JB Insights
HPJ INTERVIEW
IIJS Tritiya represents a strategic move to capitalize on the significant potential of the South Indian market, particularly leading up to the auspicious festival of Akshaya Tritiya
We create unique, rare, and exotic jewellery pieces that exemplify the skill of gold jewellery craft. Our motivation is to craft exquisite designs that capture the imagination and evoke a sense of beauty
Nikhil Parekh
Hasmukh Parekh Jewellers (HPJ) has been a trailblazer of excellence – established in 1977 at Kolkata, it is the biggest jewellery house in India that is primarily engaged in the manufacturing, exporting and wholesaling of fine gold jewellery. HPJ has been awarded the prestigious IGJA for Gold Jewellery Exporter from India for four consecutive years. Nikhil Parekh, Director, HPJ has brought a fresh perspective toward new jewellery designing, boosting the business with creative skills, dedication & strategic management. He speaks to Steve Fernandes, Chief Editor, JewelBuzz on HPJ’s journey, growth, global reach and other aspects of HPJs success story..


Four decades of excellence- a leading gold jewellery manufacturer, exporter and the wholesaler in India. Take us through this journey of HPJ —from inception to a respected, leading player that has been recognised and honoured for excellence.
HPJ’s journey from a modest Calcutta shop to a leading player in the Indian jewellery industry has been remarkable. Founded in 1977, our commitment to quality, authenticity, and customer satisfaction has propelled us forward. Through our dedication to the innovative Handcrafted Kolkata designs created by the meticulous Bengal craftsmen, we have not only earned the trust of our clients globally but also received recognition through numerous awards. Our constant drive for excellence and sticking to our core values have made us a trusted name in jewellery, shaping the industry for generations to come.
What has been your strategy for growth—from various perspectives: product development, expansion, market segmentation, going global etc?
Our contribution to HPJ’s growth and success story has been multifaceted. We have infused our brand with fresh perspectives in jewellery design, strategic management, and a relentless pursuit of excellence. With a deep understanding of ever-changing trends and demands in the jewellery market, guided by my Dad’s passionate enthusiasm for jewellery and keen eye for design, we create pieces aligned with the latest trends and perfect for every occasion. We take pride in crafting exquisite jewellery that showcases the exceptional workmanship and skill of Kolkata artisans. Through research and development, we encourage innovation, continuously sketching and experimenting with modern designs to meet the needs of both domestic and global markets. This holistic approach ensures that we stay ahead of the curve and maintain our position as a leader in the industry.



Comment on distribution network and reach in India.
At HPJ, we’re humbled by the opportunity to supply to numerous big individual retail stores and corporate houses nationwide. Our predominantly B2B model, coupled with suppliers in key locations such as Mumbai, Delhi, and Gujarat, ensures efficient distribution and widespread availability of our products. This expansive network enables us to cater to diverse market segments and meet the demands of customers across the country, reinforcing our position as a prominent player in the Indian jewellery industry.
Which global markets do you supply your products?
HPJ proudly supplies its products to a variety of global markets, we’ve been exporting our products for four decades, primarily to markets including the USA, UAE, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Qatar, Canada, the UK, and others. Our longstanding presence in these global markets underscores our commitment to delivering quality jewellery worldwide and serving diverse clientele with our exquisite craftsmanship has garnered trust and admiration from discerning buyers across the globe, making HPJ a sought-after brand in the international jewellery landscape.
What segments of gold Jewellery do you manufacture and export? Please provide details of your main product lines?
Our focus is on promoting the handcrafted artistry of Bengal, particularly the intricate craftsmanship of Bengal goldsmiths. We exclusively manufacture Calcutta hand-made products, showcasing the unique skills and techniques of our artisans across the globe. Our main product lines encompass a diverse range of segments tailored to meet the specific preferences and tastes of each market. From traditional designs to contemporary creations, we meticulously develop our product lines according to the needs of customers, ensuring that each piece reflects the essence of its respective market segment.





From both, a domestic and global markets point of view how do you go about identifying markets, understanding Client mindsets, developing product lines, pricing etc. What is your design philosophy? How is it aligned to ever changing market and client preference dynamics?
Our design philosophy revolves around creating unique, rare, and exotic jewellery pieces that exemplify the skill of gold jewellery craft. Our motivation is to craft exquisite designs that capture the imagination and evoke a sense of beauty. We believe in blending artistry with innovation to create designs that resonate with clients both domestically and globally. To identify markets and understand client mindsets, we conduct thorough research to stay abreast of ever-changing trends and preferences. We engage with clients to gain insights into their desires, guiding our product development process to ensure our designs meet their expectations. Our pricing strategy reflects the value and exclusivity of our designs while remaining competitive in the market. Overall, our design philosophy is aligned with evolving market dynamics and client preferences, allowing us to continuously innovate and create jewellery that captivates hearts and minds worldwide.
You are a winner of four consecutive India Gems & Jewellery Awards. Comment on what it means to your organisation and how it drives you to reach newer heights of excellence.
Winning the highest Gold Jewellery Exporter from India for four consecutive years holds immense significance for us and our entire team at HPJ. In an industry marked by fluctuating market conditions and increasing competition due to factors like the introduction of CEPA in UAE and other FTAs, maintaining our position as the top exporter requires relentless effort and dedication. This accolade motivates us to push our boundaries, innovate with new designs, and stay ahead of market trends while upholding the top-notch finishing quality that HPJ is renowned for. It serves as a testament to our team’s competitiveness and commitment to excellence, driving us to continue our legacy of delivering exceptional jewellery for years to come.




Your message to the gem and jewellery industry.
Our message to the gem and jewellery industry is simple: let’s preserve the integrity of our craft by resisting the temptation to devalue our jewellery through extreme price competition. We acknowledge the challenges of operating within thin profit margins, but compromising on quality or undercutting prices can jeopardise the sustainability of our businesses for future generations. Instead, let’s embrace healthy competition based on the uniqueness and quality of our designs, not solely on pricing. By prioritising craftsmanship and creativity, we can uphold the value of our industry and ensure its longevity for years to come.
JB Insights
WGC REPORT: India gold market update: Seasonal strength
Highlights
- Gold prices soften from record highs yet remain supported
- Domestic prices slide back into discount
- Gold demand, led by investment buying, strengthened during the festive period, but softened thereafter
- Gold ETFs continue strong momentum in October with record inflows and new investors
- Gold imports soar in October, despite the price rally
Looking ahead
- The busy wedding season over the coming months (November–March), with a high number of anticipated weddings, is expected to support jewellery demand.
- Investment interest in gold is likely to persist amid broadly bullish sentiment around gold.
Prices retreat from peak, but maintain firm trend

International gold price1 recorded a sharp rally in October, hitting its 50th record high of the year during the month. Although price eased by about 7% from the peak, it still ended October 5% higher at US$4,011.5/oz. The momentum carried into November, with price up nearly 3% m-t-d as of 19 November. This sustained performance has lifted gold’s y-t-d gains to 58%.
Our Gold Return Attribution Model (GRAM) suggests that recent movements in international gold prices have been driven by geopolitical risk, higher implied volatility, a stronger US dollar, as well as momentum and evolving interest-rate expectations.
Domestic gold prices have largely tracked the international trend but have delivered even stronger returns, recording 63% y-t-d growth. The higher domestic gains are attributed to the 3.3% depreciation of the Indian rupee. Domestic gold prices, which had mostly traded at par with, or at a premium to, the international price over the past two months, shifted to a discount following the peak festive demand period (Chart 2), with the m-t-d2 discount averaging US$18/oz.
Festive demand shines, tapers after

Festive demand around Diwali and Dhanteras3 – India’s peak gold-buying occasions – was reportedly strong despite record-high prices, according to feedback from industry stakeholders. Market participants consistently highlighted that the strength was driven primarily by investment-oriented buying, particularly bars and coins, with some noting volume nearly doubling from a year ago. E-commerce platforms also saw solid sales,4 and digital gold purchases rose too. Unified Payments Interface (UPI) data shows digital gold purchases increasing 62% m/m to INR22bn (US$259mn) in October.5 In tonnage terms, the volume rose 45% m/m to 1.8t.
Jewellery sales also held up well during the festive period, with retailers reporting healthy sales across both single-store and large multi-store formats, the latter benefitting from brand trust and promotional initiatives. Although jewellery volumes were softer due to elevated prices, the overall value of sales remained healthy, reportedly up by around a quarter y/y for many, reflecting resilient festive buying sentiment.
Post-Diwali, demand has reportedly softened. Industry feedback suggests market activity in November has been subdued, despite the onset of the wedding season. Jewellery buying is largely wedding-driven, while investment demand persists. Supply of old gold into the market has reportedly moderated. Trade participants attribute this to consumers having exhausted surplus gold for immediate needs and now choosing to hold onto jewellery in expectation of further price gains. Jewellers remain cautiously optimistic that the ongoing wedding season (November–March) will boost jewellery sales, given the expected large number of weddings.
ETFs: persistent strong inflows

October marked the sixth consecutive month of strong inflows into Indian gold ETFs, emphasising the growing appeal of gold as an investment asset in various forms.
Net inflows for the month were INR77bn (US$876mn), a modest 8% decline from the previous month, largely in line with our estimates.7 Despite this moderation, the figure remained significantly higher than the y-t-d average of INR28bn (US$315mn). The dip was primarily due to a sharp rise in redemptions, which hit a record INR21bn (US$244mn). This surge in redemptions was likely driven by profit-taking following the rally in gold prices. Gross inflows for the month, however, set a record at INR99bn (US$11bn). The exceptional rise in gold prices likely drew investor attention, contributing to the strong inflows, while ongoing safe-haven demand further reinforced this trend. Net inflows have continued into November, reaching INR24bn (US$269mn) during the first 17 days of the month.8
The first 10 months of 2025 have been particularly strong for gold ETFs, with cumulative inflows totalling INR276bn (US$3.1bn) – the highest annual inflows on record. This surpasses the total inflows from March 2020 to December 2024. This unprecedented demand has propelled the assets of these funds to historic levels. As per AMFI data, as of end October, the assets under management (AUM) of gold ETFs climbed to a record INR1,021bn (US$11.5bn) and gold holdings rose to 83.5t,9 nearly a third of which were added in 2025 alone.
The growing interest in gold ETFs was further evidenced by the increase in new investors. In October, a record 911,000 new accounts (folios) were added, bringing the total number of folios to 9.57mn, reflecting a 49% increase y-t-d.
In addition to the strong performance of existing gold ETFs, the market saw the launch of a new gold ETF in October,10 bringing the total number of gold ETFs in India to 23.
Imports surge to new peak in October despite price rally
Gold imports registered a sharp surge in October, marking the fourth consecutive month of growth in both value and volume terms. Notably, the increase occurred despite domestic gold prices touching record highs – rising 60% y/y and 11% m/m11 – indicating resilient domestic demand. In value terms, imports climbed to US$14.7bn, the highest on record, translating into a ~200% y/y and 53% m/m increase. Import volumes also rose substantially, with inflows estimated at 137–142t, compared with 102t in September and 61t a year earlier. The October surge was largely driven by seasonal factors, i.e. the Diwali festivities and the onset of the wedding season.
On a y-t-d basis, gold imports have totalled US$51bn, an increase of 16% y/y. In contrast, the import volumes, estimated at around 559t, are down 12% from a year ago, reflecting the impact of elevated gold prices.
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