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.
By Invitation
Artisan Perspectives: Rethinking Craft In The Age Of Lab-Grown Stones
Prapanjj S K Kota
Founder & CEO at Réia Diamonds
- Traditionally, diamond value was driven by rarity, origin, and size, with craftsmanship playing a secondary role.
- With the rise of lab-grown diamonds, abundance is shifting focus from rarity to design and craftsmanship.
- Jewellery-making is returning to a craft-first approach, placing artisans at the core of value creation.
- Skill, precision, and finishing quality are becoming primary differentiators.
The rarity of diamonds has historically dictated their market value, and most of the conversation surrounding a diamond’s value has revolved around where (and how rare) it came from, and how large it was. While craftsmanship has always been important, it has often remained secondary, simply supporting the diamond rather than receiving the buyer’s focus.
As lab-grown diamonds begin to enter the market in greater numbers, the conversation surrounding them is also changing. With an increasing supply of diamonds, being a differentiating factor in jewellery becomes much more about design, craftsmanship, and the quality of work than about rarity.
For artisans, this shift means that the focus of making jewellery has returned to the craft itself.
From a technical perspective, lab-grown diamonds do not affect the fundamentals of jewellery making. They will continue to have the same hardness, brilliance, and structural properties that natural diamonds do; therefore, using traditional setting techniques, including precision settings, pavé work, micro-setting, and polishing, will be just as essential. While the tools may be more modern, the knowledge to work with diamonds continues to be based on many years of training and experience.
The major change comes with the new opportunities presented by working with lab-created stones.
Designers are utilising the increased access to stones to try new layouts incorporating a greater focus on symmetry, scale and intricate detail. As jewellery changes, so does its craftsmanship. Today, with designs that involve numerous stones, layered settings, and modern silhouettes, artisans must have an intentional focus on the structural integrity and balance of the pieces being created, elevating their role more than ever before.
As we see craftsmanship play a supporting role to design when jewellery becomes design-centric, the specifics of how stones are aligned, how strong the setting is, and how well metal surfaces are finished will have an impact on how a piece looks, feels, and holds up over time; and therefore, they cannot be replicated with technology alone.
This change also highlights the importance of India’s historical craft traditions. Surat’s experience in the production of diamonds has established it as a leading force in the world of fine jewellery. This industry relies heavily on a team of talented craftsmen and manufacturing expertise, which plays a very important role in the overall development of jewellery that uses natural as well as lab-grown diamonds.
The introduction of lab-grown diamonds offers a fresh new direction for many artisans, as well as introducing something new into the world of fine jewellery. As it becomes less critical to know where a stone comes from, knowing the quality of the craftsmanship around a piece of jewellery will become increasingly essential. Design integrity, structural engineering, and finishing standards will all contribute to defining the real value of a finished piece.
Therefore, there is an opportunity for artisans; thoughtful design with precise execution requires a high level of technical proficiency. The better the craft, the more evident the difference is.
With the rise of lab-grown diamonds, the discussion about value will slowly evolve to include what has always been considered great jewellery: the skill, time, and craftsmanship it takes to create a piece of art from a design.
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