National News
Government adds 7 new districts for mandatory gold hallmarking, taking total to 380
New Delhi, March 5, 2026 — In a decisive step towards fortifying consumer safeguards and elevating transparency in the precious metals ecosystem, the Central Government has promulgated the Hallmarking of Gold Jewellery and Gold Artefacts (Amendment) Order, 2026, effective March 2, 2026. This pivotal amendment, issued by the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution and published in the Official Gazette, revises the territorial annexure originally established under the 2020 Hallmarking Order.
The notification substitutes the prior district schedule with an optimized, expanded framework, progressively incorporating additional jurisdictions to achieve broader nationwide coverage. As part of the sixth phase of phased implementation, this update integrates seven new districts—Rupnagar (Punjab), Banda (Uttor Pradesh), Beed (Maharashtra), Gomati (Tripura), Katihar (Bihar), Beawar (Rajasthan), and Neemuch (Madhya Pradesh)—elevating the total number of districts under mandatory BIS hallmarking to 380.
This calibrated expansion aligns with the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) Act, 2016, and follows extensive stakeholder consultations, underscoring the Government’s commitment to public interest priorities. In notified districts, all gold jewellery and artefacts must now bear the authoritative BIS hallmark, encompassing the BIS logo, precise purity grade (covering 14K to 24K caratages), and requisite identification marks. This standardized certification mechanism effectively mitigates adulteration risks, empowers informed consumer decision-making, and fosters greater accountability across the gold value chain.
Building on successive amendments—including the most recent prior update in July 2025—the 2026 Order accelerates the phased mandate initiated in 2021, transitioning from initial coverage of 256 districts towards comprehensive penetration in tier-2 and tier-3 markets. The initiative reinforces trust in domestic gold transactions amid elevated commodity prices and positions India’s jewellery sector for enhanced global competitiveness through uniform quality assurance protocols.
Industry participants in the newly designated districts are advised to expedite alignment with BIS certification and assaying requirements to ensure seamless compliance and uninterrupted operations.
This forward-looking regulatory measure reaffirms the Government’s proactive stance in delivering value-driven consumer protection while driving sustainable growth in one of India’s cornerstone retail and cultural sectors.
National News
Lukson Jewels expands retail presence amid rising demand for LGD jewellery
The brand, backed by JK Star Group, is witnessing 25% month on month growth and plans to scale from five to over 30 stores across key Indian markets
Lukson Jewels, India’s emerging lab grown diamond jewellery brand founded by third generation diamantaire Anand Lukhi, is witnessing accelerated growth as demand for conscious luxury and everyday fine jewellery rises among Millennial and Gen Z consumers. Backed by the 34-year legacy of the JK Star Group, the brand continues to strengthen its position within the evolving fine jewellery landscape through vertical integration, omnichannel expansion, and design led innovation.
Since launch, Lukson has recorded a sustained 25 percent month on month growth rate, signalling strong product market alignment and repeat customer adoption. Within the first six months of operations, the brand has served over 20,000 customers, achieving more than 99 percent customer satisfaction, reinforcing consumer trust across quality, pricing transparency, and overall buying experience.


The brand’s traction reflects a broader shift in jewellery consumption patterns, particularly among working professionals and younger buyers who increasingly prioritise sustainability, transparency, and versatility over traditional occasion driven purchases.
Today, Lukson offers over 1,500 unique jewellery designs across online and offline channels, spanning earrings, rings, necklaces, and bracelets crafted with SGL certified lab grown diamonds. New collections are introduced every 15 days, enabling the brand to remain trend responsive while sustaining engagement across categories.
The onboarding of actor Vaani Kapoor as Brand Ambassador has further strengthened Lukson’s positioning at the intersection of modern elegance, ethical sourcing, and aspirational affordability. The association reflects the brand’s intent to build cultural relevance alongside commercial scale.
Currently operating five offline retail stores across five cities, Lukson plans to scale to over 30 stores across key Indian markets, reinforcing its omnichannel strategy and enabling deeper consumer access through experiential retail formats.

Speaking on the brand’s growth trajectory, Anand Lukhi, Founder and CEO, Lukson, said, “Lukson was created around a simple insight that modern consumers want jewellery that reflects both personal style and personal values. Lab grown diamonds allow us to offer the same brilliance and craftsmanship associated with fine jewellery while addressing concerns around sustainability and transparency. Our growth validates that conscious luxury is no longer niche. It is becoming the new mainstream.”
Rooted in JK Star Group’s vertically integrated diamond ecosystem, Lukson combines decades of expertise in grading, craftsmanship, and manufacturing with contemporary D2C retail strategies. This integration allows the brand to maintain tighter quality control while offering premium designs at accessible price points.

Vedant Lukhi, Co-Founder of Lukson, added, “Our focus has been to build systems that support scale without compromising trust. Vertical integration gives us supply security and cost efficiency, while design innovation and fast collection cycles allow us to stay culturally relevant. The goal is not just growth, but sustainable and disciplined expansion.”
Expansion Strategy and Manufacturing Investments
As part of its next phase of growth, Lukson is investing in strengthening its supply chain infrastructure. The company plans to expand its lab grown diamond cultivation capacity to over 400 growing units, ensuring long term supply reliability, enhanced quality control, and improved cost optimisation.
On the retail front, Lukson aims to scale across India through a hybrid retail model comprising exclusive brand stores and shop in shop formats across malls and high street locations in Tier 1 and Tier 2 cities. This expansion supports the brand’s vision of building deeper national penetration while maintaining a consistent omnichannel experience.
Lab grown diamonds, which possess the same physical, chemical, and optical properties as mined diamonds, continue to gain acceptance globally due to reduced environmental impact and ethical sourcing advantages. Lukson’s model aligns this technological advancement with evolving consumer expectations around transparency, accessibility, and responsible luxury.
With strong early growth momentum, expanding retail infrastructure, and continued investment across manufacturing and brand development, Lukson is positioning itself as a rising name in India’s conscious luxury jewellery segment.
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