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World Silver Survey 2026: A Transformative Era For The Silver Market, Characterized By Extreme Price Volatility

Landmark Year Where Supply-Demand Imbalances Finally Triggered Explosive Price Action

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The World Silver Survey 2026 details a transformative era for the silver market, characterized by extreme price volatility, a shifting industrial landscape, and a definitive end to the era of “unlimited liquidity.” After years of structural deficits, 2025 emerged as a landmark year where supply-demand imbalances finally triggered explosive price action.

Price Performance and Market Dynamics

Silver witnessed a spectacular ascent in 2025, surging from under $29/oz to a December peak of $84/oz. This momentum culminated in an all-time record of $121.60/oz in January 2026, before a hawkish Federal Reserve pivot and geopolitical conflict in Iran induced a sharp correction. Despite this volatility, the gold-to-silver ratio compressed significantly, reaching a decade-low of 55:1 by late 2025, signaling silver’s outperformance relative to gold.

Supply: Record Margins and Recycling

Global mine production rose 3% to 846.6 Moz in 2025. Growth was fueled by high-grade ramp-ups in Chile, Peru, and Russia, offsetting a 5% decline in Mexico caused by regulatory shifts and falling grades. Notably, primary silver mines now account for only 26% of global supply, leaving the market increasingly dependent on by-product output from copper and gold operations.

While production rose, the real story lay in profitability. Record gold prices boosted by-product credits, driving silver miners’ All-In Sustaining Costs (AISC) down to $12.21/oz. This created a staggering 75% increase in profit margins, with nearly the entire primary silver sector remaining profitable. Additionally, recycling hit a 13-year high of 197.6 Moz, though refinery bottlenecks limited its full impact.

Demand: A Tale of Two Sectors

For the first time since the pandemic, total silver demand contracted by 2% to 1,130.6 Moz. This was driven by two main factors:

  • Industrial Thrifting: Industrial demand fell 3%, primarily due to the solar industry. As silver costs spiked to 20% of cell manufacturing costs, manufacturers accelerated “thrifting” technologies, reducing silver loading in photovoltaic (PV) cells.
  • Price Sensitivity: High prices crushed jewelry and silverware demand, particularly in India, where fabrication dropped 20%.

Conversely, physical investment remained robust. Demand for coins and bars rose 14%, led by a massive 33% surge in India and a doubling of investment demand in China.

The Liquidity Squeeze and 2026 Outlook

A critical theme of the report is the structural fragility of inventories. In October 2025, a convergence of ETP inflows and physical demand led to a liquidity squeeze in London, sending overnight lease rates to 200%. With London’s non-ETP stocks hitting record lows, the market proved it no longer has a “buffer” for sudden demand spikes.

Looking ahead to 2026, Metals Focus projects a sixth consecutive deficit of 46.3 Moz. While industrial and jewelry demand may continue to soften under price pressure, silver’s new status as a U.S. Critical Mineral and its growing role in AI data centers provide a strong floor. The market remains in a state of “permanent deficit,” where cumulative shortfalls (totaling 716 Moz over five years) ensure that silver remains a high-stakes, strategically vital asset.

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GJEPC Showcases India’s Craftsmanship, Innovation and Design At JCK Las Vegas 2026 Through The India Pavilion and India Design Gallery

India Pavilion Was Inaugurated By Dr. K. J. Srinivasa, Hon’ble Consul General Of India To Los Angeles

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Marking its 21st consecutive participation at JCK Las Vegas, the India Pavilion brings together 33 premier exporters, showcasing India’s innovation, craftsmanship and design prowess. The India Design Gallery complements the showcase with 26 exceptional creations from the Artisan Jewellery Design Awards 2026, celebrating India’s growing influence in design-led jewellery innovation.

The Gem & Jewellery Export Promotion Council (GJEPC) marks a defining milestone this year, celebrating its 21st consecutive participation at JCK Las Vegas, the world’s premier jewellery trade event. From May 29th to June 1st, 2026, at The Venetian Expo, the India Pavilion will serve as a global stage for 33 of India’s most visionary member exporters. Spanning 3,900 sq. ft., the pavilion represents the “Brilliant Bharat” initiative, showcasing a transition from a manufacturing powerhouse to a global trendsetter that blends centuries-old hand skills with a sophisticated, design-first approach for the international market.

The India Pavilion was inaugurated by Dr. K. J. Srinivasa, Hon’ble Consul General of India, Los Angeles, in the presence of Kirit Bhansali, Chairman, GJEPC; Vijay Mangukiya, Convener – International Exhibitions, GJEPC; Ashish Borda, Convener – Promotions, Marketing & Business Development (PMBD), GJEPC; Mital Doshi, Convener – Banking, Insurance & Taxation Committee (BITC), GJEPC; and Sabyasachi Ray, Executive Director, GJEPC.

The pavilion’s architecture across two strategic levels is designed to guide international buyers through a curated journey of Indian excellence. On Level One’s Passport Section, the narrative begins with the timeless elegance of natural diamonds and the intricate artistry of studded and plain gold jewellery, reflecting India’s deep-rooted connection to precious metals. The experience continues at Level Two, which serves as a specialised hub for high-end natural diamonds and couture jewellery collection. The collections speak the refined language of global aesthetics.


Another standout is the India Design Gallery at level 1-105, a showcase of specially crafted one-off jewels presented under the overarching theme, Quantum Couture. Curated by Paola De Luca, a globally recognised jewellery trend forecaster,  the pieces reimagine India’s rich artisanal heritage through a modern lens. The India Design Gallery spans three narratives, namely, Embroidery, Micro Painting, and Poetic Layers, each translating heritage techniques into bold, future-facing expressions of design.

Kirit Bhansali, Chairman, GJEPC, said:

“For over two decades, GJEPC has maintained a strong presence at JCK Las Vegas, and our 21st year marks a significant evolution in how we present Indian craftsmanship to the world. With 33 exporters across 3,900 sq. ft., we are not just showcasing products; we are showcasing India’s capability as a design-led manufacturing powerhouse. By blending our ancestral savoir-faire with modern innovation, we have ensured that the India Pavilion offers a vision of jewellery that is innovative, market-ready, and deeply rooted in excellence, reinforcing our position as the world’s preferred sourcing destination.”

The India Design Gallery reflects the creative evolution of Indian jewellery, where heritage craftsmanship meets contemporary design thinking. By showcasing exceptional creations from the Artisan Jewellery Design Awards 2026, we are presenting India’s growing capabilities as a global hub for design-led jewellery innovation.” added Bhansali.

Commenting on GJEPC’s recently announced membership of the Natural Diamond Council, Bhansali, noted: “The Natural Diamond Council plays a vital role in promoting the desirability and enduring value of natural diamonds among consumers worldwide. Our membership reflects GJEPC’s commitment to supporting collective industry efforts in category marketing, consumer education and storytelling, ensuring that natural diamonds continue to resonate with a new generation of consumers across global markets.”

India’s gem and jewellery industry today stands as one of the world’s most diversified and integrated ecosystems, with strengths spanning natural diamonds, coloured gemstones, gold jewellery, studded jewellery, silver jewellery, platinum, and the rapidly growing lab-grown diamond segment. Backed by a vast network of skilled artisans, advanced manufacturing capabilities, design innovation, and a strong supply chain, India has emerged as a preferred global sourcing destination, serving leading international brands and retailers with quality, scale, and craftsmanship.

India’s global rise in the gem and jewellery sector is also driven by sustained industry-building and international engagement initiatives led by GJEPC. The Council continues to strengthen India’s position on the world stage through active participation in key global industry forums including the World Diamond Council, World Federation of Diamond Bourses, and Kimberley Process, advocating ethical sourcing, transparency, sustainability, and responsible growth across the global value chain.

As part of its international outreach strategy, GJEPC provides Indian exporters access to key global markets through participation in leading international trade exhibitions and Buyer-Seller Meets across regions including Hong Kong, Las Vegas, Singapore, Italy, London, Sydney, Dubai, Bahrain, Japan, Germany, Saudi Arabia and Brazil. Flagship engagements include renowned platforms such as Jewellery & Gem ASIA Hong Kong, JCK Las Vegas, VICENZAORO, Jewellery Arabia, HKTDC Hong Kong Shows, JGT Dubai, and International Jewellery Tokyo, alongside focused Buyer-Seller Meets and initiatives such as IGJS Jaipur and SAJEX. These initiatives continue to expand market access, facilitate business opportunities, and strengthen India’s position as a trusted global jewellery hub.

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JewelBuzz is Asia’s First Digital Jewellery Media & India’s No.1 B2B Jewellery Magazine, published by AM Media House. Since 2016, we’ve been the trusted source for jewellery news, market trends, trade insights, exhibitions, podcasts, and brand stories, connecting jewellers, retailers, and industry professionals worldwide.

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