A GJEPC Innov8 session on Technology Innovation and the Role of Gold and Diamonds in the Digital Age examined how digital tools are reshaping consumer engagement, investment behaviour and transparency, while reaffirming the central role of trust and human connection in jewellery. The session featured Sachin Jain, Regional CEO – India, World Gold Council, and Richa Singh, Managing Director, Natural Diamond Council.
Richa Singh opened the discussion by highlighting a clear shift in consumer expectations. Today’s jewellery buyer seeks global sensibilities rooted in tradition, authenticity over perfection, and purpose-driven brands. She noted that modern luxury is increasingly defined by real, candid moments rather than staged glamour, creating new storytelling challenges in a digital-first world. While trust and personal relationships remain the industry’s strongest assets, translating them online continues to be complex.
Singh shared examples of how technology is helping bridge this gap, including AI-powered diamond traceability that delivers results within hours and digital tools that allow consumers to visualise jewellery in personalised ways. She stressed that the future lies not in AI versus humans, but in how intelligently the two work together. Addressing misinformation, she underlined the need for strong digital narratives that combine accuracy with emotional relevance, positioning natural diamonds as legacy assets chosen across generations.
Sachin Jain placed gold within India’s broader economic and demographic context, describing the coming decades as a defining phase driven by a young population and a globally connected diaspora of over 35 million people. He noted that gold has evolved from a passive holding to a strategic asset, with demand now diversified across investment, jewellery, central banks and technology applications, including AI chips.
Jain highlighted the rapid rise of digital gold and ongoing efforts to build digital gold databases to improve accessibility, transparency and transaction ease. He concluded by noting that despite global uncertainty, gold continues to hold deep emotional and financial significance for Indian consumers, and embracing technology and transparency will be critical for the industry’s next phase of growth.