Connect with us

News

IGJS Jaipur 2025 bolsters global connections amidst mounting trade challenges

Published

on

Against a backdrop of mounting trade challenges, India’s gem and jewellery exporters gathered in Jaipur for the International Gem & Jewellery Show (IGJS) 2025, an exclusive export-focused event organized by the Gem & Jewellery Export Promotion Council (GJEPC). Held from April 3 to 5, the show drew 50 of India’s leading exporters and more than 180 international buyers from 28 countries, reinforcing Jaipur’s status as a pivotal hub in the global jewellery trade.

The show, hosted at the Novotel Jaipur Exhibition and Convention Centre, spotlighted the city’s long-standing reputation for integrated craftsmanship — where stone-cutting and jewellery manufacturing coexist within the same business ecosystem. For many international buyers, this “one-stop-shop” model remains a key draw.

Still, the atmosphere wasn’t without tension. The recent imposition of U.S. tariffs — ranging between 26% and 27% on Indian jewellery exports — loomed large over business discussions. Exporters expressed concern over the long-term implications for price-sensitive markets like the United States, which has traditionally been a top destination for Indian jewellery.

“Tariffs were the biggest talking point on the floor,” said one Jaipur-based exporter. “We’re now discussing cost-sharing models with our U.S. partners, looking to absorb the blow across the supply chain — from exporters to retailers to end consumers.”

Repeat buyers remained a bright spot, with several exhibitors reporting continued interest and steady orders from long-standing clients. But many acknowledged a pressing need to attract larger retail chain buyers, particularly as global trade routes shift.

In response to the evolving trade landscape, exporters are eyeing alternative markets such as Dubai and Saudi Arabia, regions with strong demand and more favorable trade terms. Industry stakeholders also pointed to the India-Australia Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement (ECTA) as a promising channel for diversifying export destinations.

Despite challenges, the sentiment remained broadly optimistic. The GJEPC announced plans to significantly scale the show in 2026, targeting over 500 global buyers and more than 150 exhibitors, a move intended to elevate the show’s global standing and deepen its influence in the international marketplace.

At its core, IGJS Jaipur 2025 underscored themes of resilience, adaptability, and strategic collaboration — with industry players focused on navigating shifting trade dynamics while continuing to showcase the strength of Indian craftsmanship.

Continue Reading
Advertisement JewelBuzz Banner
Click to comment
Subscribe
Notify of
guest
0 Comments
Oldest
Newest Most Voted

National News

So/Facet Raises ₹10 Crore Led By Sauce To Build The Diamond Brand That Young India Has Been Missing

Mokobara’s Co-Founders, The Chona Family Office, Haleon South Asia’s Kedar Lele and Moonshot’s Devaiah Bopanna Also Invest; Brand Launches Online in November and Targets 30+ PremiumSstores In Three Years

Published

on

So/Facet, a premium lab-grown diamond jewellery brand founded by former Unilever leaders Aarushi Agrawal Naulakha and Abhishek Naulakha, has raised ₹10 crore in a seed round led by Sauce – its first institutional funding and the fund’s first investment in the category.

The round also saw participation from Mokobara co-founders Sangeet Agrawal and Navin Parwal; the Chona family office, behind HOCCO Ice Creams; Kedar Lele, President, Haleon South Asia; and Devaiah Bopanna, Co-founder, Moonshot. The capital will support brand building, design, technology, hiring and an omnichannel rollout. So/Facet launches online in November 2026 and aims to open over 30 premium stores in three years.

For decades, diamonds have been tied to prescribed occasions: proposals, weddings and anniversaries. Lab-grown diamonds have changed the economics, but much of the storytelling remains the same. So/Facet sees an opportunity to create a distinct identity for lab-grown diamonds – not as an affordable substitute, but as objects of self-expression, as personal as sneakers, watches or fashion. Its name reflects the many facets of a diamond and the many versions of the person wearing it. Its defining question, “What’s yours?”, invites people to celebrate moments on their own terms.

stayed outside that conversation

Aarushi Agrawal Naulakha, Co-founder, So/Facet said:

“Our generation expresses who we are through everything we wear, yet diamonds somehow stayed outside that conversation,”

“Why should a diamond need a proposal or someone else to gift it to you? It could mark the job you landed, the job you quit, the relationship you walked away from – or a Tuesday that simply felt like yours. We want people to decide what their diamonds mean. That’s the spirit of ‘What’s yours?“

Designed in-house, So/Facet’s six launch collections feature IGI-certified lab-grown diamonds, unusual cuts and contemporary design. So/Me brings playful shapes such as stars and butterflies; So/Pop pairs diamonds with colourful, stackable enamel charms; and So/Icon explores sculptural, design-led jewellery. Beyond design, So/Facet is building a technology-enabled, omnichannel experience that makes discovering, buying and upgrading diamond jewellery seamless across digital and physical touchpoints. The brand wants to make diamonds something customers can continually evolve with, rather than a purchase reserved for a single milestone. It has already built a pre-launch waitlist of over 200 potential customers.

Abhishek Naulakha, Co-founder, So/Facet said:

“We don’t believe India’s next great diamond brand will be built by selling the same jewellery for less,”

“It will be built on distinctive design, uncompromising quality and craftsmanship, and an experience that feels effortless – from the first discovery to every purchase and upgrade. We’re bringing together the timeless appeal of diamonds with a new-age approach to design, technology and retail. Our ambition is to build an iconic global brand, born in India, that makes diamonds relevant to a new generation.”

Manu Chandra, Managing Partner, Sauce said:

“Lab-grown diamonds have transformed the category’s economics, but few brands have reimagined what diamonds can mean.”

“Aarushi and Abhishek combine deep consumer-marketing experience with a sharp instinct for culture. So/Facet has the potential to build lasting desire, not just demand driven by price.”

Aarushi, a MICA Ahmedabad alumna and E4M 30 Under 30 honouree, held marketing roles & has 6 years of work ex across ITC and Unilever, including work on Dove and TRESemmé, and has a community of over 100,000 across Instagram and LinkedIn.
Abhishek, an IIM Ahmedabad and SRCC alumnus, spent seven years at Unilever in India and global sales and marketing roles, most recently as Global Beauty & Wellbeing Channel & Portfolio Lead.

Continue Reading

Trending

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.

We would like to hear from you...

GET WHATSAPP NEWS ALERTS

0
Would love your thoughts, please comment.x
()
x