Lab-GrownAug 12, 2022
Report: State Bank of India to Begin Lending to Lab-Grown Producers SourcingAug 31, 2022
India’s GJEPC Elects New Chairman
Vipul Shah will step into the role of chairman and Kirit Bhansali will serve as vice chairman.
The GJEPC has elected a new chairman and vice chairman. From left to right, GJEPC Executive Director Sabyasachi Ray, Vice Chairman Kirit Bhansali, Chairman Vipul Shah, and outgoing Chairman Colin Shah.
Mumbai, India—The Gem & Jewellery Export Promotion Council, the governmental body that supports the diamond and jewelry trade in India, has elected a new leadership team.
Vipul Shah, former vice chairman for the 2020-2022 term, will step into the role of chairman, succeeding Colin Shah, who finished serving his two-year term.
Vipul was previously the chairman for the 2012-2015 term, and helped to organize GJEPC’s first World Diamond Conference, which was attended by Hon. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Finance Minister Smt. Nirmala Sitharaman.
He also implemented the policy of rotating board members.
“I feel privileged and energized to return to the role of GJEPC chairman in these exciting times,” Vipul said. “There are tremendous opportunities for growth ahead of us.”
The country’s gem and jewelry industry is in a growth phase, he said, and set to reach the government’s export target of $45.7 billion for fiscal 2022-2023.
Related stories will be right here …
Vipul Shah, former vice chairman for the 2020-2022 term, will step into the role of chairman, succeeding Colin Shah, who finished serving his two-year term.
Vipul was previously the chairman for the 2012-2015 term, and helped to organize GJEPC’s first World Diamond Conference, which was attended by Hon. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Finance Minister Smt. Nirmala Sitharaman.
He also implemented the policy of rotating board members.
“I feel privileged and energized to return to the role of GJEPC chairman in these exciting times,” Vipul said. “There are tremendous opportunities for growth ahead of us.”
The country’s gem and jewelry industry is in a growth phase, he said, and set to reach the government’s export target of $45.7 billion for fiscal 2022-2023.
Kirit Bhansali of Smital Gems was elected to a two-year term as vice chairman of GJEPC.
“I am honored to get the opportunity to serve the industry as vice chairman of this great organization built with years of toil by my predecessors,” said Bhansali.
“The steadfast government support towards infrastructure development projects like the state-of-the-art Mega CFC in SEEPZ and the upcoming world-class India Jewelry Park Mumbai will nurture an export-friendly ecosystem that underpins the industry’s growth ambitions.”
The Santacruz Electronic Export Processing Zone (SEEPZ) is a special economic zone in Mumbai that is currently home to two new projects: the building of a mega common facility center to support the design and manufacturing of gem and jewelry products and the construction of standard design factories, scheduled to be operational by May 2023.
Previously, Bhansali served on the council as the convener of the awards committee, organizing several India Gem & Jewellery Awards.
He is currently the chairman of the Indian Institute of Gems & Jewellery and India Jewellery Park Mumbai.
As per GJEPC’s rules of succession, Bhansali will step in as chairman in 2024.
More on Sourcing
The Latest
MajorsNov 21, 2025
Natural Diamond Council Names New CEOAmber Pepper’s main focus will be on digital innovation and engaging younger consumers.
CollectionsNov 21, 2025
Piece of the Week: Melissa Kaye’s ‘Rocky Infinity’ NecklaceThe lariat necklace features a 4.88-carat oval-cut Zambian emerald in 18-karat yellow gold.
AuctionsNov 20, 2025
Vanderbilt Jewels Shine at Phillips Sale, Pink Diamond WithdrawnA 43-carat sapphire brooch from the Vanderbilt collection was the top lot of the Geneva sale.
Brought to you by
Impacting Tomorrow TodayHow Jewelers of America’s 20 Under 40 are leading to ensure a brighter future for the jewelry industry.
CollectionsNov 20, 2025
Rebecca Rau Jewels Debuts With ‘Then & Now’ CollectionRau is a fourth-generation art and antique dealer from M.S. Rau gallery whose first jewelry collection merges artifacts with modern design.
Weekly QuizNov 20, 2025
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
Policies & IssuesNov 20, 2025
RJC Names New Executive DirectorFormer De Beers sustainability leader Purvi Shah will take over the role in February 2026.
WatchesNov 20, 2025
LVMH Takes Minority Stake in Citizen Group-Owned Movement Maker La Joux-Perret is based in La Chaux-de-Fonds, Switzerland, and makes solar quartz as well as mechanical watch movements.
Brought to you by
Roseco Releases New Full-Line CatalogRoseco’s 704-page catalog showcases new lab-grown diamonds, findings, tools & more—available in print or interactive digital editions.
GradingNov 20, 2025
Julia Griffith Joins SSEF as Head of EducationShe previously taught at Gem-A and is the founder of The Gem Academy.
CollectionsNov 19, 2025
Larkspur & Hawk Celebrates 25 Years With Helena Bonham Carter CampaignThe British actress and her daughter modeled pieces from the brand’s new “Palette” capsule for its “Once Upon a Time” holiday campaign.
TechnologyNov 19, 2025
Google Has a New Form for Reporting ‘Review Bombing’ Attacks Plus, the tech giant shares the steps retailers should take if they believe they’re a victim of a review extortion scam.
IndependentsNov 19, 2025
Houston Jeweler Keith Shaftel Retires, Next Generation Steps In Danny and Gaby Shaftel are now Shaftel Diamonds’ CEO and chief operating officer, respectively.
TrendsNov 19, 2025
Midas Chain Releases 2025 Holiday Style GuideThe jewelry manufacturer’s seasonal offering features its new “Melodie” bangles, as well as mini stud earrings and layering pieces.
Events & AwardsNov 18, 2025
NYC Jewelry Week 2025: 12 Must-See EventsWith more than 140 activations taking place in New York City now through Nov. 23, these 12 events are can’t-miss moments.
MajorsNov 18, 2025
Lugano Diamonds Files for Bankruptcy, Looking for BuyerThe Chapter 11 filing follows the resignation of CEO Moti Ferder, who stepped down after an investigation into the company’s finances.
Events & AwardsNov 18, 2025
A Giant, Bejeweled Moldy Berry Is on Display in LAThe artwork is part of an exhibition featuring works by Kathleen Ryan, an artist known for her gemstone-studded rotting fruit sculptures.
CrimeNov 17, 2025
Police Searching for 2 Suspects in Murder of Father, Son Jewelers Faustino Alamo Dominguez and his son, 25-year-old Luis Angel Alamo, were gunned down following an armed robbery at their jewelry store.
GradingNov 17, 2025
IGI Announces New President of North AmericaTiffany & Co. veteran Jeffrey Bennett has stepped into the role.
MajorsNov 17, 2025
Look Inside Robbins Brothers Fine Jewelers’ New Pasadena FlagshipThe showroom is located in a historic 1920s building in the Playhouse District.
Policies & IssuesNov 14, 2025
U.S., Switzerland Reach Deal That Drops Tariff to 15%The Swiss government announced the deal, which cuts the tax on Swiss imports by more than half, on social media Friday morning.
AuctionsNov 14, 2025
Napoleon’s Diamond Brooch Blows Away Auction Estimates A buyer paid $4.4 million for the piece, which Napoleon wore on his hat for special occasions and left behind when he fled Waterloo.
FinancialsNov 14, 2025
Richemont’s Q2 Jewelry Sales Up 12%Plus, how tariffs and the rising price of gold are affecting its watch and jewelry brands.
CollectionsNov 14, 2025
Piece of the Week: Silvia Furmanovich’s ‘Butterflies in Flight’ Jewelry BoxFurmanovich designed the box to hold Mellerio’s “Color Queen,” a high jewelry collection consisting of 10 rings.
Events & AwardsNov 14, 2025
JCK Names New Event DirectorJennifer Hopf, who has been with JCK since 2022, will lead the execution of the long-running jewelry trade show.
IndependentsNov 13, 2025
127-Year-Old New Orleans Jeweler to CloseAdler’s Jewelry is set to close its two stores as 82-year-old owner Coleman E. Adler II retires.
IndependentsNov 13, 2025
Green Lake Jewelry Works to Move to New Seattle StudioFounder Jim Tuttle shared how a dedication to craftsmanship and meaningful custom jewelry fueled the retailer’s double-digit growth.
MajorsNov 13, 2025
Vahan Jewelry Founder Leon ‘Sacha’ Der Calousdian Dies at 85The third-generation jeweler is remembered as a passionate creative with a love of art, traveling and sailboat racing.
