National News
GJEPC Collaborates with Delhi Customs to Streamline Jewellery Export via Personal Carriage
Follow-up meeting focuses on refining SOPs under Circular No. 09/25 – Customs to ease export processes through Delhi’s Precious Cargo Warehouse
On 15 April, a delegation from the GJEPC Northern Regional Office met with senior officials of Delhi Customs to further refine Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for the import and export of jewellery via personal carriage. This discussion followed an initial meeting held on 9 April and focused on the implementation of Circular No. 09/25 – Customs, dated 28 April 2025, with the goal of issuing a comprehensive public notice for the trade.
Key customs officials present included Mr. Dheeraj Rastogi, IRS, Principal Commissioner – Exports; Ms. Ashima Bansal, IRS, Commissioner – ACC Export; Mr. Vishal Pal Singh, IRS, Commissioner – Airport; Mr. Dibyalok Singh, IRS, Deputy Commissioner – ACC Shed; and Mr. Anuj Kumar Pandey, IRS, Additional Deputy Commissioner – Airport. Representing the GJEPC were Mr. Antarpal Singh Sawhney, Regional Chairman – North, and Mr. Anil Sankhwal, Convener, Studded Jewellery Panel.
The meeting primarily addressed ways to optimise the draft SOPs for hand-carried jewellery exports through the Precious Cargo Warehouse (PCW) operated by Celebi at Delhi Airport. GJEPC representatives proposed practical solutions to remove procedural bottlenecks and speed up customs clearance. Among their key requests was the establishment of a dedicated detention room for appraised parcels within the Central Warehousing Corporation (CWC) cargo shed to reduce delays and improve exporter convenience.
Customs officials, led by Mr. Rastogi, responded positively to the recommendations and assured the delegation of due consideration. They also advised GJEPC to initiate discussions with CWC for space allocation to implement the suggested changes effectively.
National News
Limelight Lab Grown Diamonds Raises INR 275 Crore To Strengthen Vertical Integration and Accelerate Retail Expansion Across India
The INR 275 Crore Funding Will Bolster Manufacturing, Innovation, and Retail Expansion As Limelight Targets 200 Stores Nationwide By 2027.
Limelight Diamonds, India’s leading lab grown diamond jewellery brand, has successfully completed an INR 275 crore strategic funding round led by the Company’s core promoters, the Bhathwari Group, along with participation from key strategic partners from the jewellery industry. The round also saw strong participation from several of the Company’s franchise partners, reinforcing their confidence in Limelight’s long-term vision, business fundamentals, and growth trajectory.
The capital has been raised through a combination of equity and cash consideration and will be utilised towards strengthening the Company’s vertical integration capabilities, expanding manufacturing infrastructure, enhancing design and innovation capabilities, and accelerating retail expansion across India.
At a time when the national conversation is increasingly focused on strengthening domestic industries and reducing dependency on imports under the Hon’ble Prime Minister’s “Make in India” vision, Limelight Diamonds believes the lab grown diamond sector is uniquely positioned to become a globally competitive Indian luxury category. Lab grown diamonds represent a modern, technology-led manufacturing opportunity for India. With strong domestic manufacturing capabilities, skilled craftsmanship, and growing consumer demand, the category aligns closely with India’s ambition to emerge as a global manufacturing and export hub.
Commenting on the milestone, Pooja Madhavan, Founder & MD, said:
“This funding round is a strong validation of Limelight’s vision and the growing potential of the lab grown diamond industry in India. At a time when Hon’ble Prime Minister’s ‘Make in India’ vision is driving focus towards domestic manufacturing and global competitiveness, we believe lab grown diamonds present a significant opportunity for India to lead a new-age luxury category globally. This investment will help us strengthen Indian manufacturing, accelerate retail expansion, and build a world-class brand from India for the world.”

Limelight Diamonds also confirmed that its retail expansion plans remain firmly on track, with aggressive growth planned across metro cities, Tier I, and emerging Tier II markets. The Company aims to significantly increase its national retail footprint through a combination of company-owned and franchise-operated stores, with a target of adding 100 stores in 2026 and scaling up to 200 stores by 2027.
The funding comes at a time when consumer interest in lab grown diamonds is witnessing rapid momentum globally, driven by evolving preferences, value-conscious luxury consumption, sustainability considerations, and increasing acceptance among younger consumers.
With a strong retail network, vertically integrated operations, and growing investor confidence, Limelight Diamonds is positioning itself at the forefront of India’s next-generation jewellery revolution.
BSC Advisors served as the financial advisor to Limelight Lab Grown Diamonds for this strategic fund raise.
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