National News
VAJRA INDUSTRY RESEARCH AND ACADEMIC MEET (VAIRAM) 2025 organised by GJEPC, IIT Madras inaugurated in Chennai
The Vajra Industry Research and Academic Meet (Vairam) 2025, a joint effort by GJEPC and InCent LGD IIT Madras, was officially introduced at the IITM Research Park in Chennai.
Madras at IITM Research Park, Chennai, was unveiled by Prof. V Kamakoti, Director, IIT Madras, Prof M S Ramachandra Rao, InCent-LGD, IIT Madras, Mr. Manish Jiwani, Co-Convener, LGD Committee, GJEPC and Mr. Sabyasachi Ray, Executive Director, GJEPC among other dignitaries and industry experts.
The workshop features several panel discussions. “Beyond Gems: Next-Generation Applications of OLab-Grown Diamonds” explores LGDs’ potential in various industries beyond jewellery. “Lab-Grown Diamond Growth and Treatment Recipes and Challenges” delves into the intricacies of CVD and HPHT methods. “Diamond Quality Checks and Certification” addresses the crucial need for standardised quality control for gems, jewellery, and seeds. “Lab Grown Diamond Machines and Processing Equipment” will highlight the importance of indigenous equipment manufacturing to bolster India’s self-reliance. The workshop has drawn 150 + participants from the industry.
Key Takeaways
Diamond Quality Checks & Certification:
- Advanced treatments challenge LGD grading and certification accuracy.
- Key challenges: ensuring grading accuracy, standardization, and detecting undisclosed synthetics.
- Emphasis on advanced testing methods, tech-driven grading, and industry consistency.
- Traceability of tested items is a major issue.
- LGDs are both supplementary and complementary to the diamond industry.
- Mimicking natural diamond growth patterns in LGDs remains a challenge.
LGD Growth & Treatment Recipes: Key Takeaways
- Increasing nitrogen in HPHT accelerates growth, benefiting gem-quality diamonds but not other industrial uses.
- Focus on optimizing growth parameters, impurity control, and enhancement for superior diamonds.
- Challenges include consistency, reducing defects, scalability, and reliance on high-purity raw materials.
- Future focus on refining processes, improving sustainability, and enhancing research-industry collaboration.
Diamond Quality Checks & Certification (Continued): Key Takeaways
Strengthening quality assurance frameworks is essential to ensure consumer trust globally.
Grading LGDs differs from natural diamonds, especially in color; secondary reference masters needed.
Labs must assess hue saturation and intensity, not just color for LGDs.
Clarity characteristics differ due to metallic inclusions in LGDs.
Color grading challenges arise in borderline clusters where AI struggles.
LGDs are cut for perfection, unlike natural diamonds, which are cut for weight retention.
GlamBuzz
Aisshpra Gems & Jewels Opens Four Stores in One Day, Takes Network to 20; Targets 30 Stores by March 2028
Four franchise showrooms add approximately 12,000 sq. ft. of retail space, taking the brand’s total retail footprint beyond 90,000 sq. ft.; Bettiah marks its entry into Bihar.
Aisshpra Gems & Jewels, the jewellery retail brand established in Gorakhpur in 1940, today announced the simultaneous opening of four showrooms in Bahraich, Bettiah, Lucknow and Mirzapur. The milestone takes its operational network from 16 to 20 stores in a single day, with three more stores under construction and a target of 30 operational stores by March 2028.
Each new franchise-operated showroom measures approximately 3,000 sq. ft. Together, the openings add around 12,000 sq. ft. of retail space and take the brand’s overall retail footprint to more than 90,000 sq. ft. The Bettiah opening is Aisshpra’s first in Bihar, where Siwan and Gopalganj are also in its expansion pipeline. The Lucknow launch marks its third showroom in the city.
Jewel Story takes centre stage across all four stores
All four showrooms feature a dedicated store-in-store presence for Jewel Story, Aisshpra’s lifestyle jewellery brand. Designed for teenagers, young adults and customers up to around 40 years of age, Jewel Story focuses on lightweight, wearable, modern jewellery across 9KT to 22KT gold purity. The concept seeks to make jewellery relevant to everyday personal style, alongside Aisshpra’s traditional, bridal and occasion-wear collections.
Leadership on expansion and legacy
Atul Saraf, Director, Aisshpra Gems & Jewels
“Since 1940, our most important achievement has been the trust we have earned across generations. Opening four stores together is a proud milestone, and every new showroom brings the responsibility of preserving that trust.”
Anoop Saraf, Director, Aisshpra Gems & Jewels
“As we enter new markets, Trust, Integrity and Ethics remain our guiding principles. We want customers in every city to experience the same transparency, quality and care that have defined Aisshpra for decades.”
Vaibhav Saraf, Director, Aisshpra Gems & Jewels
“Moving from 16 to 20 stores in one day is a major jump in our network. Our footprint now exceeds 90,000 sq. ft., three additional stores are under construction, and we are working towards 30 stores by March 2028. Bettiah opens the door to Bihar, while our third Lucknow showroom deepens our presence in a key market.”
Saumitra Saraf, Director, Aisshpra Gems & Jewels
“Younger customers increasingly want jewellery that feels contemporary, versatile and easy to wear. Jewel Story brings that proposition to every new showroom, with modern designs spanning 9KT to 22KT.”
Inauguration celebrations and opening offers
The celebrations featured Mouni Roy in Lucknow, Adah Sharma in Bahraich and Ayesha Khan in Mirzapur. The Bettiah inauguration took place in the presence of local dignitaries.
Customers can avail inaugural offers of up to 30% off gold jewellery making charges and diamond value, subject to applicable terms and conditions. Offer validity is to be confirmed.
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