JOIN USDelhi celebrated its first India Gems and Jewellery Fair (IGJF) with much pomp and show. Previously held in Mumbai, the Gem & Jewellery Export Promotion Council (GJEPC), along with India Trade Promotion Organization (ITPO), held the IGJF at Pragati Maidan, New Delhi, for the first time. The first two days of the fair sported fashion shows – a starry line up of models and actors displaying the finest jewellery in the country, and the last four days saw a massive exhibition by the best jewellers and designers of India.
CMD, ITPO, Rita Menon said, “India has traditionally been a huge market for jewellery with the world’s highest consumption of gold, silver and precious stone products here. Given the diversity of Indian culture, which has historically influenced our jewellery designs, it is an honour for us to join GJEPC in promoting IGJF. It’s the ideal platform to introduce the Indian consumer to a gamut of jewellery craft and manufacturing capabilities that the industry has to offer.”
The grand opening
The fair started with a glitzy show of 17 designers displaying collections to hundreds of eager fashion followers. The first show was held by the Gitanjali Group with a jewellery line ‘Shuddhi Jewels’ dedicated to the empowerment of women. Working around the theme of earth, water, fire and air, the collections were fitted into the many moods of a woman. Shriya Saran walked the ramp for them.
Two top choreographers – Lubna Adams, and Anu Ahuja presented fabulous entertaining shows with 30 models sporting exquisite diamond jewellery. As always the Grand Finale was by PC Jeweller. Their show was a magnificent display of bridal jewellery created in fine diamonds and polkis that was a big success with the audience as well as buyers later on.
The fair
The fair brought forth a large and versatile collection of jewellery from across the country. It featured jewellery ranging from plain, studded with diamonds and precious and semi-precious stones. In precious metals, it included gold, silver, platinum and more with a variety of styles and trends such as couture, bridal wear, traditional, vintage, contemporary and classic.
Elle Unique brought their beautiful sterling silverware. Owner Umesh Kumar informed Metrolife, “High end sterling silverware in avatars of fusion with semi-precious especially is in great demand. Customised silverware in the forms of leaf bowls, tea sets, malachite and silver boxes, Ganesha idols, silver cased books etc. are very popular.”
Kalaji Jewels displayed Kundan-meena pendant sets and Russian emeralds. Naman Kala of this brand informed us that, “Russian emeralds receive minimum oil treatment and yet look fabulous. They look gorgeous in fusion with Italian chains. No one minds paying extra for such beauties.”