see this level of talent shaping the future of jewellery design.”
Milan Chokshi, Founder, Moksh, said:
“The structure of the Artisan Awards pushes the participants to really explore ideas, and at the same time present originality—extremely relevant in these times of excessive mechanical reproduction, where almost nothing seems original and everything can be made in unlimited quantities.”
Winners: The Artisan Awards 2026
| EMBROIDERY | DESIGNER NAME | MANUFACTURED BY |
| WINNER | Surajit Ghosal | Anan Jewels India LLP |
| 1ST RUNNER UP | Lekshmi Raj Manju | Walking Tree Pvt.Ltd. |
| 2ND RUNNER UP | Prajakta Vesvikar | Anan Jewels India LLP |
Winner Suraji Bhosal
1ST RUNNER UP – Lekshmi Raj Manju
2ND RUNNER UP – Prajakta Vesvikar
| MICRO PAINTING | ||
| WINNER | Kavitha Rajendran | GRT Jewellers |
| 1ST RUNNER UP | Elena Pari | Arun Jewels |
| 2ND RUNNER UP | Archangel Caszo | Farah Khan Fine Jewellery Pvt.Ltd. |
WINNER – Kavitha Rajendran
1ST RUNNER UP – Elena Pari
2ND RUNNER UP – Archangel Caszo
| POETIC LAYERS | ||
| WINNER | Namira Shaikh | Farah Khan Fine Jewellery Pvt.Ltd. |
| 1ST RUNNER UP | Nayonika Chatterjee | Walking Tree Ventures |
| 2ND RUNNER UP | Abhijit Das | Anan Jewels India LLP |
WINNER – Namira Shaikh
1ST RUNNER UP – Nayonika Chatterjee
2ND RUNNER UP – Abhijit Das
ShowBuzz
Jewellery Eminence Awards 2026 Celebrates Excellence In Indian Jewellery Design
Anurag Singh Thakur Graces Gala Night as Chief Guest
Jewellers Association Jaipur (JA) successfully organised the grand 18th Edition of the Jewellery Eminence Awards (JEA) Gala Night 2026 on 4th July at Novotel Jaipur Exhibition & Convention Centre (JECC), Sitapura, celebrating outstanding creativity, craftsmanship and innovation across the Indian gems and jewellery industry. Organised alongside JAS – The Premium B2B Show 2026, the prestigious evening brought together leading jewellers, designers, manufacturers, exporters, retailers, artisans, industry veterans and dignitaries from across the country.
The evening was led by the office bearers of Jewellers Association Jaipur including President Shri Raju Agarwal Mangodiwala, JAS Convenor Shri Ashok Maheshwari, Honorary Secretary Shri Ajay Godha, and JEA Coordinator Shri Naresh Agroya, who welcomed distinguished guests and members of the jewellery fraternity.
The Gala Night was graced by Hon’ble Shri Anurag Singh Thakur, Chairman, Parliamentary Standing Committee on Coal, Mines & Steel, as the Chief Guest. His esteemed presence added immense prestige to the occasion as he felicitated several award winners and recognised exceptional talent from the jewellery industry. The celebration was further elevated by the presence of renowned actress Yuvika Chaudhary as the Celebrity Guest, whose participation added glamour and excitement to the evening.
One of the most touching moments of the ceremony was the presentation of the JEA Lifetime Achievement Award to Shri Navrattan Kothari, honouring his extraordinary contribution, visionary leadership and lifelong dedication to the Indian gems and jewellery industry. A special audio-visual tribute highlighted his remarkable journey before the award was presented by the Chief Guest in the presence of the Association’s leadership.
Recognising the invaluable contribution of master craftsmen, the Association also presented Special Artisan Awards to Shri Avtar Singh Talwar and Shri Abiddudin, acknowledging their decades of excellence, commitment and craftsmanship that continue to preserve and enrich India’s jewellery-making heritage.
Adding an international dimension to the evening, the Association also felicitated distinguished global industry leaders for their remarkable contributions to organised jewellery retail and international trade relations. Special honours were presented to Shri K. P. Abdul Salam, Vice Chairman & GED, Malabar Group, with the JAS Global Jewellery Retail Leadership Award, and Mr. Tawhid Abdullah, Chairman, Dubai Jewellery Group, with the JAS Architect of Organised Jewellery Retail in the Middle East Award. Their recognition reflected JAS’ growing global outlook and its commitment to strengthening international business relationships within the gems and jewellery sector.
The highlight of the evening remained the presentation of the Jewellery Eminence Awards 2026, one of India’s most respected jewellery design competitions. Winners were honoured across 18 prestigious categories, recognising excellence in jewellery design, natural gemstones, craftsmanship, innovation and professional achievement. The awards covered a diverse spectrum of categories including diamond and colourstone jewellery, polki jewellery, gold jewellery, silver vogue jewellery, loose gemstone awards, accessories, minimalist jewellery, professionals’ recognition and young achievers, reflecting the immense talent and creativity of India’s jewellery industry.
The ceremony also showcased inspiring films highlighting the journey of JAS and JEA, reinforcing the vision of promoting innovation, nurturing design talent and providing a national platform for excellence in jewellery creation. Throughout the evening, sponsors, jury members, exhibitors, industry leaders and distinguished guests joined in celebrating the achievements of designers and professionals who continue to shape the future of the Indian gems and jewellery sector.
Speaking on the occasion, the leadership of Jewellers Association Jaipur reiterated that Jewellery Eminence Awards has evolved into one of the country’s most credible and prestigious platforms for recognising excellence in jewellery design and craftsmanship. The Association reaffirmed its commitment to encouraging innovation, preserving traditional artistry and creating opportunities for emerging as well as established talent through initiatives like JEA and JAS.
Concluding the memorable evening, the Association expressed heartfelt gratitude to the Chief Guest, Celebrity Guest, award jury, sponsors viz (Banking Partner: AU Small Finance Bank, Co- Sponosor: RMC Gems, Supporters: GJEPC, Gemfields, Bid For All, Elanzia- An IGM Initiative, Logistics Partner: Secure Global Logistics), exhibitors, designers, artisans, partners, participants and the entire organising team for making the Jewellery Eminence Awards Gala Night 2026 a grand success. As part of the ongoing JAS – The Premium B2B Show 2026, the Gala Night once again reinforced Jaipur’s stature as one of the world’s foremost centres for gems, coloured gemstones and jewellery craftsmanship, while celebrating the excellence, innovation and legacy that continue to define India’s jewellery industry.
Winners by Category
1. JEA Emerald Gemstone of the Year
- GREEN INTERNATIONAL, JAIPUR
2. JEA Silver Vogue Jewellery
- ADORE JEWELS, JAIPUR
- ATTULYA JEWELS, JAIPUR
3. JEA Bejewelled Artifact
- KINU BABA GEMS INDIA PVT. LTD., JAIPUR
4. JEA Theme of the Year – Vintage Jewellery
- ADVIT JEWELS LIMITED, JAIPUR
5. JEA Accessory (Men’s & Women’s)
- ATTULYA JEWELS, JAIPUR
- MANTHAN’S GEM LEGACY LLP, HYDERABAD
6. JEA Gold Jewellery
- N. M. KAREL & SONS PVT. LTD., NEW DELHI
7. JEA Polki Bridal Set
- PARAMPARA THE JEWELS, JAIPUR
8. JEA Polki Necklace
- JEWELS OF RAJPUTAANA, JAIPUR
9. JEA Polki Earrings
- SRD JEWELS COUTURE PVT. LTD., VADODARA
10. JEA Polki Bangle/Bracelet
- KALA JOHARE, JAIPUR
11. JEA Polki Ring
- POLKI PARADISE BY V.K JEWELLERS, NEW DELHI
12. JEA Minimalist Jewellery
- SANGEETA DIAMONDS, JAIPUR
13. JEA Diamond/Colourstone Necklace
- TIMEPIECES, JAIPUR
14. JEA Diamond/Colourstone Earrings
- MAA SATTI JEWELS PVT. LTD., JAIPUR
15. JEA Diamond/Colourstone Bangle/Bracelet
- GREENBELL, JAIPUR
16. JEA Diamond/Colourstone Ring
- JEWELS BY SEPHORA LLP, JAIPUR
17. JEA Natural Gemstone of the Year (other than Emerald)
- BIHARILAL HOLARAM, JAIPUR
- TT GEMS INDIA LLP, MUMBAI
18. Winner of the JEA Professional Category
- RASHMI ABHIJIT BAFNA
- Bafna Jewellers
19. Winner of GIA Young Achievers’ Award
- BHAWANA MAHESHWARI
20. JEA Artisans’ Award
- AVTAR SINGH TALWAR
- ABEEDUDDIN
21. JEA LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD
- SHRI NAVRATTAN KOTHARI
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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.