National News
Candere Founder Rupesh Jain Launches Lab-Grown Diamond jewelry Brand Lucira; Taps into Booming Industry Potential
The company plans aggressive two-year roadmap for phased omnichannel expansion
Rupesh Jain, the digital jewelry pioneer who built Candere into one of India’s most successful online fine jewelry platforms before its acquisition by Kalyan Jewellers, is returning to the spotlight with a bold new venture, Lucira. A modern lab-grown diamond jewelry brand, Lucira is built for today’s conscious, design-forward consumer and aims to transform the way people engage with fine jewelry.
Positioning itself as the unrivalled “Rings King,” Lucira focuses exclusively on celebrating proposals, weddings, anniversaries, and personal achievements with intentional design and ethical brilliance. Lucira is born out of a simple but powerful idea: that luxury can be meaningful, personal, and responsible. Inspired by the Latin word Lucent, meaning “to shine,” the brand represents purity, brilliance, and a commitment to illuminating life’s most cherished moments with jewelry that reflects values as much as beauty. Merging heritage craftsmanship with cutting-edge innovation, Lucira combines AI-led personalization, certified lab-grown diamonds, and a seamless digital-first experience to build trust and intimacy in an industry that has traditionally relied on opaqueness and excess.
The launch of Lucira comes at a time when lab-grown diamonds are reshaping the fine jewelry landscape, both in India and globally. These diamonds are physically, visually, and chemically identical to mined diamonds, offering the same brilliance and longevity—but at a significantly lower financial cost. Certified by IGI, GIA, SGL, and Hallmark, Lucira diamonds offer complete transparency and assurance of quality. Each piece is handcrafted by artisans who blend traditional techniques with contemporary elegance, creating jewelry that celebrates individuality and connection.
Currently available online with nationwide delivery, Lucira will soon debut its flagship experience stores in key metros, followed by an ambitious retail expansion across India and global markets. With a phased omnichannel growth strategy, the brand is poised to become India’s first global lab-grown diamond luxury house.
Rupesh Jain, Founder of Lucira said, “Our vision is to create a premium, design-led fine jewelry destination that begins online and extends into beautifully curated physical spaces. With AI-powered customization, virtual try-ons, and seamless e-commerce, we’re meeting customers where they are digitally native, value-conscious, and experience-driven. Our upcoming flagship stores will bring this vision to life, blending the ease of technology with the emotion of touch. As we expand across India and into global markets, our goal is simple: to make Lucira synonymous with modern luxury that’s personal, purposeful, and proudly Indian.”
Lucira is carving a niche in the fast-evolving bridal jewelry space, with a sharp focus on solitaires, bespoke engagement rings, eternity bands, and convertible pieces for everyday wear. The brand has introduced five exclusive signature cuts, each designed to maximize light, emotion, and brilliance. These aren’t just rings, they’re declarations of love, symbols of milestones, and heirlooms reimagined for a new generation.
Jain added, “Lucira is about elevating meaningful moments with timeless design and ethical brilliance. We’re not just shaping rings, we’re shaping what they represent in today’s world.
For Rupesh Jain, Lucira is more than a comeback, it’s a vision for the future of fine jewelry. One where innovation, ethics, and emotional resonance converge. India’s robust diamond manufacturing ecosystem and supportive government policies provide an ideal backdrop for Lucira’s ambitions. Jain believes India is uniquely positioned to become a major supplier and brand builder in the global LGD market, which has already seen strong demand in international markets as well.
National News
New FTAs, New Markets: IIJS Bharat Premiere 2026 Opens as India’s Jewellery Exporters Eye Fresh Global Access
- India Moves Closer to Becoming a Global Rough Diamond Trading Hub as Bill Proposing 15-Year Tax Exemption on SNZ Sales Is Introduced in Parliament
- 25 Years of IIJS: Connecting the Global Jewellery Industry with India’s Excellence
Mumbai, 5 August 2026 — The 42nd edition of IIJS Bharat Premiere opened at the Jio World Convention Centre, Mumbai, today, against the most favourable trade backdrop the Indian gem and jewellery industry has ever known. A succession of free trade agreements — with the UAE, Australia, Oman and the United Kingdom, with the European Union and New Zealand to follow — has redrawn the export map for Indian jewellery, opening some of the world’s most valuable markets on preferential terms.
The show was inaugurated by Shri Chandrashekhar Bawankule, Hon’ble Minister of Revenue, Government of Maharashtra, in the presence of Dr. Vijay Darda, Former Member of Rajya Sabha; Mr. Ananthanarayanan Hariharan, CEO, Damas Jewellery; and Mr. Pritesh Patel, CEO and President, GIA; Mr. Dnyaneshwar Patil, Development Commissioner, SEEPZ, SEZ Mumbai— alongside Mr. Kirit Bhansali, Chairman, GJEPC; Mr. Shaunak Parikh, Vice Chairman, GJEPC; Mr. Anil Virani, Convener Accounts & Finance, GJEPC and Mr. Sabyasachi Ray, Executive Director, GJEPC.
The timing is significant. The India–UK CETA came into force on 15 July and the India–Oman CEPA on 1 June, while agreements with the European Union and New Zealand await operationalisation. For the exporters and buyers on the show floor this week, the commercial map looks materially different from a year ago.
Recognised as the world’s second-largest gem and jewellery B2B exhibition, IIJS Bharat Premiere 2026 spans over 135,000 sq. metres across two venues, featuring more than 2,100 exhibitors across 3,600 stalls. The show is expected to draw over 50,000 visitors, including 2,700+ international buyers from more than 80 countries.
The exhibition runs at the Jio World Convention Centre (JWCC), BKC, from 5 to 9 August, and at the Bombay Exhibition Centre (BEC), NESCO, Goregaon, from 6 to 10 August 2026. This year also marks 25 years of IIJS as India’s premier B2B gem and jewellery exhibition.
Running concurrently at the Bombay Exhibition Centre from 6 to 10 August, the India Gem & Jewellery Machinery Expo (IGJME) has established itself as the industry’s premier platform for advanced manufacturing technology. This year’s edition features 249 exhibitors across 348 stalls, presenting the latest in jewellery manufacturing, automation, precision engineering, tools and equipment — underscoring the industry’s push towards technology-enabled, globally competitive production.
Shri Chandrashekhar Bawankule, Hon’ble Minister of Revenue, Government of Maharashtra, said:
“Maharashtra has always been the heart of India’s gem and jewellery industry, and with the State’s dedicated Gem & Jewellery Policy 2025, we are creating an ecosystem that encourages investment, generates employment and strengthens the industry’s global competitiveness. The Government of Maharashtra remains committed to working hand-in-hand with the industry to make the state the preferred destination for gem and jewellery manufacturing, exports and innovation.”
Dr. Vijay Darda, Former Member of Rajya Sabha said:
“India’s gem and jewellery industry is much more than a business—it is a reflection of our rich culture, craftsmanship and entrepreneurial spirit. While India has earned global recognition as a manufacturing powerhouse, the next step is to build world-class Indian jewellery brands that command trust and admiration across international markets. With our unmatched artistry, adoption of technology and continued support from the Government, I am confident that India’s gem and jewellery exports can achieve far greater milestones in the years ahead.”
Mr. Pritesh Patel, CEO and President, GIA said:
“IIJS Premiere reflects India’s growing influence in the global gem and jewellery industry. Every year, it brings together craftsmanship, innovation and international collaboration under one roof. GIA is proud to support this remarkable platform that continues to shape the future of our industry. As consumer expectations evolve, trust, transparency and education become more important than ever.
India is not only a global manufacturing powerhouse but also an emerging hub of innovation, talent and leadership. Together, we have an extraordinary opportunity to build a future rooted in integrity, confidence and lasting value for consumers around the world.”
Mr. Ananthanarayanan Hariharan, CEO, Damas Jewellery said:
“IIJS continues to demonstrate India’s remarkable strength in jewellery design, craftsmanship, and innovation. For Damas, it remains an invaluable platform to reconnect with trusted partners, discover fresh inspiration, and strengthen long-standing relationships. As consumer expectations evolve, our industry must lead through creativity, deeper customer understanding, and collaboration. India has the talent, vision, and entrepreneurial spirit to shape the future of the global jewellery business, and IIJS is central to that journey.”
Addressing the gathering, Shri Kirit Bhansali, Chairman, GJEPC, said:
“IIJS Bharat Premiere has evolved into one of the world’s most influential B2B gem and jewellery exhibitions. It is where the global jewellery industry comes together to source, collaborate, discover new trends and build long-term business partnerships. As India’s flagship jewellery show celebrates 25 years, IIJS today reflects the world’s confidence in Indian craftsmanship, manufacturing excellence, innovation and our growing leadership in global trade.”
Speaking about the introduction of the Taxation and Other Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2026 in Parliament, Shri Bhansali added, “The proposed 15-year tax exemption for rough diamond sales through India’s Special Notified Zones is a landmark reform for our industry. For decades, India has cut and polished the world’s diamonds without ever trading them. That is now set to change. Global mining companies and traders will bring their rough directly to India, enabling our manufacturers to source at the origin with better access, greater choice and competitive pricing. India will no longer be known only as the place where diamonds are made. India is poised to become a global hub where diamonds are bought and sold.”
Reflecting on IIJS Bharat Premiere completing 25 years as India’s premier B2B jewellery show, Shri Bhansali said, “If the last 25 years established India as a global manufacturing hub, the next 25 years must establish India as a global leader in the gem and jewellery business.” He noted that a series of reforms—including new FTAs, the nationwide hand-carriage facility for jewellery exports, and the e-commerce export framework for MSMEs and artisans—are creating new opportunities for exporters. He also highlighted India’s first-ever Pre-Auction Diamond Viewing Event and Melee Auction at the Bharat Ratnam Mega CFC under the FTWZ framework as another milestone in India’s journey towards becoming a global diamond trading hub.
“These reforms have created new opportunities. We must create demand for Indian jewellery, build globally recognised Indian brands, and strengthen Brand India across every major market.”
The show also features The Select Club, a curated showcase of India’s finest couture jewellery; 20 Under 40, recognising emerging industry leaders; JewelStart Demo Day, spotlighting jewellery-tech startups; and Innov8 Talks, bringing together global experts to discuss the future of diamonds, AI, technology, precious metals and the evolving gem and jewellery business.
About The Gem and Jewellery Export Promotion Council (GJEPC)
The Gem & Jewellery Export Promotion Council (GJEPC), set up by the Ministry of Commerce, Government of India (GoI) in 1966, is one of several Export Promotion Councils (EPCs) launched by the Indian Government, to boost the country’s export thrust, when India’s post-Independence economy began making forays in the international markets. Since 1998, the GJEPC has been granted autonomous status. The GJEPC is the apex body of the gems & jewellery industry and today represents 10900+ members in the sector. With headquarters in Mumbai, GJEPC has Regional Offices in New Delhi, Kolkata, Chennai, Surat and Jaipur, all of which are major centres for the industry. It thus has a wide reach and is able to have a closer interaction with members to serve them in a direct and more meaningful manner. Over the past decades, GJEPC has emerged as one of the most active EPCs and has continuously strived to both expand its reach and depth in its promotional activities as well as widen and increase services to its members.
Facebook: www.facebook.com/GJEPC
Youtube: www.youtube.com/gjepcindia
Twitter: www.twitter.com/GJEPCIndia
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New FTAs, New Markets: IIJS Bharat Premiere 2026 Opens as India’s Jewellery Exporters Eye Fresh Global Access
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