DiamondBuzz
GJEPC champions diamond sustainability at St. Petersburg International Economic Forum in Russia
GJEPC made a strong statement on diamond sustainability and global collaboration at the 28th St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF) held in Russia on 19 June. Representing India at the forum were Kirit Bhansali, Chairman, GJEPC; and Ajesh Mehta, Convener, Diamond Panel, GJEPC.
The GJEPC delegation also met with Pavel Marinychev, CEO of ALROSA, to explore avenues for deeper cooperation between the Indian and Russian diamond sectors.
Kirit Bhansali was a featured speaker at the roundtable titled ‘The Evolution of Conscious Consumption: Emerging Trends in the Global Diamond Market’, where industry leaders discussed carbon neutrality, ethical sourcing, and future market trends.

In his address, Kirit Bhansali congratulated ALROSA for achieving a carbon neutrality certification from TUV AUSTRIA for its rough diamonds. “This is a big achievement. It demonstrates the company’s strong commitment to sustainability and environmental stewardship,” he said.Highlighting India’s growing role not just as a supplier but as a consumer of diamonds, he noted, “India’s diamond and jewellery consumption stands at $85 billion, with $8.5 billion from diamonds alone. By 2030, this figure is set to double to over $17 billion, making India a major diamond jewellery consuming market.”
Kirit Bhansali noted that global consumption patterns are shifting rapidly, driven by millennial and Gen Z consumers who expect transparency and accountability from the brands they support. “Positioning natural diamonds as carbon-conscious luxury—highlighting their environmental value and ability to capture carbon—will help distinguish them from lab-grown alternatives and support category growth,” he said.
Kirit Bhansali pointed to the broader contributions of the natural diamond industry, stating, “India’s diamond sector supports over a million jobs, strengthens families, builds communities, and significantly contributes to our export economy. These social and economic benefits must be recognised as part of the industry’s sustainability story.”
On the marketing front, he reinforced GJEPC’s long-standing support for promoting natural diamonds. “Industry marketing funds should inform consumers about how diamonds are doing good—not just economically, but environmentally too,” he said.
Kirit Bhansali concluded with a thought-provoking message: “The value of a diamond has always been defined by the 4 Cs—Cut, Clarity, Colour, and Carat. But today, a fifth ‘C’ is rising: ‘Carbon Neutral’. Sustainability is fast becoming a new standard of value. Maybe it’s time the world accepts ‘Carbon Neutral’ as the new C in diamonds.”
DiamondBuzz
De Beers Group Launches “Heera Hai Aapke Liye” Program at IIJS Bharat Signature to Revolutionize Natural Diamond Accessibility in India
De Beers Group, the world’s leading diamond company, marked a significant milestone in the Indian jewellery landscape with the official launch of the “Heera Hai Aapke Liye” program at IIJS Signature. The star-studded event featured actress Sonakshi Sinha, who joined Shweta Harit, Global Senior Vice President of De Beers Group and CEO of Forevermark, to unveil an initiative dedicated to making natural diamonds an integral part of daily life for the modern Indian consumer.



The “Heera Hai Aapke Liye” (Diamonds are for You) program is strategically designed to promote natural diamonds by raising awareness, boosting market visibility,and creating a seamless connection between retailers and consumers. With a focus on modern designs and attractive price points, the program also lets local retailers use De Beers Group campaigns as their own—second-piercing earrings, ‘Bestie’ bracelets, and ‘Intention’ pendants. It positions diamonds as a lifestyle choice for self-expression and daily wear.

Speaking at the launch, Shweta Harit, Global Senior Vice President of De Beers Group and CEO of Forevermark, detailed the evolution of the brand’s storytelling, stating, “De Beers Group has a rich legacy of creating iconic ritual campaigns that have shaped how the world perceives diamonds. With ‘Heera Hai Aapke Liye,’ program we are evolving that narrative for the Indian market to another level.
We are not just selling jewellery, we are making natural diamonds more accessible and desirable in India. Our goal is to empower retailers through INDRA (Indian Natural Diamond Retailer Alliance) to ensure that every ‘First Diamond’ journey is as credible as it is beautiful.”

Speaking on the occasion, Kirit Bhansali, Chairman, Gem & Jewellery Export Promotion Council (GJEPC), said, “IIJS has always been a powerful platform for shaping the future of India’s gem and jewellery industry, and the launch of ‘Heera Hai Aapke Liye’ at IIJS Signature reinforces that role. GJEPC is proud to partner with De Beers Group on the INDRA (Indian Natural Diamond Retailer Alliance) project, which is a critical step towards strengthening domestic demand for natural diamonds.
By empowering retailers, enhancing consumer confidence, and expanding access across metros and Tier 2 markets, this initiative aligns perfectly with our vision to grow the natural diamond category sustainably within India.”
The program ‘Heera Hai Aapke Liye’, rests on few strategic pillars aimed at industry growth and scalability:
- Stocking & New Consumer Opportunity: Identifying gold wholesalers and distributors across 15–20 cities to focus on a first-phase target of 500 retailers.
- Retailer Advantage: Providing a “Design Advantage” and strict “Product Hygiene,” backed by a clear buy-back policy and robust training and marketing support via the INDRA alliance.
- Heera Hai Aapke Liye is robust entry-level product kit featuring earrings, bangles, bracelets, etc supported by exclusive visual merchandising (VM) for display.
- Growth and Scalability: A PAN-India reach strategy designed to unlock new business opportunities for both manufacturers and retailers.


As India continues to grow as the world’s second-largest market for retail diamond jewellery, De Beers Group remains committed to strengthening the natural diamond narrative. By combining the emotional appeal of natural diamonds with the practical “Heera Hai Aapke Liye” framework, De Beers aims to build a sustainable future for the category across both metros and Tier 2 cities. De Beers and GJEPC aim to expand the base of Natural Diamond buyers, increase self-purchase consideration, and establish long-term credibility for the category.
-
New Premises5 hours agoChow Tai Fook Goes Global: Iconic Jeweler Debuts in Bangkok with Eyes on the West
-
ShowBuzz7 hours agoExperience A New Era of Diamond Jewellery at the revamped DP Jewellers Ujjain & Udaipur Branch
-
National News6 hours agoiAMORY Goes Mobile: D2C Jeweler Debuts App to Disrupt India’s ‘Counter-Led’ Retail
-
National News9 hours agoKISNA Diamond & Gold Jewellery launches KISNA Digital Gold in partnership with SafeGold, expanding its omnichannel gold ecosystem


