By David Brough
MUMBAI – A huge turnout of visitors packed into the IIJS Premiere show (August 4-8, 2022) in Mumbai, auguring for a strong flow of jewellery, diamond and gemstone orders ahead of Diwali and the wedding and other festive seasons.
Despite intense traffic in the highways, retailers and wholesalers, mainly from India, as well as from markets such as the UK, made their way to the event to choose from a vast offering of goods.
IIJS is one of the largest shows in the world with more than 1,790 exhibitors showcasing their gems and jewellery, and spread over 74,497+ square metres of exhibition space. The event has more than 37,000 pre-registered trade visitors, including 1,200 international visitors from 885+ cities in India and 80+ countries.
The show was one of the first opportunities for many in the industry, notably visitors from abroad, to gather and network in-person, since before the lockdowns. At the height of the pandemic, much Indian business had been conducted in virtual buyer-seller meetings.
IIJS Premiere presented a wide selection of the latest cutting-edge designs from Indian manufacturers, in gold, diamond- and gem-set jewellery, as well as loose diamonds and gemstones, and machinery.
Suppliers showed off the latest technologies, such as Venus Jewel’s 3diam machine which displays the intricacies of an individual polished diamond in extraordinary detail; and SGL lab’s latest machine which can distinguish natural from lab-grown diamonds in loose stones and jewellery.
Venus Jewel
A delegation of UK-based wholesalers and retailers met with show organisers, the Gem & Jewellery Export Promotion Council (GJEPC), to discuss trade matters, on day two of the event.
UK delegation meets GJEPC
IIJS Premiere was the backdrop for wider industry events, such as the Jewellers for Hope dinner, sponsored by industry leaders such as De Beers, benefiting disadvantaged industry members, and the well-attended IIJS fashion show, showcasing inspired new jewellery designs worn by Indian models on the runway with a Bollywood influence.
IIJS Premiere featured discussions on key issues in the industry, with a strong emphasis this year on lab-grown diamonds, a growing export from India’s manufacturing centres such as Surat.
