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GJEPC’s Artisan Jewellery Design Awards celebrate & honour design & craftsmanship

Published

2 years ago

February 11, 2024

The 7th edition of The Artisan Jewellery Design Awards, hosted by the Gem & Jewellery Export Promotion Council (GJEPC) and powered by GIA, challenged designers to tap uncharted territory by integrating unusual materials and cherished objects into their jewellery designs, to infuse their pieces with a unique identity.

Actress and style icon Sonam Kapoor graced GJEPC’s 7^th edition of Artisan Jewellery Design Awards in Mumbai and presented awards to winners. Sonam Kapoor graced the stage with an aura of elegance and charisma along with Vipul Shah Chairman, GJEPC; Kirit Bhansali Vice Chairman, GJEPC; Sriram Natarajan Managing Director, GIA India; Milan Chokshi Convener, Promotions & Marketing, GJEPC; Sabyasachi Ray Executive Director, GJEPC bestowed the coveted awards upon 6 Artisan winners.

This year the theme for the Artisan Jewellery Desing Award were two unconventional themes – ‘Objet Trouvé’ (Found Objects) and ‘Unusual Materials’.

The concept of ‘Objet Trouvé’ centred around crafting jewellery pieces that capture the essence of treasured objects from the past within a contemporary context. While the second theme, ‘Unusual Materials’ encouraged designers to create a dialogue between the familiar and the unexpected by combining contrasting materials with at least 50% precious materials.

This jewellery design contest ignited a spark a wave of creativity, prompting nearly 600 participants from India and abroad to push the envelope and create a new design grammar. The outcome surpassed expectations, breathtaking creations that challenged convention.

Actress & style icon Sonam Kapoor said, “I am proud to be a part of the jewellery industry, which showcases India’s excellence in design and craftsmanship to the world. The Artisan Awards is a great initiative by the GJEPC to nurture and celebrate young talent, who are pushing the boundaries of creativity and innovation. “

Vipul Shah, Chairman, GJEPC, notes, “The Artisan Jewellery Design Awards, now in its 7^th edition, stands as a beacon for creative expression in the jewellery design realm. It offers a coveted platform for talented individuals to unleash their creativity and showcase their innovative designs. Each year, this competition brings forth exclusive, never-seen-before masterpieces that underscore the boundless innovation within our industry. This this competition, our aim is to redefine the landscape of jewellery design and elevate India as a premier design centre. Aligned with the government’s Make in India campaign, The Artisan Awards reinforces GJEPC’s dedication positioning India as a leader in design innovation.”

Milan Chokshi, Convener, Promotions & Marketing, GJEPC, observes: “Each year, we strive to introduce a distinctive theme, challenging participants by collaborating with curators to elevate their engagement. Over the past seven years, the Artisan Awards have assumed increasing significance globally, with India recognising them as the most coveted accolade.”

The list of winners

UNUSUAL MATERIALS: Winner – Cufflinks designed by Aparna Kesarkar and manufactured by Laxmi Dia Jewel Pvt. Ltd.; First Runner-up – Bracelet designed by Ahalya Vijayakumar and manufactured by VBJ; Second Runner-up – Earrings designed by Dipali Ghadigaonkar and manufactured by KP Sanghvi Jewels Pvt. Ltd.

OBJET TROUVÉ: Winner – Earrings designed by Yamini Devasree and manufactured by VBJ; First Runner-up – Hairstick designed by Rashmi Kaushik and manufactured by Kiran Jewels; Second Runner-up – Earrings designed by Vijay Indulkar and Manufactured by Walking Tree Venture Pvt. Ltd.

The entries underwent thorough scrutiny by a distinguished jury comprising Alice Cicolini, a renowned UK jewellery designer; Biren Vaidya, Managing Director of The Rose Group; Payal Singhal, Fashion Designer; Apoorva Deshingkar, Senior Director of Education and Market Development at GIA India; and Toktam Shekarriz, a jewellery designer based in Dubai.

The two-day art festival was held on February 12th-13th, 2024, at Ice Factory, Ballard Estate, Mumbai, and drew a diverse audience including curators, art gallery owners, patrons, art school students and faculty members, socialites, celebrities, connoisseurs, architects, painters, sculptors, and jewellery designers.

Among the highlights of the event were the six winning pieces that captured the attention of attendees:

UNUSUAL MATERIALS

Winner

First Runner-up

Second Runner-up

Manufactured by KP Sanghvi Jewels Pvt. Ltd.

OBJET TROUVÉ

Winner

First Runner-up

Second Runner-up

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India’s ₹361 Lakh Crore Gold Reserve Lies Idle; PM Modi Calls For Recycling To Cut Imports

With An Estimated 32,000 Tonnes Of Gold Sitting Unused In Homes and Temples, The Government Sees A Massive Opportunity To Reduce Imports, Strengthen The Economy, and Build A More Sustainable Gold Ecosystem.

Published

2 days ago

June 3, 2026

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India is sitting on one of the world’s largest untapped gold reserves, with 30,000–32,000 tonnes of gold held by households and temple trusts across the country. Valued at nearly $3.8 trillion (around Rs. 361 lakh crore), much of this gold remains locked away in cupboards, lockers, and vaults, generating little economic value.

Highlighting the importance of this dormant asset, Prime Minister Narendra Modi recently encouraged citizens to consider recycling idle gold rather than relying solely on newly imported supplies. The initiative aims to bring existing gold back into circulation and make better use of resources already available within the country.

The appeal comes at a time when India continues to depend heavily on imported gold to meet domestic demand. During 2025-26, the country spent approximately $72.4 billion (Rs. 6.88 lakh crore) on gold imports, making the precious metal one of the largest contributors to the import bill.

According to experts, increasing gold recycling could deliver significant economic benefits. Every gram of recycled gold reduces the need for an equivalent amount of imports, helping ease pressure on foreign exchange reserves while also supporting efforts to narrow the country’s current account deficit.

Even a small shift could have a substantial impact. Industry estimates suggest that if just 1% of the gold held by households and temples is recycled each year, India’s gold imports could decline by approximately 25% to 30%.

The vast stockpile of idle gold is rooted in India’s longstanding cultural and financial relationship with the metal. For generations, gold has served as a store of wealth, a safeguard during emergencies, and a symbol of family security and prosperity. As a result, many families continue to hold jewellery that is rarely used but seldom sold.

Viewed from a broader perspective, the government sees this dormant gold stock as a valuable domestic resource. Bringing a greater share of it into the formal economy could help reduce dependence on imports, enhance economic stability, and create a more sustainable gold supply chain for the future.