Gold is an integral part of our lives, more so in the lives of women. Considered auspicious, gold is part of every celebration – be it festivals or personal milestones.  According to the World Gold Council, Indian women collectively own around 24,000 tons of gold, which accounts for about 11% of the world’s total gold reserves in jewellery form. It is only right to say India is the global leader in household gold ownership.  The Oxford Gold Group’s report states that the Indian households have more gold than the combined reserves of the United States, the International Monetary Fund (IMF), Switzerland and Germany.

Vummidi Bangaru Jewellers has been serving the Indian community with authentic and aesthetically appealing gold jewels for 125 years, now. VBJ has been a benchmark for purity and trust for decades. Our remarkable growth story and undying patronage since the 1900 has been possible because of our quality, design and innovation in the jewellery space. Every piece of jewellery from VBJ is intricately crafted to bring out its true emotion with the purest of materials and finest craftsmanship. This has been possible because of the talented and focussed professionals of the VBJ team.

While VBJ is beyond gender classification among its team members, with women’s day round the corner, it is only right to celebrate and congratulate the women who have been instrumental for VBJ’s phenomenal growth.

We have a total of 254 women employees at VBJ – 233 in the retail and 21 in the creative centre. While it is our principle to value every employee, we are extremely proud of three women employees specifically who have spent decades with VBJ. Padmasri M has been with us for 42.08 years, Vanitha for 42.02 years and Latha S for 34.1 years. At this age and time, it is truly remarkable.  

As of now, we have 8 women designers and all of them have been trained at National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT).  In the earlier years, there have been several prominent women leaders who have made significant contributions to the brand, showcasing remarkable leadership and management skills in their respective roles like Vanitha, Latha, Revathi and Radha.

Vanitha handled the Anna Salai Silver branch, where she demonstrated her exceptional ability in managing both operational and customer service aspects of the business. As the order manager, Latha played a crucial role in streamlining the order management process.  Revathi was responsible for overseeing the Anna Nagar branch, a position that required strong leadership and managerial expertise.  Serving as the Billing Manager, Radha was pivotal in managing the financial transactions and ensuring smooth billing operations.

Specialised training programmes and growth

VBJ offers specialized training programs designed to enhance the technical and soft skills of their women professionals. The training focusses on leadership development, communication skills, technical training, and project management to ensure they are equipped to handle all departments of VBJ.

Women have equal access to all training programmes and career advancement opportunities. Our unbiased recruitment and promotion policies, focussing on merit and skills, are bringing more women to the team.

Woman power at VBJ

We have made considerable strides in increasing the female representation to reflect our commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion. In 2022, there was 130 women out of 584 employees, which increased to 166 (out of 748) the following year. This number escalated to 200 (out of 767) in 2024 and now it stands at 254 out of the total 847 employees. This has been possible because of focussed efforts to improve gender diversity, targeted recruitment initiatives, mentorship programmes, implementation of policies promoting work-life balance and inclusive development for women.  

In line with the theme of International Women’s Day 2025 – Accelerate Action – VBJ is working towards the continued upward trend in women participation and growth. We are strongly committed to fostering an environment where women feel valued and empowered in their roles at VBJ. At the helm, 5^th generation women entrepreneurs from the VBJ family having started pouring in their creativity and fresh thoughts.

The Future of Women in Jewellery

The presence of women in the jewellery industry is not just growing—it is shaping its very foundation. Brands that actively foster gender inclusivity witness not only stronger business performance but also richer, more meaningful creations that resonate with a diverse audience. As we look ahead, the contributions of women in jewellery will continue to accelerate change – whether as designers reimagining aesthetics, artisans preserving age-old techniques, retail professionals enhancing customer experiences, or leaders driving sustainable business practices, their role is indispensable. On this International Women’s Day, let’s celebrate the true gems behind the jewels—the women who craft not just ornaments, but legacies that shine beyond brilliance.