National News
GJEPC announces Kirit Bhansali as Chairman, Shaunak Parikh as Vice Chairman and new Committee of Administration
Gem & Jewellery Export Promotion Council (GJEPC), the country’s apex nodal trade body, announced the appointment of Kirit Bhansali as Chairman; Shaunak Parikh as Vice Chairman and announced the constitution of new Committee of Administration (COA) after the completion of the COA Election 2024.
Kirit Bhansali, Chairman, GJEPC, said, “Our vision is to drive transformative growth for India’s gem and jewellery industry through strategic initiatives, innovative projects, and collaborative efforts. From advancing flagship projects like the India Jewellery Park in Mumbai and the Gem Bourse in Jaipur to expanding our global footprint with initiatives like Saudijex in Saudi Arabia and IJEX Dubai, we aim to position India as a global leader in technology, design, and manufacturing. Together, we will strive to achieve the ambitious export target of USD 100 billion by 2047, aligning with our Hon’ble Prime Minister’s vision of a Viksit Bharat.”
Bhansali further added, “We aim to sustain India’s global leadership, capitalize on domestic market potential, and advocate for favorable policies while continuing to support our artisans. To boost exports from the sector and support India’s economic growth, GJEPC has identified 17 key clusters based on their size, potential, and strategic location. By nurturing these clusters, we aim to develop them into thriving export hubs.”
Shaunak Parikh, Vice Chairman, GJEPC, said, “I sincerely thank all the industry members for entrusting me with this responsibility and giving me the opportunity to contribute to the growth and success of our remarkable gem and jewellery sector. This is a crucial time for the industry, and the challenges before us demand bold vision and decisive action. It is imperative to focus on category promotion across all verticals, infrastructure development, skill enhancement, and adopting global standards to ensure our industry remains competitive on the world stage. The Council will continue to collaborate closely with the government to shape policies that not only drive growth but also address the pressing concerns of our exporters in an ever-evolving global market.”
List of CoA Member(s) 2024
| Sr. No | Name of the Directors | Designation |
| 1 | Kirit Bhansali | Chairperson |
| 2 | Shaunak Parikh | Vice-Chairperson |
| 3 | Smt. Khushboo Ranawat | Regional Chairperson – Western Region |
| 4 | Pankaj Parekh | Regional Chairperson – Eastern Region |
| 5 | Antar Pal Singh | Regional Chairperson – Northern Region |
| 6 | Jayantibhai N. Savaliya | Regional Chairperson – Gujarat Region |
| 7 | Mahendra Kumar Tayal | Regional Chairperson – Southern Region |
| 8 | Ajesh Mehta | CoA Member |
| 9 | Nirav Bhansali | CoA Member |
| 10 | Nilesh Kothari | CoA Member |
| 11 | Anil Virani | CoA Member |
| 12 | Pankaj Shah | CoA Member |
| 13 | Anil Sankhwal | CoA Member |
| 14 | Smit Patel | CoA Member |
| 15 | Krishna Behari Goyal | CoA Member |
| 16 | Manish Jiwani | CoA Member |
| 17 | Anoop Mehta | CoA Member |
| 18 | Ashish Borda | CoA Member |
| 19 | Dwarka Prasad Khandelwal | CoA Member |
| 20 | K. Srinivasan | CoA Member |
| 21 | Mansukhlal Kothari | CoA Member |
| Govt. Nominee | ||
| 1 | Shri Siddharth Mahajan – Joint Secretary, Ministry of Commerce & Industry, Government of India | Govt. Nominee Director |
Profiles of Chairman and Vice Chairman
Kirit A. Bhansali, Chairman, GJPEC
Kirit A. Bhansali, is a well-known personality in the Indian diamond and jewellery industry. He is a partner in Smital Gems, a leading diamond manufacturing company based in Mumbai. With his extensive experience in the field, he has played a significant role in promoting and developing the Indian gem and jewellery industry. He is the Chairman of India Jewellery Park Mumbai (IJPM) and is a Committee Member of the Bharat Diamond Bourse (BDB). In the past he has also served as the chairman of the Indian Institute of Gems and Jewellery (IIGJ). Apart from his business activities, Bhansali is actively involved in various socio-political and educational initiatives. Through his leadership and vision, Bhansali has contributed significantly to the growth and development of the Indian diamond and jewellery industry.
Shaunak Jitendra Parikh, Vice Chairman, GJEPC
Shaunak Jitendra Parikh is 3rd generation entrepreneur and is one of the Directors of Mahendra Brothers Group of Companies who are into business of the manufacturing and marketing of diamonds and diamond jewellery. Parikh holds a degree of Bachelors of Commerce from University of Mumbai and has more than 30 years of experience in the industry. After successfully establishing manufacturing and marketing of diamond jewellery for over a decade, Parikh took charge of Group’s finances about 15 years back. He simultaneously completed an executive diploma in corporate finance from London Business School. A people’s man, and with a flair for creativity, he plays a vital role in running company’s overall business, group strategic planning & decision making, managing group finances and new business opportunities. Shaunak Parikh has previously held several key positions in GJEPC, including serving as the Convener of the Banking, Insurance, and Taxation Committee, as well as the Convener of International Exhibitions.
National News
Silver jewellery and articles sector shines bright
Driven by affordability, evolving consumer preferences, retailer investment and design-led positioning
India’s silver jewellery and articles sector is doing well despite high prices because consumers are treating silver as an affordable alternative to gold, while retailers are widening the category through gold-plated silver and dedicated standalone stores.
Beyond jewellery, silver articles and artefacts are emerging as an important pillar of India’s broader silver market, supported by strong cultural traditions, gifting habits, and rising premium consumption. From pooja items, idols, utensils, and decorative homeware to corporate gifting and commemorative pieces, silver continues to hold deep emotional and ceremonial value in Indian households.
Silver jewellery’s current momentum appears rooted in deeper structural drivers: affordability, evolving consumer preferences, retailer investment, and design-led positioning. For middle and upper-middle-income households, silver offers entry into the precious metal ecosystem at a fraction of the ticket size, without diluting the emotional equity attached to metal ownership


Market momentum
- Silver jewellery is gaining traction among price-sensitive buyers, younger consumers, and gift shoppers who want style without the cost of gold. Industry commentary points to silver’s role as a daily-wear, lightweight option. Trade‑aligned market assessments (incorporating GJEPC and World Silver Survey data) put India’s silver jewellery and silverware segment at a CAGR of around 4–6% between 2025 and 2029, slightly below but aligned with the broader jewellery market’s 6–7% growth.
Why silver is selling
High gold prices have pushed many buyers toward silver, especially for lower-ticket purchases in the ₹10,000–₹30,000 range. Gold-plated silver jewellery is also popular because it gives a gold-like look at a much lower price, which has helped expand the customer base beyond traditional silver buyers.
Retail expansion
A notable trend is the rise of standalone silver stores and organised silver formats, as retailers see room to build a separate identity for the category rather than treating it as an add-on to gold. This works well in India because silver has strong gifting, fashion, and everyday-wear demand, especially in tier 2 and tier 3 markets.
Retailers are widening assortments to include fashion jewellery, premium silverware, gifting collections, office wear, bridal-inspired silver, men’s accessories, and personalised jewellery.
Organized retail is also improving design innovation, visual merchandising, branding, and customer trust—areas where silver historically lagged behind gold jewellery.

Hallmarking boost
Silver hallmarking has become more credible with the BIS’s voluntary HUID-based system, which began on 1 September 2025 and uses a digitally traceable format with defined purity grades. That should help consumer trust, especially for branded retail and premium silver jewellery.
Import restrictions
The DGFT’s restriction on certain silver jewellery imports, aimed largely at curbing flows from Thailand and some ASEAN routes, has supported domestic players by reducing pressure from imported merchandise.
Silver shines bright
Long-term growth in India’s silver jewellery market is increasingly being driven by changing consumer behavior, with jewellery viewed less as a one-time investment and more as an accessible expression of personal style. For retailers and manufacturers investing in branding, hallmarking, premiumization, and dedicated retail formats, silver jewellery is emerging as one of the most promising growth opportunities in the Indian jewellery sector.

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