GJEPC welcomed the GIA Board of Governors delegation, led by Pritesh Patel, President and Chief Executive Officer of GIA, to its Mumbai head office on 14 October 2026.
The delegation was welcomed by GJEPC’s leadership including Kirit Bhansali, Chairman; Anoop Mehta, Convenor, Diamond Panel; Ashish Borda, Convenor, PMBD; Mital Doshi, Convenor, BITC; Ashish Mehta, Co-opted Member, Diamond Panel; and Executive Director Sabyasachi Ray.
During the meeting, GJEPC made a detailed presentation outlining four proposals for GIA’s consideration, based on feedback from the diamond trade and the challenges faced by manufacturers and exporters.
The proposals included reviewing diamond certification costs, particularly for dossiers, and making pricing and discount schemes more accessible to small and medium enterprises (SMEs). GJEPC also proposed setting up a GIA verification service within Bharat Diamond Bourse (BDB), with a defined timeline, to make diamond verification more accessible and to deter fraud.
Another key proposal called for extending grading services in India to diamonds of all sizes, including stones above 3.99 carats, as well as fancy-colour diamonds. GJEPC highlighted the delays and logistical challenges involved in sending such stones overseas for grading.
The fourth proposal focused on strengthening consumer confidence in natural diamonds by building on the traditional 4Cs framework. GJEPC suggested greater emphasis on rarity, traceability, provenance and exclusivity to help consumers better understand the characteristics and story of natural diamonds.
The meeting also featured a presentation by Parul Bajaj, Managing Director and Partner, India Leader: Marketing, Sales & Pricing Practice at Boston Consulting Group (BCG), on a study commissioned by GJEPC to develop a roadmap for increasing India’s gem and jewellery exports to US$100 billion + by 2040.