With 1,600+ exhibitors, 3,300+ stalls and more than 25,000 trade buyers expected, GJEPC says the January showcase could generate ₹75,000 crore in orders over the next three months.
Mumbai, India — January 8, 2026 — India set an early pace for the global gems and jewellery trade this week with the opening of IIJS Bharat – Signature 2026, a major B2B sourcing event staged across two Mumbai venues and positioned by organisers as the industry’s first large-scale buying and direction-setting moment of the year.
The Gem & Jewellery Export Promotion Council (GJEPC) inaugurated the 18th edition at the Jio World Convention Centre (JWCC), formally opening what many international buyers and suppliers treat as the start of the annual trade calendar. According to GJEPC, the show is expected to generate ₹75,000 crore (₹750 billion) in orders over the next three months as retailers, wholesalers and manufacturers lock in assortments, production planning and sourcing relationships for the year ahead.
The opening ceremony included industry leaders from across the value chain, with Sandrine Conseiller, CEO of De Beers Brands and Chair of the Natural Diamond Council, participating as Chief Guest, alongside Guests of Honour Harsha Bangari (Managing Director, EXIM Bank) and Saumen Bhaumik (Managing Director, CaratLane). GJEPC Chairman Kirit Bhansali, Vice Chairman Shaunak Parikh, and Executive Director Sabyasachi Ray were also in attendance with exhibitors, buyers and stakeholders.
Two venues, one unified sourcing push
IIJS Bharat – Signature 2026 runs at JWCC (January 8–11, 2026) and the Bombay Exhibition Centre, NESCO, Goregaon (January 9–12, 2026). The event is being held alongside IGJME Bharat – Signature 2026, the machinery and technology showcase, underscoring how closely the show links product buying with manufacturing capacity, finishing, automation and production readiness.
GJEPC says the combined footprint spans more than 1.25 lakh square metres, bringing together 1,600+ exhibitors across 3,300+ stalls. Attendance is expected to exceed 25,000 trade buyers from 800+ Indian cities, with international interest continuing to grow: 1,400 international buyers from 40 countries and 12 international buyer delegations are scheduled to participate.
From a merchandising standpoint, the show’s category mix is designed to capture both volume-driven and premium buying across gold, diamond, silver and studded jewellery, loose natural diamonds, coloured gemstones, couture and fine jewellery, lab-grown diamonds, and machinery and allied segments.
Why global buyers watch India first
In remarks during the opening, speakers emphasized India’s expanding influence across both demand and supply. Organisers positioned IIJS Bharat – Signature as a bellwether event where early-year sentiment becomes concrete decisions: inventory bets, margin strategy, design direction, and supplier shortlists.
GJEPC also tied the show to longer-range national targets, including the industry’s ambition to reach USD $100 billion in exports by 2047, aligned with India’s “Viksit Bharat” development vision. Leadership highlighted a growth narrative built on trade diversification, manufacturing and technology investment, and retail expansion—anchored, they said, in transparency and consumer trust.
A notable near-term milestone: India is set to assume the Kimberley Process Chairmanship for the third time, reinforcing the country’s role in policy and governance conversations that impact diamond pipeline confidence and responsible sourcing expectations.
Craft, luxury, knowledge and what’s next
Beyond buying, IIJS Bharat – Signature 2026 leaned into brand storytelling and product differentiation through multiple show features.
A dedicated Crafts Pavilion, themed under “Brilliant Bharat,” showcased India’s heritage techniques through curated displays and live demonstrations by award-winning artisans. GI-tagged traditions highlighted by organisers included Thewa (gold on glass), Banarasi meenakari, Cuttack silver filigree, and Hupari cluster silver crafts—a reminder that the global market’s appetite for heritage-led design remains commercially relevant, particularly as consumers seek meaning and provenance.
At JWCC, Select CLUB presented a curated luxury segment, featuring couture and fine jewellery from 107 selected companies. Meanwhile, the programme included Innov8 Talks & Symposium Knowledge Forums, covering themes shaping the next phase of global trade: 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.
Sustainability and show operations
GJEPC said the event continues to develop its sustainability approach under the Council’s One Earth initiative, including efforts to reduce single-use items on-site. Among the operational claims highlighted was the elimination of more than 600,000 single-use plastic water bottles at the Bombay Exhibition Centre, alongside broader eco-conscious practices across the event.
What it signals for Canadian jewellers
For Canadian retailers, suppliers and wholesalers watching international sourcing trends, IIJS Bharat – Signature increasingly functions as an early indicator of what could show up across North American showcases later in the year: design direction, price positioning, supply capacity, and how quickly the industry is adapting to new consumer expectations around traceability, innovation and value.
The event’s scale also matters in practical terms. When 1,400 international buyers from 40 countries enter the market at once, it can influence lead times, allocation and production priorities—especially in high-demand categories where turnaround speed and consistency are competitive advantages.
With India’s manufacturing ecosystem spanning everything from mass volume to high-finish craftsmanship—and with machinery and technology showcased alongside finished product—IIJS Bharat – Signature is signalling a clear message to the global trade in 2026: India intends to set the tone early, and the rest of the pipeline is paying attention.
