India's international jewellery week sparkles in Mumbai

India’s international jewellery week is off to a sparkling start in Mumbai. Jewellers are trying to boost jewellery sales domestically, despite the global markets losing their lustre.

India’s jewellery week is the place to be to catch the latest sparkling trends in Mumbai, once known as Bombay. Organised by the Gems and Jewelry Export Promotion Council of India, the event provides a platform to highlight the country’s contribution in global jewellery design, innovation and craftsmanship. More than 30 jewelry designers from India and around the globe gathered to unveil their latest works.

Rajiv Jain, chairman of Gems and Jewelry Export Promotion Council, says, "It takes time to establish yourself in the new market, and still the U.S. is the largest market, but we are trying our best from the platform of the Gem and jewellery council, and with the help of the government of India, we are trying to bring the focus to these new countries."

Japan’s leading designer, Nobuko Ishikava , a pioneer in creating unique jewelry designs, is the highlight of the exhibition.

Yoshie Ishikawa, President and CEO, says, "It’s not only in Japan, but the jewelry trade in the entire world is going through difficult times. The major challenge is to find the right product, the right customer and to create designs that customers want."

Bollywood actor Sonam Kapoor, the brand ambassador for the jewellery week , is among those shopping for the latest diamond jewelry pieces on display.

Gold and diamond jewellery are the most important in India’s jewellery industry. India is the world’s largest diamond cutting and polishing centre, with the diamond business growing at nearly 20 per cent every year. Organisers are now trying to position India as the leading jewellery design centre globally.

Rajiv Jain says, "We want to show to the world that India is not only the manufacturing destination, it’s a design destination also."

Many jewelry design houses are moving from elaborate and intricate classic styles to a fusion of traditional designs with contemporary sensibilities. Foreign jewellery brands are also trying to gain a foothold in the lucrative Indian jewellery market. For many jewellery retailers, the future is sparkling.