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Diamond & Jewellery Industry: 2025 Review and Leadership View on 2026

By Akash Talesara, President : Sky Gold and Diamonds Ltd

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From a leadership standpoint, 2025 was a year of stabilization and disciplined execution for the diamond and jewellery industry. It was not a year of exuberant growth, but one that tested operational resilience, capital efficiency, and strategic clarity. The industry navigated a complex environment shaped by uneven demand recovery and external trade-related pressures, while continuing to adapt to changing consumer behavior.

2025: A Year of Consolidation and Control

The industry in 2025 moved through a phase of consolidation and gradual normalization. Key markets including India, the Middle East, and the U.S. showed selective recovery. India remained the strongest pillar of demand, driven by weddings, festivals, and sustained aspirational consumption.

However, trade policy uncertainty—particularly U.S. tariff-related developments—had a visible impact on sentiment and trade flows. Export-oriented businesses faced cautious ordering patterns, margin pressure, and delayed buying decisions. These conditions forced companies to recalibrate pricing, reassess supply chains, and tighten risk management. While the impact varied by segment, the overall message was clear: agility and discipline mattered more than scale.

Consumer preference during the year remained firmly aligned toward lightweight, design-led jewellery and value-conscious diamond offerings. Organized players continued to strengthen trust through branding, certification, and transparency. Across the value chain, focus areas were clear—inventory rationalization, cost optimization, and prudent working capital deployment. Volatility in gold prices and selective softness in discretionary spending reinforced the need for operational rigor.

2026: Clearer Visibility and Structural Shifts

Looking ahead to 2026, I am cautiously optimistic. With improving visibility on global trade policies and a relatively stable macroeconomic environment, confidence is expected to recover progressively.

One of the most important structural shifts gaining momentum is the move toward lower karatage gold—particularly 9KT and 14KT—across daily-wear and lifestyle jewellery. Affordability without compromising design or durability is becoming central to consumer decision-making. Lower karat gold supports higher purchase frequency, attracts younger consumers, and enables volume-led growth across domestic and export markets.

Design will be the key differentiator in 2026. As the industry moves away from purely occasion-driven consumption toward everyday relevance, design-led innovation in daily-wear, office-wear, and lifestyle jewellery will define winners.

Today’s consumers are seeking jewellery that fits seamlessly into modern lifeminimalist, lightweight, functional, and versatile. Pieces that can be worn comfortably throughout the day, layered easily, and aligned with contemporary aesthetics are increasingly preferred over traditional heavy formats. This shift is especially pronounced among urban and younger consumers, and it represents a long-term change in buying behavior, not a short-term trend.

Key Takeaway

The next phase of growth in the diamond and jewellery industry will be driven less by cyclical recovery and more by strategic execution—the right product mix, right pricing architecture, design differentiation, and disciplined capital management. Companies that align closely with evolving consumer expectations while maintaining operational efficiency will be best positioned to lead in 2026 and beyond.

Jb Exclusive: Digital view

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By Invitation

A fun, practical New Year note for jewellery business owners

Wishing You a Healthier, Happier & Wiser 2026 – By Shivaram A

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A new year arrives with a new set of—what else—New Year resolutions. And 2026 is no different.

Resolution makers, beware. Research says nearly 80% of New Year resolutions collapse by mid-February. There’s even a name for it: the second Friday of January is officially called Quitters’ Day.

So, here’s the uncomfortable question: Do you want 2026 to be any different, or should we just block your calendar till Quitters’ Day?

If your answer is a serious yes, then it boils down to two things:

  1. What exactly do you want?
  2. How badly do you want it?

Because let’s be honest intentions are cheap. Discipline is expensive.

If you’re still reading, congratulations. You haven’t quit yet.

Most business resolutions sound familiar: higher sales, higher profits (or much higher profits), more stores, more customers. And yes—higher gold and silver prices too. On that one, we have very little control… though prayers are always welcome!

But for 2026, let’s look beyond only business numbers and focus on three areas that quietly decide your long-term success.

1. A Healthier You in 2026

A typical day before 2025 (you may recognise this): Late wake-up. Late breakfast. Reaching the store by 11 am—or noon on a “busy” day. Vendor meetings. Lunch at 3 pm. Evening snacks at 6 pm. Endless cups of chai. Store closes at 9 pm. Dinner at 10:30 pm. Netflix or phone scrolling. Sleep well past midnight.

Not everything applies—but enough of it does to make you uncomfortable.

The result? Low energy, rising health reports, and a body that protests quietly… until it doesn’t.

Resolution for a Healthier 2026

Start with a complete health check-up. Think of it as your personal P&L statement—it shows your condition on one specific day.

Identify what I like to call “golden furniture” in the body—parts that have stopped moving but still occupy space.

Then act:

  • Better food (not fancy diets)
  • Regular movement (not heroic gym resolutions)
  • Better sleep (yes, even for business owners)

Warning: Change will be uncomfortable. But so is ignoring the problem.

Set SMART health goals—Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic, Time-bound.

2. A Happier You in 2026

Let’s admit it—becoming happier has rarely featured on a jeweller’s resolution list.

Resolution for a Happier 2026

Make happiness intentional, not accidental.

Start with something simple: one family dinner or friends’ meal every week.

According to the World Happiness Report (based on over 1,50,000 people), those who regularly eat with others report:

  • Higher life satisfaction
  • More positive emotions
  • Fewer negative emotions

One strict rule: phones stay away. If the phone joins the table, happiness leaves early.

3. A Wiser You in 2026

You’ve built a successful business. The numbers prove it. Experience, instinct, and industry knowledge have served you well.

But the world is shifting—fast.

AI. Agentic AI. AI Agents. (And yes, everyone is still figuring out the difference.)

People deep in this space believe AI may have a bigger impact than the internet itself.

The real question is not whether AI will affect jewellery retail—but whether you’ll learn early or catch up late.

For traditional business owners, the willingness to learn and apply new tools is the new unfair advantage.

A Simple 2026 Resolution Action Plan

Action AreaExampleFinal Status – 31.12.2026
Healthier30 minutes movement dailyAchieved / Not Achieved
HappierWeekly family dinnerAchieved / Not Achieved
WiserOne AI implementationAchieved / Not Achieved

No overthinking. No complex dashboards. Just honest tracking.

Ready to make 2026 different?

If you want help converting good intentions into clear action plans—for health, happiness, or business wisdom—I’m happy to help you think it through.

Let’s ensure you’re still on track after Quitters’ Day.

Here’s wishing you a Healthier, Happier & Wiser 2026.

Call or WhatsApp on 90360 36524
Email: RetailGurukul.com

Jb Exclusive : Digital View

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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.

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