JB Insights
HIJS 2024 exceeds expectations: booming visitor traffic and flourishing business deals
South India’s Largest B2B Jewellery Exhibition attracts record breaking trade visitors; exhibitors elated with the volume of business done
The Hyderabad International Jewellery Show (HIJS) 2024, South India’s premier B2B jewellery exhibition, was a resounding success. Held at the GMR Arena near Hyderabad Airport from June 21-23, 2024, the event received high praise from exhibitors, visitors, and trade bodies alike. The exhibition concluded on a high note, with booths bustling with activity until the final moments on the last day.
The show was inaugurated in the presence of as Dr B. Govindan, State President, AKGSMA; Jayantilal Challani, President, MJDTA; Kailash Charan, President, Twin Cities Jewellers Association; Jagdish Prasad Verma, President, Telangana Bullion Gems & Jewellers Federation; Paul Alukka and John Alukka, Managing Directors, Jos Alukkas; Parasmal Ranka, President, Telangana Pawn Broker Jewellers Association; Shantilal Jain, Chief Organiser, A.P. Bullion Gold, Silver and Diamond Merchant’s Association; Yogesh Kothari, President, IBJA – Tamil Nadu; Mohanlal Jain, COA, GJC; Adv. S. Abdul Nazar, Treasurer, AKGSMA & Director, GJC; V K Manoj, Project Director- United Exhibitions and other dignitaries of the GJ industry.
V K Manoj, Project Director of United Exhibitions, the organizer of HIJS 2024, remarked, “The overwhelming response to HIJS 2024 surpassed our expectations. Exhibitors were highly satisfied, particularly with the strict implementation of business-only entry norms and the quality of facilities provided. The success of HIJS 2024 and the industry support we received have been immensely encouraging.”
Broad-based Support
HIJS 2024 was enthusiastically received by all stakeholders. Dr. B Govindan, Chairman, Bhima Jewellery, South Zone Chairman, GJC and also the chief guest, lauded the event and reaffirmed the industry’s support to the serious trade shows like HIJS
A vigorous promotional campaign, including roadshows and door-to-door drives in key jewellery hubs, significantly boosted awareness, backed by local trade associations. Leading personalities from major associations across southern states graced the opening day, highlighting the event’s significance.
Significant Pan-India Participation
HIJS 2024 provided a platform that brought together leading manufacturers from across the country to cater the needs of jewellery retailers from both the South and other key regions. The diverse visitor profile from various states led some participants to compare the show favourably with other national exhibitions.
The show featured 250+ exhibitors in around 600 booths spread over 1,25,000 sq ft of exhibition space. An estimated 25,00,000 jewellery designs were showcased, offering a vast array of choices across gold, diamond, and silver jewellery, as well as loose gemstones. Additionally, the latest technology and software solutions for the jewellery industry were on display.
High Footfalls, Brisk Business
Exhibitors expressed extreme satisfaction with the steady flow of trade visitors over the three days. Many noted the significant number of footfalls, even on the last day, comparable to the opening day. Large groups of buyers from Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, and South India attended, alongside a significant number of trade visitors from various parts of India.
Concurrent Events
The significance of HIJS 2024 as a business networking event was highlighted by various key concurrent events which included:
- Coffee with Dr Chetan Kumar Mehta, in conversation with Mr Varghese Alukkas, Managing Director, Jos Alukkas Jewellers.
- Panel Discussion on Lab Grown Diamond Market
- Kohinoor Jewellery Awards
United Exhibitions confirmed that nearly all exhibitors have already signed up for HIJS Diwali Edition 2024, scheduled to be held from 18th to 20th October 2024 at HITEX Exhibition Centre, Madhapur, Hyderabad.
Amit Kumar, CEO & Co-founder, QWEEN, speaking to JewelBuzz, said jewellery brands are actually “marketplaces masquerading as brands.” QWEEN disrupts the fragmented diamond industry by replacing “aggregator” models with a 100% natural, Mine-to-Market approach. By sourcing exclusively from Rosy Blue, they maintain a closed-loop supply chain that guarantees a documented, audited journey for every stone. Moving beyond marketing jargon, QWEEN prioritises transparency and ethical integrity through Kimberley Process compliance, transforming the intimidating traditional buying process into a confident, self-discovery experience for the modern woman.
You’ve made a bold claim that most Indian jewellery brands are actually “marketplaces masquerading as brands.” What do you mean by that?
For decades, the industry has operated on an illusion. Most retailers act like aggregators—they source diamonds from a vast web of multiple vendors in various batches. Much like a restaurant sourcing ingredients from different suppliers to save costs, these jewellers prioritise efficiency over consistency. The result is a fragmented supply chain where even the jeweller often cannot tell you the true origin of the stones they are selling. We felt modern luxury deserved better than that ambiguity.
QWEEN calls itself India’s first “100% natural, Mine-to-Market” brand. How does your sourcing model actually differ from the norm?
We chose a path that is intentionally harder and slower. Instead of juggling multiple vendors, we source every single diamond from one revered origin: Rosy Blue. With over 63 years of heritage, they aren’t just a supplier; they are our strategic supply-chain investors. Because they are sightholders with direct access to ethically sourced rough diamonds, we have a documented, audited chain of custody. We don’t just trace a diamond to a country; we trace it through its entire journey.
Ethical sourcing is a popular buzzword. How do you move beyond “marketing narratives” to provide verifiable proof to your customers?
We believe trust is built through structural integrity, not just slogans. Every diamond at QWEEN is Kimberley Process compliant, meaning it is verifiably conflict-free by global standards. Because we don’t deal in “mixed batches,” there is zero room for inconsistency. We intend to prove this transparency directly to our customers within our retail stores, showing them the verifiable truth behind their purchase.
You often mention moving away from “jargon and intimidation” in the buying process. What does the “self-discovery” experience look like for a woman shopping at QWEEN?
Historically, buying diamonds has felt transactional or even intimidating. We want to change that. When a woman understands exactly where her diamond came from, who worked on it, and why it’s graded a certain way, the purchase transforms. It’s no longer about pressure; it’s about ownership and confidence. We want our customers to connect the diamond’s journey to their own identity and values.
What is next for QWEEN, and where can customers experience this new model of luxury?
Our philosophy is coming to life in our upcoming experiential stores in Bangalore and Delhi. These won’t just be retail spaces; they are environments designed for clarity and intent. We aren’t building this brand on the size of our assortment, but on the courage to do things differently.
| Feature | Traditional Marketplaces | QWEEN (Mine-to-Market) |
|---|---|---|
| Sourcing | Fragmented: Diamonds pass through many hands, making it hard to pinpoint origin. | Single Source: Sourced directly through Rosy Blue, ensuring a closed-loop system. |
| Traceability | Opaque: Often impossible to guarantee the exact journey of a specific stone. | Fully Documented: Offers a clear, verifiable chain of custody from the mine to the wearer. |
| Ethical Standards | Inconsistent: Rely heavily on vague marketing or secondary certifications. | Strict Compliance: 100% Kimberley Process compliant with rigorous ethical oversight. |
| Customer Vibe | Transactional: Can feel cold, intimidating, and buried in technical jargon. | Experiential: Focuses on the “story” of the diamond, making it personal and relatable. |
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JewelBuzz is Asia’s First Digital Jewellery Media & India’s No.1 B2B Jewellery Magazine, published by AM Media House. Since 2016, we’ve been the trusted source for jewellery news, market trends, trade insights, exhibitions, podcasts, and brand stories, connecting jewellers, retailers, and industry professionals worldwide.