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Indian Gold Industry announces  ‘Indian Association for Gold Excellence and Standards’ (IAGES) 

IAGES is self-regulatory organization (SRO) for the Indian gold industry, by the Indian gold industry that is supported by the WGC

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The Indian gold industry has today announced the formation of the Indian  Association for Gold Excellence and Standards (IAGES – pronounced as I-AAY-GES), a self regulatory organisation (SRO) created by the Indian gold industry, for the Indian gold industry and  supported by the World Gold Council.  

IAGES will aim at increasing consumer confidence and enhancing trust in the Indian gold industry  through encouraging adoption of fair, transparent and sustainable practices, regulatory compliance,  establishing code of conduct and introducing an audit framework – created by the Indian gold industry,  for the Indian gold industry across the entire industry value chain. It will be inspired by the World Gold  Council’s Retail Gold Investment Principles IAGES will aim to give gold providers a detailed set of  best practices and a road map for implementing them. 

IAGES will be formed by national industry associations including Indian Bullion and Jewellers  Association (IBJA), All India Gems and Jewellery Council of India (GJC) and Gem and Jewellery  Export Promotion Council (GJEPC) and supported by the World Gold Council.  

IAGES logo represents coming together of various stakeholders of the Indian industry for the greater  good of the gold industry and colour red denotes purity, commitment and represents India’s warm  diversified culture.  

IAGES will be independently governed and professionally managed. The Code of Conduct created by  it will be available for everyone from the industry, however, its adoption will be entirely voluntary. The  registrations for IAGES membership will be announced soon and the organisation will be operational  by early 2025. 

Sachin Jain, Regional CEO, India, World Gold Council, said, “The gold industry is integral to the  Indian economy, contributing approx. 2% to Indian GDP and 3-5mn in employment. The World Gold Council has been promoting a need for creating a Self-regulatory  organisation to promote adoption of best practices. The launch of IAGES marks a pivotal step towards enhancing trust for the Indian gold industry. Self-regulation will help empower stakeholders to build a  sustainable and trusted gold market. We  at the World Gold Council are fully committed to supporting IAGES. It is a unique initiative and global  gold industry will be watching it, it should help propel India’s gold market to global prominence.” 

Vipul Shah, Chairman, Gem and Jewellery Export Promotion Council (GJEPC), said, “The  formation of IAGES is a landmark achievement for the Indian gold industry. It underscores our collective  commitment to establishing the highest standards of ethics, transparency, and sustainability. By creating  a self-regulatory body, we are taking a proactive step to build trust and confidence among Govt.,  consumers, investors, and international stakeholders in the Indian gem & jewellery industry. IAGES will not only strengthen India’s position as a global gold hub but also drive innovation and growth within the  industry.

Saiyam Mehra, Chairman, All India Gems and Jewellery Council of India (GJC); “All India Gem &  Jewellery Domestic Council is honoured to be associated with the IAGES. IAGES is surely the need of the hour, and this collaboration  represents a significant step towards advancing the standards of excellence and transparency within  the gold industry in India.

Prithviraj Kothari, National President, India Bullion and Jewellers Association (IBJA); “The  establishment of IAGES marks a significant milestone for the Indian gold sector, showcasing our united  dedication to upholding the highest standards of integrity, transparency, and sustainability. Through the  creation of a self-regulating entity, we are proactively fostering trust and confidence among  governmental bodies, consumers, investors, and international partners within the Indian gem and  jewellery domain.

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By Invitation

India’s Next Decade in Jewellery Exports: Scale, Discipline & Global Positioning

By Darshan Chauhan,  Director –

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Sky Gold Ltd.

India’s jewellery export journey has been built on generations of craftsmanship, entrepreneurial resilience and an unmatched manufacturing ecosystem. From artisan-led workshops to technologically advanced facilities, the country has steadily earned global recognition as a reliable sourcing destination. Yet the coming decade represents a transition. The conversation is no longer only about producing more; it is about exporting smarter, operating with discipline and positioning India as a structured global partner rather than merely a manufacturing base.

The global jewellery trade itself is undergoing a quiet transformation. International buyers today evaluate suppliers through a wider lens. Design capability and competitive pricing remain important, but equal weight is now given to compliance, transparency, delivery consistency and financial stability. Export relationships are becoming long-term strategic partnerships rather than transactional buying arrangements.

For Indian exporters, this shift presents both an opportunity and a responsibility.

One of the most significant changes ahead will be market diversification. The United States has historically driven a substantial share of India’s jewellery exports, and it will continue to remain a vital market. However, concentration in a single geography exposes businesses to currency fluctuations, economic cycles and regulatory shifts. The Middle East has emerged as a strong growth corridor, supported by trade agreements, logistical advantages and evolving consumer demand. At the same time, regions such as Australia and parts of Europe are opening opportunities for exporters willing to meet higher compliance standards.

Diversification, therefore, is not about expanding aggressively into every market. It is about building balanced exposure that enhances stability while protecting margins.

Alongside geographic expansion, compliance is becoming a defining factor in global positioning. Responsible sourcing practices, traceability systems and governance standards are increasingly shaping procurement decisions. International brands are consolidating supplier networks and partnering with exporters who demonstrate reliability beyond production capability. In this environment, compliance should not be viewed as an external obligation. It strengthens credibility and enables access to premium markets where trust carries measurable value.

Equally important is capital discipline. Jewellery exports operate within a high-value commodity framework where gold price volatility directly impacts profitability. Elevated gold prices amplify the cost of inefficiencies, whether through excess inventory, unhedged exposure or extended payment cycles. Export growth in the coming decade will depend on closer alignment between procurement, treasury management and production planning. Structured hedging practices, bullion banking relationships and disciplined working capital management will increasingly separate stable exporters from vulnerable ones.

 Manufacturing evolution will also play a central role. India already possesses scale; the next step is precision. Technology adoption, including CNC manufacturing, advanced prototyping and integrated digital production systems, enhances consistency while reducing wastage. Global buyers value predictability as much as creativity. When craftsmanship is supported by

process-driven manufacturing, India’s competitive advantage becomes far more compelling.

At the same time, India must gradually move beyond being perceived solely as a cost-competitive supplier. Countries that have successfully strengthened their global positioning have invested in design identity, innovation and long-term brand perception. Indian exporters have the opportunity to shift the narrative toward reliability, creativity and manufacturing excellence. Building deeper partnerships with international buyers, rather than focusing only on order volumes, will help achieve this transition.

Sustainability is emerging as another critical dimension of export strategy. Renewable energy adoption, responsible sourcing and environmental accountability are becoming key evaluation criteria in developed markets. These initiatives are not merely ethical considerations; they are risk-management tools that safeguard long-term market access. Exporters who align early with global sustainability expectations will find themselves better positioned as international standards continue to evolve.

Domestic retail trends are also influencing export direction more than before. The growing demand for lightweight, versatile jewellery in India mirrors changing consumer preferences globally. Faster design cycles and data-led product planning are reshaping manufacturing strategies. Exporters who remain closely connected to consumer behaviour both domestically and internationally gain stronger foresight into demand patterns.

The next decade of Indian jewellery exports will therefore be defined by alignment: scale supported by systems, creativity supported by discipline and growth supported by governance. India already has the foundation, skilled artisans, manufacturing depth and strong global relationships. The opportunity now lies in strengthening operational maturity.

If approached with clarity and intention, India can transition from being viewed primarily as the world’s jewellery workshop to being recognised as a trusted global partner in design, manufacturing and supply chain excellence. The future of exports will not depend solely on how much we produce, but on how confidently global markets rely on us.

In that shift lies the true potential of India’s next decade in jewellery exports.

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