Industry records ₹2.28 lakh crore exports despite 44% U.S. market decline; GJEPC-JAB partnership strengthens southern trade corridor
The fourth edition of IIJS Bharat – Tritiya 2026 opened today at Bengaluru International Exhibition Centre (BIEC), marking the event’s largest edition to date with over 1,100 exhibitors showcasing across 1,900 stalls in three expansive halls.
India’s third-largest B2B jewellery trade show is expected to draw 15,000 trade visitors from 500 Indian cities and 40 countries over the three-day event, positioning itself as a critical sourcing platform ahead of the festive and wedding seasons.
The show’s scale-up reflects growing confidence in India’s gems and jewellery sector, which recorded ₹2.28 lakh crore in exports with 4% growth between April 2025 and February 2026—despite navigating a 44% decline in traditional markets like the United States.
Record Participation Signals Market Expansion
This year’s edition includes 270 new exhibitors, further strengthening the exhibition’s diversity and scale. The showcase spans gold, diamond, silver and studded jewellery, loose natural diamonds, coloured gemstones, lab-grown diamonds, and machinery segments.
Running concurrently is the India Gem & Jewellery Machinery Expo (IGJME) Bharat – Tritiya 2026, featuring 79 companies across 117 stalls showcasing cutting-edge machinery, allied products, and packaging solutions.
Kirit Bhansali, Chairman of the Gem & Jewellery Export Promotion Council (GJEPC), emphasised the industry’s adaptive response to global market shifts.
“Reaching ₹2.28 lakh crore in exports with over 4% growth despite a 44% dip in traditional markets like the U.S. is a testament to our successful strategy of market diversification,” Bhansali said. “IIJS Bharat Tritiya stands as a symbol of this evolution, where the industry’s ability to adapt to rising gold prices through innovative, lighter designs meets a global audience eager for Indian excellence.”
Regional Partnership Strengthens Southern Trade Corridor
In a significant development, GJEPC and The Jewellers’ Association Bengaluru (JAB) signed a Memorandum of Understanding to strengthen the jewellery trade ecosystem in Karnataka and enhance regional industry participation.
The partnership reflects growing recognition of southern India’s importance as both a manufacturing hub and a high-value consumer market. Karnataka’s supportive policy environment and Bengaluru’s infrastructure have positioned the city as an increasingly attractive alternative to traditional trade show locations.
Smt. Gunjan Krishna, IAS, Commissioner for Industrial Development and Director of Industries and Commerce, Government of Karnataka, highlighted the state’s commitment to supporting the sector’s evolution.
“While India already dominates the diamond market, our next leap must be into the high-end luxury space, leveraging our rich tapestry of heritage,” Krishna said. “The Government of Karnataka offers its full support to GJEPC in making Bengaluru the heart of this international trade.”
GI-Tagged Crafts Pavilion Showcases Heritage
A standout feature of this year’s show is the Crafts Pavilion, showcasing India’s Geographical Indication (GI)-tagged jewellery traditions. The pavilion highlights Banaras Meenakari, Cuttack Tarakasi filigree, Thewa jewellery of Rajasthan, and Hupari silver craft—celebrating regional craftsmanship while creating market linkages for heritage artisans.
The inclusion of GI-tagged crafts reflects a broader industry push to position India not just as a volume manufacturing hub, but as a center of specialized skill and design heritage.
Luxury Positioning Through “The Select Club”
The exhibition also features “The Select Club,” a curated luxury segment showcasing high-end couture jewellery. This dedicated space signals the industry’s growing focus on premiumization and value addition—a strategic response to rising gold prices and evolving consumer preferences.
Shaunak Parikh, Vice Chairman of GJEPC, noted the visible transformation across the exhibition floor.
“The scale and diversity of participation clearly reflect the strength of our industry,” Parikh said. “In response to rising gold prices and changing consumer preferences, businesses are innovating rapidly—and this transformation is visible across the exhibition floor.”
Thought Leadership and Networking
The show includes Innov8 Talks at the Launch Pad, hosting thought leadership seminars, panel discussions, and product launches focused on emerging trends and innovation in the gem and jewellery sector.
The Networking Night on March 21 brings together exhibitors and visitors for an evening of industry recognition, featuring the IIJS Icon Awards honoring outstanding contributions to the trade. The Hidden Star Awards felicitate the purchase and merchandising teams of prominent retailers, recognizing talent behind the scenes of the retail sector.
Market Context and Outlook
The timing of IIJS Tritiya 2026 is particularly significant given the industry’s navigation of multiple headwinds—rising gold prices, shifting global demand patterns, and geopolitical uncertainties.
The show’s strong participation numbers and expansion suggest that despite short-term volatility, the industry sees sustained opportunity in both domestic and export markets. With India’s domestic jewellery market projected to reach USD 130 billion by 2030, platforms like IIJS Tritiya serve as critical nodes connecting manufacturing capacity with retail demand.
The exhibition runs through March 23, 2026, at Bengaluru International Exhibition Centre.
