National News
GJC celebrates 25 years of gold hallmarking in India with felicitation of Union Minister Pralhad Joshi
In a momentous occasion for India’s jewellery sector, the All India Gem and Jewellery Domestic Council (GJC) marked 25 years since the introduction of gold hallmarking in India with a grand celebration and felicitation ceremony honoring Pralhad Joshi, the Hon’ble Union Minister of Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution, and Minister of New & Renewable Energy at GJS 2025
The event served not only as a tribute to the journey of hallmarking in India but also as a platform to chart an ambitious roadmap for the future, with a strong focus on expanding hallmarking coverage and fostering technological innovation.
In recognition of his continued support and instrumental role in advancing hallmarking reforms, Pralhad Joshi was felicitated by GJC for his leadership in steering policies that balance consumer protection with industry development. His ministry’s efforts, in collaboration with the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS), have been central to enhancing transparency and quality assurance in the jewellery sector.
In his address, Shri Joshi reiterated the government’s unwavering commitment to strengthening consumer trust while also simplifying compliance for jewellers. He emphasized the hallmarking system as a critical trust-building mechanism and a significant step toward formalizing and modernizing the Indian gold market.
One of the most significant announcements of the event was a joint goal set by the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, BIS, and the jewellery industry: to expand mandatory gold hallmarking to 500 districts across India by the end of this financial year.
This expansion aligns with the broader objective of ensuring uniform quality standards nationwide, preventing consumer fraud, and integrating small and medium jewellers into the formal economy. GJC pledged its full support to assist local jewellers in meeting compliance standards and making hallmarking services accessible, especially in tier-2 and tier-3 cities.
In a groundbreaking move to stimulate innovation in hallmarking technology, GJC and BIS jointly announced the launch of a Hackathon aimed at developing a non-destructive testing (NDT) method for hallmarking gold.
This initiative seeks to address a long-standing concern within the industry: the challenge of verifying hallmark authenticity without damaging the piece of jewellery. Currently, traditional methods often involve partial damage or alteration during testing, which discourages on-the-spot verification by consumers and retailers.
The hackathon is open to startups, research institutions, technologists, and innovators across India and will offer funding and incubation support to viable solutions. A successful NDT mechanism would be a game-changer for quality assurance, enabling real-time, damage-free hallmark authentication across retail outlets, trade shows, and even by consumers themselves.
The celebration of 25 years of hallmarking is a testament to India’s evolution into a more structured and credible jewellery market. From its early stages to now becoming an integral part of the industry’s value chain, hallmarking has grown into a symbol of trust, quality, and consumer empowerment.
With the government, BIS, and GJC joining hands to drive expansion and innovation, the next phase of hallmarking promises to be more inclusive, tech-enabled, and consumer-centric than ever before. The GJC’s proactive role in bridging policy, practice, and innovation reinforces its commitment to nurturing a responsible, transparent, and globally competitive jewellery sector in India.
- The 14th edition of Delhi Jewellery & Gem Fair to mark its biggest ever edition, bringing together 650+ exhibitors, 3,000+ brands, 150,000+ designs & 30,000+ jewellery trade professionals.
- Spread across 5 halls, DJGF 2026 will spotlight an exclusive Silver Pavilion, the largest Machinery Hall, Artisan Zone, Jewellery Retail Symposium, Retail Jewellery Guild Awards, Shakti Awards, Power of Young Awards, Jewellery Manufacturers Icons & much more.
- The event will spotlight lightweight, design-led & commercially viable jewellery.
The 14th edition of the Delhi Jewellery & Gem Fair (DJGF) 2026, North India’s leading B2B jewellery marketplace, is set to return to Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi, from September 26-28, 2026, marking the biggest ever edition in the exhibition’s history.
Organised by Informa Markets in India, the exhibition will provide a comprehensive platform for manufacturers, wholesalers, retailers, distributors, exporters and other industry professionals to discover new collections, build business connections and gain insights.
Timed ahead of the wedding and festive buying cycles, DJGF 2026 is positioned to address evolving market requirements with a strong focus on sourcing, business networking, knowledge exchange and industry engagement. High gold prices and changing consumer purchasing patterns are influencing inventory decisions, with buyers increasingly seeking lightweight, value-conscious, differentiated and commercially viable jewellery.
The exhibition will showcase a wide spectrum of jewellery categories, including plain gold, studded jewellery, silver jewellery, diamond, platinum, gemstones, pearls, bridal, contemporary and fine jewellery, Polki/Jadau, antique jewellery, lightweight jewellery, lab-grown diamonds and gemstones. Alongside jewellery, DJGF 2026 will bring together the wider jewellery ecosystem, including machinery and equipment, technology, packaging, display solutions, software, security systems and allied services, making it a comprehensive B2B sourcing destination.
The 2026 edition will feature leading names from across the jewellery industry, including Beera Jewellers, IDT Gemmological Laboratories, IAGES, Zar Jewels Private Limited, Future Gold & Diamond Jewellery Pvt Ltd, R M Precious Jewellery India Limited, Charu Chain & Jewels Pvt Ltd, Heera Jewels and Gems Pvt Ltd, Shree Balaji Gold, Shree Ramdhari Jewellers, Riddhima Chain & Jewellery, Chain House International Pvt Ltd, Vikas Chain & Jewellery, Grover Jewells Limited, S K Jora Jewellers, K C Jewellers, G R Export, Yashika Diamonds Private Limited, Hissaria Diamonds, Jain Dia Mounts Private Limited, Dazzle Jewels, among others.
A key highlight of DJGF 2026 will be its dedicated Silver Pavilion, bringing a focused selection of silver jewellery exhibitors to the show floor. The exhibition will also feature its largest Machinery Hall, reflecting the increasing role of advanced technology and equipment across the jewellery manufacturing ecosystem.
To further enhance the experience, DJGF includes an Artisan Zone, a live art space celebrating the skill, precision and intricate craftsmanship of Thewa Art Jewellery, and timeless beauty of Silver Filigree of Karimnagar.
The show will introduce the Jewellery Retail Symposium at DJGF for the first time, in strategic partnership with The New Jeweller. The conference will bring together industry experts to discuss retail trends, innovation, consumer behaviour, marketing and business strategies, giving retailers and other trade professionals insights into the forces shaping the market.
DJGF 2026 will also feature the 10th edition of Retail Jewellery Guild Award 2026, Shakti Awards, Retail Jewellery Guild Awards, Power of Young Award, and Jewellery Manufacturers Icons, recognizing contributions and achievements across different facets of the jewellery industry.
Speaking about the upcoming edition, Yogesh Mudras, Managing Director, Informa Markets in India, said:
“India’s gems and jewellery market is projected to reach USD 130 billion by 2030, highlighting the sector’s strong momentum and long-term potential. At the same time, high gold prices and shifting consumer preferences are encouraging retailers to focus on lightweight, value-conscious and differentiated designs, while greater emphasis on hallmarking, transparency and responsible sourcing is shaping the way the industry operates.
As the sector enters one of its most important buying periods, with the festive and wedding season driving demand, DJGF 2026 returns for its 14th edition as the biggest edition in the exhibition’s history. The show has been optimally positioned to provide businesses with opportunities to discover new products, understand industry perspectives, respond to changing demand and strengthen their competitiveness in a dynamic market.”
As the industry evolves, DJGF 2026 will also place greater emphasis on responsible sourcing, sustainability, hallmarking and transparency. The exhibition has partnered with the Responsible Jewellery Council (RJC) as its Sustainability Partner, bringing sustainability and responsible business practices into the broader industry conversation.
Under its “Apna Delhi Wala Show” campaign, the show has built a strong identity within the North Indian jewellery trade, with 14 years of facilitating business connections and industry engagement. The 2026 edition is designed to further strengthen this position through its scale, product breadth, curated buyer programme and pre-festive timing.
DJGF 2026 is supported by leading industry associations including The Bullion and Jewellers Association Delhi, Karol Bagh Jewellers Association, Delhi Jewellers Association Mumbai Wholesale Gold Jewellers Association, Maliwara Jewellers Association, Dariba Jewellers Association, All India Jewellers & Goldsmith Federation, Gurugram Jewellers Association further reinforcing its credibility and reach within the trade ecosystem.
With the jewellery industry navigating high gold prices, evolving consumer preferences and increasing emphasis on responsible business practices, the show will provide a timely platform for the trade to explore new collections, evaluate technologies, identify emerging opportunities and forge business partnerships, while contributing to the continued development of India’s jewellery ecosystem.
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