Platinum Guild International (PGI) expanded its leadership team, appointing Vaishali Banerjee as Head of Global Market Development. She will also retain her current role as Managing Director – India & Middle East, two key regions for the metal’s growth.

“This is a transformative time for platinum,” said Vaishali Banerjee. “We are witnessing a shift in global sentiment towards meaningful consumption. Platinum — with its rarity, preciousness, and enduring value — is perfectly poised to accompany this moment. I look forward to further strengthening our presence in India and the UAE while building momentum across key and emerging global markets.”

Further reinforcing its leadership bench, PGI has elevated Pallavi Sharma to Deputy Country Manager – India & Middle East. With these regions remaining strategic priorities, the move highlights PGI’s continued focus on driving platinum’s growth through direct market engagement, strategic partnerships, and targeted development initiatives.

“I’m excited to take on this new role at such a dynamic juncture,” said Pallavi Sharma. “Platinum’s narrative is evolving rapidly, and our focus will be on deepening consumer connections and expanding retail partnerships to ensure sustainable category growth across India and the UAE.”

These leadership changes come as platinum gains renewed attention for its price advantage and intrinsic value, positioning it for a promising new growth phase globally.

In the world of fine jewellery, every gemstone carries a story, and every story deserves to be told with precision and passion. Recognizing that true excellence in retail comes from deep product mastery, Golden Carat Pvt. Ltd., an affiliate of the illustrious Shree Ramkrishna Exports, recently partnered with the International Institute of Gemology (IIG) for a transformative corporate training program.

In today’s competitive retail landscape, simply offering a beautiful product is not enough. If the person across the counter cannot articulate the craftsmanship, quality factors, and essence of the piece, the opportunity to connect emotionally with the customer is lost. Knowledge is no longer a value-add; it is fundamental.

Through a deeply engaging and practical training journey curated by IIG, Golden Carat’s team explored the intricate world of Gemology, Jewellery Design Fundamentals, and Effective Sales Strategies. The immersive modules went beyond textbooks; participants experienced hands-on sessions identifying gemstones, decoding colour palettes, storytelling techniques, and real-time customer engagement simulations.

The goal was clear: to empower every team member not just to sell jewellery, but to create meaningful experiences around it.

Mahesh Bhatiya, Director of Golden Carat Pvt. Ltd., expressed, “This training made us realize that when you understand the journey of a stone; from deep within the Earth to the customer’s hands… you sell with conviction, pride, and passion. IIG’s program didn’t just sharpen our skills; it reignited our love for what we do.”

Adding to the sentiment, Rahul Desai, CEO & Managing Director of IIG, shared, “Jewellery isn’t sold by price tags or sparkle alone. It’s sold by people who understand its soul. When a team knows what they’re presenting, and more importantly, why it matters; they naturally inspire trust. That’s what today’s training was all about: building genuine confidence through knowledge.”

The program’s success was made possible by a stellar faculty team: Rajesh Patel, Gunjan Sapra, Anand Gusani, Ashwin Chandrasekhar, and Ritesh Shah, who wove together technical insights, real-world applications, and engaging activities that brought concepts alive.

In an industry where excellence is demanded at every step, forward-looking companies like Golden Carat Pvt. Ltd. are showing that true investment isn’t just in products, but in people. The jewellery retail world is fast recognizing that empowering teams with product literacy and storytelling ability is no longer optional; it is essential for building enduring brands.

Kalyan Jewellers is projecting revenue growth of over 25% for the current financial year, driven by an ambitious expansion plan that will see the Indian gold and diamond retailer open 160 new stores, according to Executive Director Ramesh Kalyanaraman.

Despite record-high gold prices, demand remains strong in India—the world’s second-largest gold-buying market. While affluent buyers continue to invest in high-value ornaments, middle-class consumers are gravitating toward lower-carat and lightweight jewellery. Kalyanaraman noted that shoppers are increasingly favoring organized retail chains over independent jewellers, spending more on gifts and shopping more frequently.

“Kalyan’s strength today lies in our ability to grow nationwide,” Kalyanaraman said in an interview. “We see many untapped markets and believe revenue will easily grow beyond 25% this year.”

As of March-end, Kalyan operated 278 showrooms under its flagship brand and 73 under its more affordable “Candere” label. The new store openings planned for this fiscal year will be equally divided between both brands.

Kalyan’s rapid expansion strategy is aimed at narrowing the gap with Titan Company, its largest competitor, which had over 1,000 jewellery stores across India at the end of March—roughly half of them under the premium “Tanishq” brand. Kalyanaraman said the company hopes its “Kalyan” branded outlets will match the number of Tanishq stores within three years, though he acknowledged that the swift rollout may put pressure on profit margins.

In the fiscal year ending March 31, Kalyan Jewellers saw its revenue surge by over 33% to ₹250.5 billion ($2.9 billion), supported by strong same-store sales and the addition of 136 new locations. Titan, by comparison, reported a 21% revenue rise in its jewellery segment, totaling ₹465.7 billion.