The 34th edition of the annual India International Jewellery Show (IIJS 2017) which will be held from July 27-31, 2017 at the Bombay Exhibition Centre and Hotel Lalit with over 1,200 exhibitors is poised to be a bigger and better show as a result of various changes introduced this year. The show will be inaugurated on July 27 by Ms Nirmala Sitharaman, Hon’ble Minister of State (IC) for Commerce & Industry, Govt of India; Mr Manoj Dwivedi, Joint Secretary, Dept. Commerce, MoC& I, Govt of India and Mr Alan Chirgwin, VP, Sales and Marketing, Rio Tinto.

IIJS 2017 will have over 160 additional stalls as compared to last year, including a bigger gold section. It will continue the special Machinery Section at Hotel Lalit Mumbai, and this part of the show will be held from July 28-31. Over 35,000 visitors are expected over the five day event. The show timings have also been extended.

The highlight this year will be the ‘Prelude to IIJS 2017’, a grand B2B jewellery fashion showcase in a new format that will see 15 leading manufacturers unveil their new collections to select invitees a day before the show begins. Organised by GJEPC in partnership with Diamond Producers Association (DPA), the Prelude event will also mark the official launch of the DPA’s generic diamond promotion campaign for India.

Participants in the fashion showcase include Agarwal and Company, Alma by PGP, Anand Shah, Baheti Gems & Jewels Pvt. Ltd., CVM Exports, Geeta Shyam Jewellers (Sunil Jewellers), Gitanjali, Kiran Jewels, Laxmi Jewellery, Palak Jewellers, Priority Jewels, Romil Jewelry, Sanskriti Jewels, Sheetal Manufacturing and Vasupati Jewellers.

The ‘Prelude to IIJS 2017’ B2B jewellery fashion showcase is supported and partnered by BVC Logistics as Powered by partner, Shilpi Jewellers and Royal Chains as Co-partners, and Gemological Institute of India (GII) as lab partner.

GJEPC Chairman Praveenshankar Pandya, said, “As the Indian gems and jewellery industry strives to reach new pinnacles of success, Prelude to IIJS 2017 gives retailers, wholesalers and distributors an opportunity to select exclusive jewellery designs precisely crafted with the best technical knowhow.”

The Prelude event showcases trendsetting Indian craftsmanship, design capital and capabilities to the world. Pandya said that this was in sync with GJEPC’s Mission 2022 strategy. “It sets the foundation for one-to-one interactions, discussions and deliberations prior to the commencement of the biggest international jewellery trade show in the world,” he concluded.

Another highlight of the five-day event will be the Jewellers for Hope Charity Dinner in association with De Beers Group on July 27. This year the proceeds of the formal event for special invitees and guests will go to Girl Rising, Nanhi Kali Foundation and Make-a-Wish India Foundation.