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On the morning of 8 January 2026, COLLECTION Magazine witnessed the gathering of dignitaries at the entrance of the Jasmine Hall for the flag hoisting, then the lamp lighting at the welcome ceremony, and the energy was palpable in the soaring atrium of the Jio World Convention Centre. A low hum of anticipation, a blend of a dozen languages, the clink of display cases being arranged, and the swift footsteps of early buyers, filled the air. This was the opening act of IIJS Bharat Signature 2026, organized by the GJEPC, and over the next four days, across two venues in Mumbai, it was obvious why this event is considered the definitive starting pistol for the global jewellery calendar.
The numbers are staggering, but they only tell part of the story. Yes, 1,600+ exhibitors sprawled across 3,300+ stalls in 125,000 square metres of space (≈ 17.5 football fields). Yes, over 25,000 buyers navigated the aisles, including a notably robust contingent of 1,400 international visitors from 40 countries. But the true narrative of IIJS Signature is woven from the threads of conversations, the gleam of innovation under glass, and the palpable sense of an industry confidently stepping into its future.
The dual-venue format, spanning the futuristic Jio World Convention Centre (JWCC) and the industrial halls of the Bombay Exhibition Centre in NESCO, created a fascinating dichotomy. JWCC felt like the beating heart of high design and luxury. The Select CLUB segment was a sanctuary of quiet opulence, where 107 curated brands showcased couture and fine jewellery as wearable art. The atmosphere was one of intimate appraisal and serious business conducted over espresso.
A drive away in the busy streets of Mumbai, NESCO was the engine room, a vibrant, bustling metropolis of manufacturing, machinery, and mass-scale sourcing. The IGJME Bharat machinery exhibit buzzed with the sound of future production, while halls dedicated to silver, gemstones, and diamond jewellery were a hive of activity. This was a live map of the entire jewellery value chain, from raw material and technology to finished masterpiece.
Amidst the global business talk, The “Brilliant Bharat” pulse, the soul of the event was undeniably Indian. The Crafts Pavilion at JWCC was a pilgrimage site. Watching National Award-winning artisans patiently execute the delicate Thewa art (fusing gold on glass) or the intricate silver filigree work from Cuttack was a poignant reminder of the centuries of skill underpinning this modern industry. As Saumen Bhaumik of CaratLane aptly noted in the inauguration, “Making artisans a priority is not charity, it is business prudence”. Here, that philosophy was living and breathing.
The inaugural speeches set a tone of formidable ambition, GJEPC Chairman Kirit Bhansali didn’t just speak of growth, he framed it within a national mission, the industry’s path to USD 100 billion in exports by 2047, aligned with a ‘Viksit Bharat’. The announcement of India assuming the Kimberley Process Chairmanship for the third time was repeatedly cited as a badge of global trust and ethical leadership.
Sandrine Conseiller, CEO of De Beers, captured the sentiment perfectly: “There is no better place to talk about the future of jewellery than India”. Her statement echoed through the halls.
From discussions on AI’s role by 2030 at the Innov8 Talks to breakthroughs in lab-grown diamond technology, the future was being debated and shaped in Mumbai last week.
The One Earth initiative by GJEPC moved from promise to practice. The most tangible evidence? The conspicuous absence of single-use plastic water bottles at NESCO, a move that reportedly eliminated over 600,000 bottles. It was a silent, powerful statement that responsible growth is non-negotiable.
As the lights dimmed on 11 January at JWCC (with NESCO running one day longer), the buzz wasn’t of fatigue, but of momentum. Orders were pencilled, contacts exchanged, and strategies formed. The projected ₹75,000 crore ( (750 billion Indian rupees ≈ USD 9 billion) in business over the next three months now feels like a tangible target, not just a headline.
In conclusion, IIJS Bharat Signature 2026 was a statement, that clearly declared that the compass of the global jewellery industry is set towards India, not just for its manufacturing might, but for its design heritage, its ethical clout, and its vision for a brilliant, sustainable future. As COLLECTION Magazine left the venue, the words of GJEPC Vice Chairman Shaunak Parikhrang true, this is indeed “the definitive platform where the global jewellery business year truly begins”. And after these 5 days, there’s no doubt about who is writing its opening chapter.
