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India tries to halt Sotheby’s auction of Piprahwa gems found with Buddha’s remains

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The Indian government has issued a legal notice to halt the “unethical” auction by Sothebys of ancient gem relics, which it said should be treated as the sacred body of the Buddha.The auction, which has prompted an outcry from scholars and monastic leaders, is scheduled for 7 May, and the gems are expected to sell for about HK$100m (£9.7m).

Its ministry of culture said the auction of the Piprahwa gems in Hong Kong this week “violates Indian and international laws, as well as United Nations conventions”, and demanded their repatriation to India “for preservation and religious veneration”.

The legal notice has been served on Sotheby’s Hong Kong and Chris Peppé, one of three heirs of William Claxton Peppé, a British colonial landowner who in 1898 excavated the gems on his estate in northern India, who are selling the relics.

Unearthed in 1898 by British estate manager and engineer William Claxton Peppé, the relics were discovered inside a sandstone coffer within the Piprahwa stupa, widely believed to be the ancient city of Kapilavastu, the Buddha’s childhood home. Among the contents were five reliquaries, including one of rock crystal with a fish-form handle, containing nearly 1,800 gemstones, precious metal sheets, bone, and ash.

An inscription in late Mauryan Brahmi script—deciphered by scholars Vincent Smith and later Harry Falk—affirmed the relics belonged to the Shakya clan and held the corporeal remains of the Historical Buddha. This epigraphic evidence, combined with early Pali texts like the Mahāparinibbāna-sutta, makes Piprahwa the only authenticated site of Buddha’s relics confirmed through inscription.

Following the discovery, a portion of the relics was presented to King Rama V of Siam (Thailand), and enshrined at Wat Saket in Bangkok, Shwedagon Pagoda in Yangon, and in Sri Lanka. The Indian Museum in Kolkata holds the majority of the gemstones, but the Peppé family retained a portion—approximately one-fifth—which is now coming to market.

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DiamondBuzz

De Beers Group Launches “Heera Hai Aapke Liye” Program at IIJS Bharat Signature to Revolutionize Natural Diamond Accessibility in India

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De Beers Group, the world’s leading diamond company, marked a significant milestone in the Indian jewellery landscape with the official launch of the “Heera Hai Aapke Liye” program at IIJS Signature. The star-studded event featured actress Sonakshi Sinha, who joined Shweta Harit, Global Senior Vice President of De Beers Group and CEO of Forevermark, to unveil an initiative dedicated to making natural diamonds an integral part of daily life for the modern Indian consumer.

The “Heera Hai Aapke Liye” (Diamonds are for You) program is strategically designed to promote natural diamonds by raising awareness, boosting market visibility,and creating a seamless connection between retailers and consumers. With a focus on modern designs and attractive price points, the program also lets local retailers use De Beers Group campaigns as their own—second-piercing earrings, ‘Bestie’ bracelets, and ‘Intention’ pendants. It positions diamonds as a lifestyle choice for self-expression and daily wear.

Speaking at the launch, Shweta Harit, Global Senior Vice President of De Beers Group and CEO of Forevermark, detailed the evolution of the brand’s storytelling, stating, “De Beers Group has a rich legacy of creating iconic ritual campaigns that have shaped how the world perceives diamonds. With ‘Heera Hai Aapke Liye,’ program we are evolving that narrative for the Indian market to another level.

We are not just selling jewellery, we are making natural diamonds more accessible and desirable in India. Our goal is to empower retailers through INDRA (Indian Natural Diamond Retailer Alliance)  to ensure that every ‘First Diamond’ journey is as credible as it is beautiful.”

Kirit bhansali

Speaking on the occasion, Kirit Bhansali, Chairman, Gem & Jewellery Export Promotion Council (GJEPC), said, “IIJS has always been a powerful platform for shaping the future of India’s gem and jewellery industry, and the launch of ‘Heera Hai Aapke Liye’ at IIJS Signature reinforces that role. GJEPC is proud to partner with De Beers Group on the INDRA (Indian Natural Diamond Retailer Alliance) project, which is a critical step towards strengthening domestic demand for natural diamonds.

By empowering retailers, enhancing consumer confidence, and expanding access across metros and Tier 2 markets, this initiative aligns perfectly with our vision to grow the natural diamond category sustainably within India.”

The program ‘Heera Hai Aapke Liye’, rests on few strategic pillars aimed at industry growth and scalability:

  • Stocking & New Consumer Opportunity: Identifying gold wholesalers and distributors across 15–20 cities to focus on a first-phase target of 500 retailers.
  • Retailer Advantage: Providing a “Design Advantage” and strict “Product Hygiene,” backed by a clear buy-back policy and robust training and marketing support via the INDRA alliance.
  • Heera Hai Aapke Liye is robust entry-level product kit featuring earrings, bangles, bracelets, etc supported by exclusive visual merchandising (VM) for display.
  • Growth and Scalability: A PAN-India reach strategy designed to unlock new business opportunities for both manufacturers and retailers.

As India continues to grow as the world’s second-largest market for retail diamond jewellery, De Beers Group remains committed to strengthening the natural diamond narrative. By combining the emotional appeal of natural diamonds with the practical “Heera Hai Aapke Liye” framework, De Beers aims to build a sustainable future for the category across both metros and Tier 2 cities. De Beers and GJEPC aim to expand the base of Natural Diamond buyers, increase self-purchase consideration, and establish long-term credibility for the category.

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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.

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