The second edition of the BDB Leadership Series, themed ‘Polishing Our Future’, concluded on a successful note, drawing world-renowned speakers and thought leaders to deliberate on the future of the gem and jewellery industry.
The three-day conference, hosted at Bharat Diamond Bourse (BDB), began with two days of research paper presentations under the Advances in Gem & Diamond Research & Technology (AGDRT) annual meet, organised by the Gemmological Institute of India. The final day was dedicated to the BDB Leadership Series, which featured high-level discussions, panel interactions, and keynote sessions.
H.E. Mr. Frank Geerkens, Consul General of Belgium in Mumbai, inaugurated the event with a traditional lamp-lighting ceremony. In his address, Mr. Anoop Mehta, President of BDB, emphasised the importance of the Leadership Series for industry members, highlighting challenges such as the recent US tariffs on India, global economic volatility, and the need to deepen understanding of ASEAN and Far Eastern markets.
Tom Moses, Executive Vice President of GIA, delivered an online address on advancements in diamond origin and provenance technology. He also responded to participant queries on certification, grading, and the evolving role of technology in shaping the industry’s future.
Liang Weizhang, Founder of Hubwis Strategic Creations, China, followed with an insightful presentation on the current dynamics and future trajectory of the China and Hong Kong markets.
A panel discussion on consumer trends in India and the Middle East brought together Pratap Kamath, Managing Director, Abaran Timeless Jewellery; KP Abdul Salaam, Vice Chairman, Malabar Group; and Siddharthaa Sawansukha, Managing Director, Sawansukha Jewellers. The speakers unanimously highlighted both regions as strong growth markets, showing positive momentum.
One of the highlights was a fireside chat between Pranay Narvekar, Partner, Pharos Beam Consulting LLP, and Mithun Sacheti, Co-founder and Former CEO of CaratLane. Sacheti candidly shared CaratLane’s growth story and the hurdles faced along the way, offering an inspiring roadmap for entrepreneurs and established business leaders alike.
Another first-of-its-kind panel, moderated by industry consultant Nirupa Bhat, brought together Smit Patel, Director, Greenlab LGD Diamonds; Olivia Landau, Founder & CEO, The Clearcut; and Ashish Pethe, Partner, Waman Hari Pethe Jewellers. The session explored the natural and lab-grown diamond sectors, examining their respective markets and future potential, with Pethe providing a retail perspective.
Summing up the event, Mehul Shah, Vice President, BDB, remarked: “This was one of the most educational and informative series in recent times. The BDB Leadership Series continues to grow in content, and we remain committed to bringing opinion leaders and expert voices to the BDB platform.”
The proceedings concluded with a vote of thanks by Jay Parikh, Committee Member, BDB. With experts from Russia, the US, and China sharing a common stage, this year’s edition stood out for its spirit of collaboration and its focus on driving consolidation within the industry.