IGJS Jaipur Raises the Bar Beyond Expectations!

The International Gem & Jewellery Show (IGJS) Jaipur 2026 has once again reinforced its position as a high-impact and productive sourcing platform, drawing participation from global buyers despite a challenging geopolitical climate. Set against the vibrant backdrop of Jaipur—renowned as the world’s coloured gemstone hub—the show brought together a diverse mix of loose gemstones, diamonds across cuts, and finely crafted jewellery collections, reflecting both scale and sophistication.

The show floor buzzed with a steady stream of serious business interactions, and IGJS Jaipur stood out not just for its product diversity, but for the confidence it continues to inspire among international buyers seeking quality, craftsmanship, and reliability from India. A report by Solitaire International.

The International Gem & Jewellery Show (IGJS) Jaipur 2026, organised by GJEPC, held from April 9 to 11, 2026, was a curated, business-focused platform, aimed at strengthening India’s position as a preferred sourcing destination for the global gem and jewellery trade.

featuring 85 companies across 110 booths, the show welcomed 230 international buyers from 30 countries, including the USA, UK, Europe, Latin America, Oceania, MENA, Russia, and the CIS region.

IGJS in Jaipur was inaugurated by Shri Sanjay Gupta, Chief Commissioner of Customs, Customs Preventive, New Delhi, in the presence of dignitaries including Shri R. K. Chandan, Commissioner of Customs, Jaipur; Shri Shaunak Parikh, Vice Chairman, GJEPC; Shri Yogendra Garg, Regional Chairman (Rajasthan), GJEPC; Shri Vijay Mangukiya, Convener – International Exhibitions, GJEPC; and Mr. Sabyasachi Ray, Executive Director, GJEPC.

In his inaugural address, Shri Sanjay Gupta, Chief Commissioner of Customs, Customs Preventive, New Delhi, noted that platforms like IGJS not only showcase the depth of India’s manufacturing capabilities but also build confidence among international buyers. “As Customs, our commitment is clear—we will continue to facilitate trade, simplify processes, and support the industry in its growth journey.”

Shri R. K. Chandan, Commissioner of Customs, Jaipur, said “Customs is not only a regulator—we are also facilitators of trade. Our focus is on enabling ease of doing business and supporting the growth of the industry.”

Speaking on the occasion, Shri Shaunak Parikh, Vice Chairman, GJEPC, said “At a time when the global trade environment is impacted by geopolitical uncertainties, the strong participation of over 230 international buyers reflects the continued trust in India as a reliable sourcing partner. IGJS is a focused platform that brings together the strength of Indian manufacturing and the confidence of global buyers, helping build resilient supply chains and long-term business relationships.”

Highlighting Jaipur’s importance, Shri Yogendra Garg, Regional Chairman (Rajasthan), GJEPC, said “The city offers a unique and integrated ecosystem for the gem and jewellery industry—from sourcing and manufacturing to certification and trade—all within close proximity. IGJS Jaipur reflects this strength and presents an opportunity for global buyers to engage with India’s capabilities.”

The show also saw the presence of several renowned global brands, including Simon Benney, CEO & Owner, House of Benney and Royal Warrant holder as Goldsmith to His Majesty King Charles, said: “Bringing the industry together under the India-UK FTA framework, with zero tariffs, creates a clear advantage for both sides. It removes a key cost barrier and encourages wider participation across manufacturers, cutters and polishers.

What stood out for Benney was the exceptional level of Indian craftsmanship, particularly the precision in settings, the quality of finishing, and the high standard of enamel work. “The attention to detail is consistently strong, even on close inspection. Overall, it is a highly impressive and a strong signal for increased bilateral trade in jewellery.”

Global buyers get an immersive experience at IGJS

On her debut visit to IGJS, Anna Moncrieff, Head of Manufacturing, Repairs, Insurance and Quality at Micheal Hill, Australia, was floored by the experience and hospitality at the event, and more importantly, the show helped her connect with a wide range of supply partners. “We’ve had long-standing relationships in Mumbai, so being here allows us to explore new opportunities across India as a sourcing destination, which we see immense value in.

“At Michael Hill, we’re currently focused on expanding our bespoke and customisation offering across all our stores. India plays a key role in helping us explore opportunities—from coloured gemstones to new product possibilities and quality enhancements. We’ve come across some outstanding vendors who align with our standards, and we’re also using this platform to build meaningful partnerships.

“From an Australian consumer perspective, gold continues to see strong demand despite rising prices, while sterling silver remains a consistent performer. We’re also introducing silver with gold vermeil as an accessible option for customers. Lab-grown diamonds are gaining strong momentum, even as mined diamonds remain central to our business. At the same time, we’re seeing growing interest in coloured gemstones, particularly within our bespoke programmes, where customers are looking for more personalised pieces.”

Esmarie Du Plooy of Eco Chic Jewelry, South Africa, said that India offered more than she expected—designers   experimenting with new materials, metals and surface finishes, and creating fastening mechanisms that feel original and fresh. “There is strong potential to collaborate, combining my design approach with Indian craftsmanship to develop something distinctive. I am particularly interested in sourcing gemstones and working with partners here. My design philosophy centres on merging old and new, upcycling heirloom pieces with contemporary elements to create something meaningful and unique.”

A repeat visitor, Farog Giligrian, Varouj Jewelry, Egypt, noted that it was far more convenient to source the full spectrum of stones here than at any other show.

“I operate across both manufacturing and retail, offering A to Z solutions through my workshop, with a strong retail presence including 22 stores in Lebanon and Cairo, Egypt. For the market I cater to, there is a clear inclination towards more contemporary, trend-driven designs—primarily diamond-focused, with minimal reliance on gold. Gold prices don’t significantly impact our business, as gold forms only a small fraction of the overall cost, whereas diamonds continue to remain strong, especially in Egypt.

“Coloured gemstones, which weren’t as popular about two decades ago, have seen a noticeable rise in demand over the past three years. Emeralds, in particular, are doing very well. At the same time, I work extensively with tourmalines, which I favour for their vivid colours—perfect for creating bold, statement pieces like large earrings.”

For Arlen Dergarabedian, Oro Vitchenza, Cyprus, India, remains one of the key sourcing destinations for the global jewellery trade. He has been working with Indian manufacturers—particularly in natural diamonds—and the experience has been consistently productive. Based in Cyprus for over 30 years, his retail business has since expanded across Europe and parts of Asia, including the Maldives, alongside a growing wholesale division.

“At IGJS, our primary focus has been on loose stones, though we are increasingly exploring finished jewellery as well. Over the past eight years especially, I’ve seen a notable shift in Indian manufacturing—the quality of design, finish, and overall product offering has improved significantly. There is clear potential here, and we are very happy to be part of it.”

Aleksei Chernyshev, SB Zoloto, Russia, noted that theirs is an over two-decade strong family-run business dealing in silver and gold jewellery.  “This is my fifth or sixth visit to IGJS Jaipur and each time, it has proven valuable.”

At the show, Chernyshev sourced emeralds, rubies, multi-tourmaline and spinel—categories that according to him are currently well-priced and offer good opportunities. “What makes this market particularly interesting is the ability to find quality stones at accessible price points, especially at a time when demand for good quality remains strong. I connected with over 20 suppliers who presented genuinely competitive and interesting offerings, making the experience very worthwhile. India continues to stand out for gemstone sourcing—whether it is Zambian, Brazilian or even Russian-origin emeralds, the cutting quality here, especially for coloured stones, is among the best.

“My focus remains on calibrated stones in classic shapes like oval, round, marquise, pear and octagon, which form the core of my collections. These are set into jewellery and supplied to our key markets. Overall, the show has been very good, and I’m pleased with the outcomes.”

Bruno Dantas of The Diamond Plus, Brazil, said, “The show led to several productive meetings. I primarily source rubies and emeralds—especially Colombian emeralds—which are central to my work. I found classic cuts such as oval and emerald, and as a wholesaler of diamonds and gemstones, I was able to source most of what I was looking for, along with additional opportunities through meetings in the local market.”

Exhibitor Speak

All exhibitor apprehensions around the geopolitical climate quickly faded once IGJS got underway. The reason was clear—global buyers arrived with strong buying intent, actively seeking long-term partnerships for sourcing and customised inventory.

It was a successful debut at IGJS for Madhav Krishnatri, Digital Marketing Manager at Cosa Nostraa representing Salasar Balaji Creations, Jaipur. Their one-off statement pieces  crafted in high-quality recycled brass alloy with an e-coating commanded attention. “At the moment, we’re exploring our commercial strategy and gathering feedback from international buyers, and the response has been very encouraging.

“We’ve had clients across Italy, Uzbekistan, and Russia, with several ongoing conversations. It’s been an exciting journey so far, and we’re looking forward to seeing how the brand evolves.”

Busy aisles at the IGJS Jaipur.

Receiving a steady stream of buyers at the show, Jinesh Mehta, Founder, Kaamya Jewels, said “Even amid geopolitical uncertainties, our business remains resilient, driven by a loyal base of repeat clients—around 70%, with a strong presence from Uzbekistan. Buyers like Benney from the UK have visited more than once at our booth, reflecting their appreciation for the richness of Indian craftsmanship.”

Nandinee Kakadiya of SKSM Diamonds Impex Limited, revealed that the show had been very successful for them. “Our approach is about making the extraordinary more accessible without compromising on authenticity. By patenting our unique process of cutting and assembling natural diamonds into composite forms, we’re able to enhance their brilliance, size appearance, and overall impact—while keeping them more attainable. It’s not just innovation for the sake of technique; it’s about reshaping how people experience rare diamonds, especially in the coloured segment, where consistency and affordability have always been a challenge. Every piece reflects our commitment to craftsmanship, precision, and a new way of thinking about luxury.”

Elaborating on the patent, Nandini said, “It’s rare to own a process patent in the diamond industry—and that sets us apart. We’ve developed and patented our own method of cutting and assembling natural diamonds into composite stones that look larger, brighter, and more impactful. This innovation is now protected across nearly 56 countries, including the United States, India, Brazil, Russia, Japan, China, and Australia. It’s a significant step, because it allows us to offer the beauty of rare diamonds—especially coloured ones—at a more accessible price point, without compromising on authenticity. Every piece is still natural, but engineered with precision to redefine how luxury can be experienced.”

Aadesh Jain of Aura Creations informed that the IGJS had been a success as they got queries for their diamond layouts patterned with customized cuts. “With price corrections in diamonds, there’s been a noticeable boost in demand. We’re seeing strong interest in special cuts—long baguettes, modified tulips, long hexagons, and unique diamond layouts. These layouts, priced around $40,000, are one-of-a-kind pieces with no real replacement in the market. We continue to create such exclusive designs, and buyers here are responding very positively. At the same time, we also offer more accessible layouts—starting at around ₹4.5 lakh for 6.5 carats—ensuring there’s something for every segment.”

The company received some serious enquiries from across regions, including the Middle East, Cairo and South America, which has been one of the strongest markets for us at IGJS so far.

A first-time participant at IGJS, Anand Rao, Partner, Gemmologist, Onsaz Jewellery Creations, said that given the current circumstances, the show gave them good results. “We’ve seen a good mix of international buyers from Spain, France, and CIS regions like Russia, Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan. Our offering spans 18 and 14 carat gold, along with a strong silver line that we’ve introduced in recent years as rising metal prices and changing consumer preferences have shifted demand—especially among international buyers who are showing strong interest in silver jewellery.

On the gemstone front, emeralds continue to perform well, along with morganites and kunzites. There is a clear demand for high-end jewellery featuring larger, high-quality stones such as emeralds, rubies, sapphires and opals.

We have a strong presence in both domestic and export markets, with the UK as our largest export destination, followed by Germany. While exports to the US have softened, we are now focused on expanding our global footprint further.”