The Gem & Jewellery Export Promotion Council (GJEPC) is set to open the global jewellery calendar with the 18th edition of IIJS Bharat – Signature 2026, the first global B2B jewellery trade fair of the year, scheduled to be held across two premier venues in Mumbai later this week.
Event Dates and Venues
The exhibition will be held at the Jio World Convention Centre (JWCC), Bandra Kurla Complex, from 8 to 11 January 2026, and concurrently at the Bombay Exhibition Centre (NESCO), Goregaon, from 9 to 12 January 2026, alongside the machinery and technology showcase IGJME Bharat – Signature 2026.
IIJS Bharat – Signature as an Industry Barometer
IIJS is a name to reckon with, synonymous with business in the gem and jewellery industry. As the first trade event of the year, IIJS Bharat – Signature is widely regarded as a barometer of market sentiment, setting the direction for sourcing, design, and business for the year ahead.
Scale and Buyer Participation
The exhibition will feature over 1,600 exhibitors across 3,300+ stalls, spread across 1.25 lakh square metres, and welcome more than 25,000 trade buyers from over 800 cities in India, including 1,400 international buyers from 40 countries worldwide. Buyers will have access to a comprehensive sourcing environment covering Gold, Diamond, Silver, Loose Natural Diamonds, Coloured Gemstones, Couture Jewellery, and Lab-Grown Diamonds, along with Machinery and allied section too.
International Participation and Global Reach
This edition will see the participation of 12 international buyer delegations, reinforcing IIJS Bharat – Signature’s role as a global sourcing platform. The show will also feature international exhibitors, including 21 jewellery companies with 43 stalls from the USA, UAE, Hong Kong, Japan, Thailand, Turkey, and Germany, along with 4 international machinery and allied companies across 7 stalls.
New Exhibitors and Industry Momentum
Reflecting renewed business momentum and strong industry interest, 368+ new companies are participating in this edition, collectively occupying 472 stalls, underscoring IIJS Bharat – Signature’s continued growth and relevance.
Industry Perspective and Leadership Insight
Speaking ahead of the event, Mr. Kirit Bhansali, Chairman, GJEPC, said, “As the first global jewellery trade fair of the year, IIJS Bharat – Signature plays a defining role in setting the industry’s direction. India’s gem and jewellery sector today is focused on strengthening global trust, expanding market access, and building long-term competitiveness through quality, innovation, and responsible practices. IIJS reflects this larger ambition.”
The Select CLUB Luxury Segment
The Select CLUB, a curated luxury segment at the Jio World Convention Centre (Jasmine Hall 3rd floor), brings together 107 select companies showcasing high-end couture and fine jewellery for premium buyers and luxury connoisseurs. Designed as an exclusive sourcing destination, it reflects India’s growing strength in design-led, high-value jewellery.
Exhibition Vision and Buyer Experience
Mr. Shaunak Parikh, Vice Chairman, GJEPC and Convener, National Exhibitions, said, “IIJS Bharat – Signature is where the industry begins its annual business cycle. The dual-venue format allows us to meet growing exhibitor demand while delivering a seamless experience for buyers. From curated sections and knowledge forums to technology-driven services, the show is designed to help businesses start the year with clarity and confidence.”
Brilliant Bharat Theme and Crafts Pavilion
Under the Brilliant Bharat theme, IIJS Bharat – Signature 2026 celebrates the Art Forms of India, highlighting the country’s rich jewellery craftsmanship through focused promotion of heritage techniques such as Filigree and Banarasi Meenakari. Taking this vision forward, a key addition to this edition is the Crafts Pavilion, which brings grassroots craftsmanship to an international audience through live demonstrations by National Award-winning artisans. The pavilion will showcase GI-tagged jewellery traditions including Thewa (gold on glass), Banarasi Meenakari, the 500-year-old Silver Filigree craft from Cuttack, and distinctive silver anklets from the Hupari cluster, offering buyers and visitors an immersive experience of India’s living jewellery heritage.
Jewellery Crafts Design Competition
Complementing this initiative, IIJS Bharat – Signature 2026 will also celebrate the Jewellery Crafts Design Competition, conducted among participating exhibitors to recognise design excellence rooted in traditional Indian art forms. Aligned with the Brilliant Bharat – Art Forms of India theme, the competition invited designers to reinterpret heritage crafts into contemporary, wearable jewellery. The winning pieces will be felicitated and displayed at the Brilliant Bharat Theme Gallery across both venues, reaffirming IIJS Bharat – Signature’s commitment to nurturing design talent while preserving India’s diverse craft legacy.
Knowledge Forums and Future-Focused Dialogues
The Innov8 Talks and Symposium Knowledge Forums at IIJS Bharat – Signature 2026 will cover a wide range of critical and forward-looking topics shaping the future of the gem and jewellery industry. Key sessions will focus on the future of the natural diamond market, examining recovery trends, challenges, and emerging opportunities; Free Trade Agreements, including their modalities, nuances, and strategic implications for India’s gem and jewellery sector; and InCent-LGD, IIT Madras, highlighting India’s growing leadership in lab-grown diamond science and indigenous technologies beyond gems. The programme will also address Ease of Doing Business, with perspectives from Customs, MSMEs, and DGFT, alongside sessions on Artificial Intelligence, exploring how AI is set to re-imagine jewellery design, manufacturing, and retail by 2030.
JewelStart Business Incubation Initiative
This edition of IIJS Bharat – Signature 2026 will also witness the unveiling of JewelStart, a flagship GJEPC initiative to nurture future-ready enterprises in the gem and jewellery sector. Conceived as a dedicated business incubation platform, JewelStart will support start-ups, MSMEs, designers, and artisans through mentorship, infrastructure, technology enablement, and market access, reinforcing India’s vision of becoming the “Jeweller to the World.”
Sustainability and One Earth Initiative
Sustainability continues to be a core focus under GJEPC’s One Earth initiative. At IIJS Bharat – Signature 2026, the Council will take a significant step towards greener exhibitions by eliminating over 600,000 single-use plastic water bottles at BEC (Nesco)during the show, building on earlier measures such as renewable energy integration, minimal-waste booth systems, and the discontinuation of vinyl printing—reinforcing its commitment to responsible and eco-friendly exhibitions.
Enhanced Participant Experience
The Council has placed strong emphasis on enhancing the overall participant experience at IIJS Bharat – Signature 2026. From Prime Plus Lounges at both venues, seamless digital entry, the IIJS App featuring a 3D interactive floor plan, to shuttle services and a wide range of accommodation options, every effort has been made to ensure a smooth and efficient show experience. In addition, advanced search functionality has been introduced on the IIJS website, enabling visitors to easily explore exhibitors in advance, while a new enquiry feature on the IIJS App allows buyers to connect directly with exhibitors—ensuring participants can focus on what truly matters: business.
Setting the Tone for the Year Ahead
With global buyers and industry leaders converging in Mumbai, IIJS Bharat – Signature 2026 is poised to set the tone for the gem and jewellery industry in the year ahead, combining heritage, innovation, and business opportunity on a truly global platform.
About The Gem and Jewellery Export Promotion Council (GJEPC)
The Gem & Jewellery Export Promotion Council (GJEPC), set up by the Ministry of Commerce, Government of India (GoI) in 1966, is one of several Export Promotion Councils (EPCs) launched by the Indian Government, to boost the country’s export thrust, when India’s post-Independence economy began making forays in the international markets. Since 1998, the GJEPC has been granted autonomous status. The GJEPC is the apex body of the gems & jewellery industry and today represents 10700+ members in the sector. With headquarters in Mumbai, GJEPC has Regional Offices in New Delhi, Kolkata, Chennai, Surat and Jaipur, all of which are major centres for the industry. It thus has a wide reach and is able to have a closer interaction with members to serve them in a direct and more meaningful manner. Over the past decades, GJEPC has emerged as one of the most active EPCs and has continuously strived to both expand its reach and depth in its promotional activities as well as widen and increase services to its members.
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