IIJS Bharat 2026: India had once again reaffirmed its leadership at the heart of the global gems and jewellery industry with the grand opening of IIJS Bharat Signature 2026. Inaugurated by the Gem & Jewellery Export Promotion Council (GJEPC), IIJS is widely regarded as the first and most impactful B2B jewellery trade fair of the year.
The 18th edition of IIJS was so impactful that it is expected to generate ₹75,000 crore in orders over the next three months, reflecting strong domestic and international confidence in the Indian jewellery sector.
The inauguration ceremony took place at the Jio World Convention Centre, Mumbai, at 8th January. The event was graced by Chief Guest Sandrine Conseiller, CEO, De Beers Brands and Chair, Natural Diamond Council, along with Guests of Honour Harsha Bangari, Managing Director, EXIM Bank, and Saumen Bhaumik, Managing Director, CaratLane. Senior leadership from GJEPC, including Kirit Bhansali, Chairman, Shaunak Parikh, Vice Chairman & Convener, National Exhibitions, and Sabyasachi Ray, Executive Director, joined by exhibitors, buyers, and key stakeholders from across the global gem and jewellery value chain.
This year, IIJS was so big that it was held across two premier venues- The Jio World Convention Centre (8-11 January) and Bombay Exhibition Centre (9-12 January). Spanning over 1.25 lakh square metres, the exhibition brings together more than 1,600 exhibitors across 3,300+ stalls and welcomes over 25,000 trade buyers from 800+ Indian cities. The international presence remains robust, with 1,400 overseas buyers from 40 countries and 12 international buyer delegations.
The show offers a comprehensive sourcing platform across gold, diamond, silver, and studded jewellery, loose natural diamonds, coloured gemstones, couture and fine jewellery, lab-grown diamonds, and machinery and allied segments.
The significance of the IIJS was highlighted by Ms Sandrine Conseiller, CEO, De Beers, who said in the inauguration ceremony, “There is no better place to talk about the future of jewellery than India. From being the birthplace of the world’s diamond story to emerging as one of the fastest-growing markets today, India continues to be a pillar of stability and opportunity for the global gems and jewellery industry. Platforms like IIJS Signature play a critical role in strengthening trust, partnerships and confidence across the ecosystem, while reinforcing India’s position at the heart of the global jewellery trade,”
Further Mr Kirit Bhansali, Chairman of GJEPC, said, “As the year’s first major international showcase, IIJS Bharat – Signature embodies the Indian gem and jewellery industry’s confidence, resilience, and global readiness. India stands at the nexus of trust, transparency, and opportunity—with IIJS bringing this story to life.”
He further added, “In 2026, India steps boldly onto the world stage, assuming the Kimberley Process Chairmanship for the third time—a resounding vote of confidence in our leadership, credibility, and dedication to ethical trade. Poised to achieve the USD 100 billion export milestone by 2047, India’s gem and jewellery sector has outgrown dependence on traditional markets. It will drive growth through Free Trade Agreements, robust government support, strategic diversification, manufacturing and technology innovation, and retail expansion. These pillars—anchored in transparency and consumer trust—strengthen our global competitiveness and ensure sustainable, long-term growth,”
At the event, highlighting the importance of financial infrastructure, Harsha Bangari, Managing Director, EXIM Bank, noted, “Gems and jewellery is a traditional yet dynamic sector with a significant contribution to India’s exports and employment. Strengthening infrastructure, improving awareness about financial products, addressing technology and skill gaps, and easing trade bottlenecks are critical for clusters to realise their full export potential,”
Addressing the human capital aspect, Saumen Bhaumik, Managing Director, CaratLane, observed, “As our industry grows, every stakeholder has benefited, but continued investment in skills and craftsmanship will be key to sustaining this momentum. With the industry expected to grow significantly in the coming years, the availability of skilled hands will become critical. Making artisans a priority is not charity, it is business prudence. If we want to be global leaders, dignity, pride and security for craftsmanship must sit at the centre of our growth story.”
Reinforcing India’s commanding position, Shaunak Parikh, Vice Chairman, GJEPC, said, “IIJS Bharat – Signature 2026 represents India’s commanding position in the global gem and jewellery industry, spanning manufacturing excellence, design innovation, and a rapidly growing domestic market. As the first major international jewellery trade fair of the year, it is where the global industry turns to India for direction and opportunity. The scale of participation, growing international presence, and strong entry of new enterprises reflect the confidence of the trade—making IIJS Bharat – Signature the definitive platform where the global jewellery business year truly begins.”
IIJS this year featured pavilions which showcased GI-tagged traditions such as Thewa (gold on glass), Banarasi Meenakari, Cuttack’s silver filigree, and distinctive silver crafts from the Hupari cluster, offering visitors an immersive glimpse into India’s living craft legacy.
The exhibition also features Select CLUB, a curated luxury segment at JWCC with high-end couture and fine jewellery from 107 select companies, along with Innov8 Talks & Symposium knowledge forums addressing themes such as the future of natural diamonds, Free Trade Agreements, lab-grown diamond technology, ease of doing business, and the role of AI in jewellery by 2030.
With global buyers, policymakers, and industry leaders converging in Mumbai, IIJS Bharat – Signature 2026 stands poised to set the tone for the gem and jewellery industry in the year ahead—bringing together heritage, innovation, sustainability, and global business opportunity on a single, powerful platform.
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