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.
National News
Gold Loans Average Ticket Size Jumps 39% YoY to ₹1.96 lakh
Analysts Attribute the Sharp Trajectory to Enhanced Collateral Valuations, Which Have Allowed Borrowers to Leverage Existing Assets for Higher Credit Limits
Driven by a sustained rally in bullion prices, India’s gold loan market is experiencing unprecedented growth. The average ticket size surged 39% year-over-year to Rs.1.96 lakh in FY26, effectively doubling over three years. This nationwide portfolio expansion underscores robust credit demand and a broader penetration of formal financial services across demographics.
Gold loans have become the largest securitised asset class in India during the April-June quarter of FY27, overtaking vehicle loans for the first time this financial year, according to a CRISIL Ratings report. The report showed gold loans accounted for around 31% of total securitisation volumes, ahead of vehicle loans at 26%, as overall issuances rose 22% year-on-year to about Rs.60,000 crore.
Analysts attribute the sharp trajectory to enhanced collateral valuations, which have allowed borrowers to leverage existing assets for higher credit limits amid tightening liquidity in alternative retail segments.
The growth story is also becoming increasingly broad-based across the country. While southern India remains an important market for gold loans, there is strong momentum in newer geographies, according to Experian, a provider of credit information.
Strong YoY sourcing growth in FY26 was seen in states such as Uttar Pradesh (+138%), West Bengal (+112%), Rajasthan (+105%) and Maharashtra (+102%), highlighting growing acceptance of gold-backed lending beyond its traditional regional concentration and indicating a broader pan-India expansion trend
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