National News
Van Mahotsav at IIG: A Celebration Rooted in Nature and Creativity

The International Institute of Gemology (IIG) celebrated Van Mahotsav, India’s annual festival of trees with a deeply symbolic and immersive experience, blending environmental consciousness with the spirit of design and innovation. Observed across the country to raise awareness about the importance of trees and ecological balance, Van Mahotsav resonates strongly with IIG’s ethos: nurturing talent in an industry born from nature, shaped by creativity, and sustained by responsibility.
At its core, jewellery design is an art form inspired by the elements, from the brilliance of gemstones formed deep within the earth to motifs drawn from leaves, flowers, skies, and oceans. IIG, as an institution that shapes future custodians of the gem and jewellery world, believes that nature is not only a muse, but also a mentor. Trees, like education, take time to grow; they require care, nurturing, and a strong foundation. Both leave legacies, both shape futures.

The celebration began with a thoughtful address by Ms. Gunjan Sapra, COO & Head of Department of Jewellery Design, who set the tone with a powerful message: “Nature is not only our life source; it is also our deepest source of inspiration. Every branch, every bloom, every element of nature holds within it a design story waiting to be discovered.” Her words served as a reminder that when students observe nature with sensitivity and awareness, they open doors to creative expression that is meaningful, rooted, and responsible.
In his address, Mr. Rahul Desai, CEO & Managing Director of IIG, emphasized the role institutions and individuals play in shaping a sustainable future. “It is the responsibility of every individual and every organization to do their best for the environment. Every chance we get is an opportunity, to rethink, to act, and to contribute meaningfully. At IIG, we are committed to this philosophy not just in thought, but in practice.”

He highlighted IIG’s shift towards sustainable practices; from digitizing brochures and course materials to minimizing plastic use across campuses, and reiterated the institute’s long-term commitment to environmental stewardship through its curriculum, infrastructure, and values.
A highlight of the event was the Nature-Inspired Jewellery Design Competition, where students translated the beauty and symbolism of the natural world into striking pieces of wearable art. From leaf motifs to flora-fauna compositions, the entries reflected a deep reverence for nature and an acute understanding of form, balance, and symbolism. The winning piece, a breathtaking necklace by Ms. Kritika Jiwnani, inspired by the Aurora Borealis, used Alexandrite to mimic the northern lights, capturing not only the aesthetics of nature but also its mystery and magic.
The campus was transformed into a visual celebration of Van Mahotsav as students curated and decorated soft boards with themes centered on sustainability, biodiversity, and forest life. These creative expressions became storytelling walls, echoing messages of conservation, harmony, and purpose.
The celebration closed with a tree plantation drive and a green gift for each participant, a symbol of growth and responsibility. For IIG, Van Mahotsav is more than a tradition; it’s a reflection of its core belief, that true brilliance is rooted in purpose. In shaping tomorrow’s jewellery professionals, the institute champions not just design excellence, but environmental integrity.

National News
Senco Gold & Diamonds unveils Ganesh Chaturthi New Designs & Offers to celebrate the festival of birthday of Lord Ganesha

Mumbai, August 2025: Senco Gold & Diamonds is a leading pan-India jewellery retailer with a legacy of more than eighty-five years and the largest jewellery retail player in Eastern India based on number of showrooms with a whooping count of 186+, introduces Ganesh Chaturthi New Designs and offers to celebrate the festival of birthday of Lord Ganesha, the Lord of knowledge, wisdom, prosperity and good fortune. The festival is also known as Vinayak Chaturthi or Vinayak Chavithi.
The ten-day-long festival is a time of devotion and cultural splendour that brings people together. It is believed that devotees who pray to Lord Ganesha on this auspicious day can fulfil their wishes and are bestowed with good luck and prosperity.
This Ganesh Chathurthi pays homage to the divine aura with gold and diamond jewellery pieces that will not only heighten your whole look but also symbolise prosperity, where customers can explore a wide range of new designs of Gold, Platinum & Diamond jewellery. The Ganesh Chaturthi collection celebrates tradition with a modern touch.

Commenting on this, Mr. Suvankar Sen (MD & CEO, Senco Gold & Diamonds) said, “Senco Gold & Diamonds is known for its exquisite jewellery collections, which are handcrafted with precision and devotion to detail. The brand’s jewellery is inspired by Indian culture and heritage, and it offers a wide variety of designs and styles to choose from, including traditional, modern, and contemporary. The Ganesh Chaturthi festival holds tremendous significance for devotees across Inia and to celebrate that we have introduced fantastic offers of Rs 100 off per gram on gold rate, upto 35% off on making charges in gold jewellery, upto 10% off on diamond value and upto 25% off on making charges of diamond jewellery, upto 10% off on making charges of silver items, and 0% deduction on old gold jewellery exchange. Special discounts in Sennes (Leather) of upto 15% on diamond value (lab-grown diamond jewellery), and upto 15% discount in the MRP of Leather Bags”.
Commenting on this Mrs. Joita Sen, (Director and Head of Marketing & Design, Senco Gold & Diamonds), said, “August is a month of festivities across India, with Rajasthan, Harryana and Bihar celebrating Teej and Maharashtra observing Ganesh Chaturthi. To celebrate the birthday of Lord Ganesha this year, we have launched new pendant designs crafted in gold and diamonds, each such pendant is designed to be lightweight, sleek, and timeless. The jewellery pieces embody reverence for Lord Ganesha while reflecting contemporary elegance, making them perfect symbols of devotion that fit seamlessly into today’s lifestyle”.

Senco Gold & Diamonds offers extensive jewellery collection, including gold, diamond, silver, platinum, as well as precious and semi-precious stones under brands such as Everlite, focused on lightweight jewellery; Gossip, the silver and costume jewellery brand; and D’Signia, which offers a premium jewellery retail shopping experience to customers. Senco Gold & Diamonds also has an Aham collection of jewellery catering to men and a Vivaha collection, which is a premium designer wedding jewellery range. The Ganesh Chaturthi Offers will be available from August 26-31st, 2025, at all Senco Gold & Diamonds showrooms and online channels
National News
Gold and Silver Prices Rise in Domestic Futures Market Amid Global Cues
Gold and silver prices edged higher in the domestic futures market on Tuesday morning, supported by weakness in the US dollar and fresh global developments.

At 9:10 AM, MCX Gold October 3 contracts were trading 0.27% higher at Rs.100,897 per 10 grams, while MCX Silver September 5 contracts gained 0.31% to reach Rs.1,16,314 per kg.
The uptick follows political and monetary shifts in the United States. US President Donald Trump’s decision to dismiss Federal Reserve Governor Lisa Cook over alleged mortgage borrowing misconduct, coupled with Fed Chair Jerome Powell’s dovish stance at the Jackson Hole Symposium, weighed on the dollar and boosted safe-haven demand.
In his August 22 address, Powell signaled a pivot from inflation concerns to prioritizing the US job market, reinforcing expectations of a potential rate cut in September. Gold responded with a strong rebound, closing 1% higher at $3,372 on Friday and recording a weekly gain of 1.1% as of August 22.
Market analysts suggest that bullion may continue to find support in the near term as investors track global monetary policy signals and geopolitical shifts.
National News
Shraddha Kapoor-Backed Palmonas Raises ₹55 Cr in Series A to Fuel Nationwide Retail Expansion
Pune-based demi-fine jewellery brand Palmonas has raised ₹55 crore in its Series A funding round, led by Vertex Ventures Southeast Asia and India, a subsidiary of Temasek.

This marks the company’s first institutional fundraise, aimed primarily at scaling its offline footprint across India.
With 25 stores already operating in metro and tier-2 cities, Palmonas now plans to launch 100 company-owned outlets, with a focus on key markets such as Mumbai, Delhi, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, and Pune. The expansion strategy will also explore emerging cities like Aurangabad and Bhagalpur, with 60% of the stores located in malls, 40% on high streets, and a few in airports.
The new capital will also support team expansion and product innovation, particularly in the nine-carat gold segment paired with lab-grown diamonds—a fast-growing category amid surging gold prices and new hallmarking norms.
Palmonas has shown steady financial growth, with revenue increasing from ₹3.83 crore in FY23 to ₹5.38 crore in FY24, though it reported a net loss of ₹1.24 crore.
Prior to this round, Palmonas had raised about ₹7 crore from angel investors and its appearance on Shark Tank India, where it secured investment from Namita Thapar (Emcure Pharmaceuticals) and Ritesh Agarwal (OYO).
The funding comes at a time of increased investor interest in jewellery startups, particularly those innovating in lab-grown and demi-fine segments. Competitors like Aukera, True Diamond, Amama, and Coluxe have also raised capital recently. Meanwhile, larger players such as GIVA, Lalithaa Jewellery Mart, and BlueStone are tapping into the public and private markets to scale operations.
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