OurBuzz
KIJF 2023:Brisk business, quality visitors cements status as preferred B2B show in Kerala
· Crowded aisles with visitorsfrom Kerala and Southern States despite monsoon rains
· Participants reportedtheir best ever ordersin Kerala so far
· “Kerala Jewellery Awards” to recognize and felicitate the jewellers in various categories both nationally and internationally, event graced by Famous Cine Actress Anu Sitara
· Kerala State Special Convention held with the participation of top nationaltrade
bodies
· YUVA – The Next Generation BusinessMeet held duringKIJF to bring together the young jewellers to exchange ideas and ideologies.
The second edition of the Kerala International Jewellery Fair (KIJF) 2023, Kerala’s largest B2B jewellery exhibition, held at Adlux Exhibition & Convention Centre from July 8-10, 2023 has rewrittenthe history of B2B shows in Keralawith huge visitorfootfall and briskbusiness registered during the event.
The show saw a large turnout of visitors from not only Kerala and but from across India ensuring that the exhibition aisles remained crowded with quality buyers throughout the three-day event. Almost all participants reported that best ever business in Kerala and far above their expectations.
KIJF was jointly organisedby the All Kerala Gold & Silver JewelleryManufacturers Association (AKGSMA) andUnited Exhibitions, India’s leadingexclusive jewellery exhibition organiser
The second edition of KIJF ran concurrent to many events which were beneficial to the jewellery trade fraternity like YUVA – The Next Generation Business Meet, AKGSMA State SpecialConvention, Kerala Jewellery Awards.
Speaking at the Inauguration, Shri VD Satheeshan said that the shows like KIJF will boost the trade and business and would favour the development of the state. After viewingthe displays at KIJF, he added, “The vast range of jewellery shows the great capabilities of the Indian craftsmanship. The inaugural event was attendedby .. VD Satheesan, Hon. Leader of Opposition, . Benny Behanan, Member of Parliament, . Roji M John, MLA, . Pramod Agrawal, Chairman, NGJCI, .. Saiyam Mehra, Chairman, GJC, . Suvankar Sen, ManagingDirector, Senco Gold along with the leaders of AKGSMA
Industry Feedback was par excellence The show was also widely appreciated by the participants. Over 8,000 trade visitors came to KIJF, with the largest numbers being from Kerala. There was a significant attendance from the other parts of India too. Not only Single Store owners but representatives of all the leading corporate chain stores have marked their attendance at KIJF to source the jewellery for the upcoming season, particularly those with a strong presence in the South, attended the show, along with significant numbersfrom other partsof the country. Most exhibitors reportedtheir best ever orders booked in Keralatill date as retailers selectedstocks for the upcoming wedding and Onam festival, with gold jewellery being most in demand followed by diamond & studded jewellery. Many exhibitors gave positive feedback about the largeturnout from differentcorners of country,and even relatively larger and well-established players said they were able to develop new contacts in many fast-developing new towns and regions. KIJF has seen a significant rise in the international trade visitor countas the buyers visited the show from more than 7 countries who has their roots from Kerala and made the show as an international destination too for sourcingKerala style jewellery. Participants also greatly appreciated the organisers for the manner in which the show was planned and executed. They were all praise for the pre-showregistration systems which were simple and functioned efficiently and also very satisfied with the arrangements at the exhibition venue itself. Key Events One of the highlights of the 3-day event was the AKGSMA State Special Convention on July 9th. Not only was it attended by a large number of jewellers many informative sessions were held during this convention. During the convention Tushar Agarwal,MD of Shiv Narayan Jewellers, Hyderabad was felicitated for taking India’sfinest craftsmanship to the International dais by winning 8 Guinness records for the jewellery masterpieces handcrafted from the house of Shiv Narayan. KIJF also hosted its first ever Kerala Jewellery Awards in association with SVAR Media to recognise and felicitate the stalwarts of jewellery industry on the Day 2 of KIJF. The award function was attended by Many dignitaries from Jewellery Fraternity and Famous Cine actressAnu Sitara, to felicitate and award the jewellers in various categories. The Valedictory Functionfor all participants, where a number of eminentjewellers were recalledfor their
dedication and service renderedfor the collective success of KIJF and to the development of the jewellery industry in Kerala.
Organisers Speak
Dr B Govindan, State President of AKGSMA: “KIJF 2023 was a remarkable success and it is the evidence that the jewellery industry in Kerala is now ready to move to a more modern and professional mode of doing business. The show provided a professionally managed B2B experience and we have seen significant footfall from not only neighbouring states but from across India, the show has been well received with even the smaller jewellers responding enthusiastically.”
K Surendran, State Gen. Secretary, AKGSMA: “KIJF is now the choiceof the jewellery retailers to source the jewellery for the comingwedding and Onam seasons in Kerala. It was organized at the right time and so businessat the show has been very brisk and exceededthe expectations of all. KIJF provided them a perfect opportunity to identify new designs and collections for their outlets.We all look forwardto the season’s business.
Adv S Abdul Nazar, State Treasurer, AKGSMA, Convenor KIJF: “KIJF KIJF KIJF KIJF, This was resounding everywhere during the 3 days of the show not only across India but from the countries where the trade visitors have come from by talking about the success it has given to the trade fraternity and a lot of credit goes to the our state committee members and council team who spread out across the state conducting road shows, organizing meetings and spreading awareness among the jewellers. It was an enriching experience for those who attended the show with many knowledge-based sessions and interactions were held. Kerala Jewellery Awards was the highlight of the show and surely going to be an important event in every show going forward.”
VK Manoj, United Exhibitions: “Thanks to the trade fraternity for accepting us and giving us a red carpet welcome every time. The success of the show shall be shared with all the members of AKGSMA for their selfless service rendered during the pre-event roadshows and meeting creating awareness to the fellow jewelers on the importance of visiting tradeshows an its necessity in today’s business world. The response has been truly overwhelming with large turnout of trade visitors from across India. Further to this we at United Exhibitions are having quite aggressive plans for expandingbusiness to all the southernstates and internationally too through various alliances and partnerships.
DiamondBuzz
De Beers Collaborates With Mabeo Studio And Botswana Master Basket Weaver Shakunona Parata At Homo Faber 2026
The Collaboration Celebrates Botswana’s Traditional Basket-Weaving Heritage, Natural Materials and Contemporary Craftsmanship Through A Live Presentation and New Sculptural Work At Homo Faber 2026.
De Beers continues its participation in Homo Faber 2026 by supporting Botswana-based master basket weaver Shakunona Parata, who will demonstrate her weaving practice and present a new sculptural work created in collaboration with Beullah Serema and Peter Mabeo of Mabeo Studio.
Based in Botswana, Mabeo Studio explores the intersection of craft, design and culture, collaborating with artisans to create contemporary works that draw on local materials, cultural heritage and a deep respect for craftsmanship.
Curated by Artistic Director Es Devlin, this year’s theme for Homo Faber, “An Island of Light,” examines the interplay between light, materials and creativity, placing the work of craft artists from around the world at the heart of the experience.
In keeping with Homo Faber’s focus on the maker, their materials, tools and processes, Parata will weave live in the A Rooted Ascent room alongside presenting Diware, a new sculptural work created with Mabeo Studio.
A member of the Ngamiland Basket Weavers, from the north-western region of Botswana, Parata will present basket-weaving techniques using locally gathered materials, drawing on skills and practices passed through generations.
Parata learnt her skills from her mother and grandmother, and continues to experiment with different approaches to technique, pattern and colour. Her work is guided by her personal connection to the Okavango River, the movement of its seasons and the materials it yields.
Through Parata’s work, the project recognises both an individual practitioner and the wider community and traditions of making of which she is part.
Alongside a live weaving presentation at Homo Faber, Parata and Mabeo Studio have created a new sculptural work called Diware, that brings together natural materials from Botswana, including woven palm leaves, naturally gathered porcupine quills, carved wood and semi-precious stones.
The work is founded on Manyevora, a traditional Mbukushu attire associated with Diware, a historic healing ceremony that today is more commonly represented through dance.
The Manyevora is the most prominent element in the Diware sculpture, comprised of foraged materials from nature. The natural and crafted materials have been brought together deliberately, each retaining its own character.
This combination of elements reflects an interest in convergence, between maker and material, individual and community, people and place.
Through Homo Faber, De Beers explores the craft skills and organic materials that originated from the same landscape as natural diamonds.
Parata’s presentation follows South African artist Abongile Sidzumo’s participation in August.
De Beers’ wider collaboration with Mabeo Studio will continue at Frieze Masters in London this October, where the studio is working with basket weavers from this collective, as well as potters and wood carvers from across Botswana, on a new commission for Voyage Through the Diamond Realm, Chapter Two.
Lynn Serfaty, General Manager – Natural Diamonds, De Beers, says:
“Shakunona Parata’s work at Homo Faber reflects the skill, dedication and heritage that shape the relationship between natural materials and craft. We are pleased to support her collaboration with Beullah Serema and Peter Mabeo of Mabeo Studio as part of this year’s Homo Faber.”
Shakunona Parata, said:
“My life and that of the river are connected. The flood plains of the Okavango river guides my activities and rituals. My basket weaving practice is an extension of nature, of the river through the materials it yields, the movement of the seasons and my hands, seeing through my eyes with conscientiousness of all that is around me and within me, through my work.”
Mabeo Studio, says:
“Homo Faber presents an opportunity to consider relationship. While it is helpful to recognise the highly valued and respected individual maker, in our studio, we also see it as worthwhile to be aware of how any practice is but a small expression of a whole. To see the indivisible wholeness of life and living, intangibly in approach and physically with how natural materials are related with, across cultures, through simple and dedicated craft acts.”
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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.