India’s GJEPC Elects New Chairman
Vipul Shah will step into the role of chairman and Kirit Bhansali will serve as vice chairman.

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.
The Latest

Moti Ferder stepped down Wednesday and will not receive any severance pay, parent company Compass Diversified said.

Lichtenberg partnered with luxury platform Mytheresa on two designs honoring the connection between mothers and daughters.

Michel Desalles allegedly murdered Omid Gholian inside World of Gold N Diamond using zip ties and then fled the country.

Gain access to the most exclusive and coveted antique pieces from trusted dealers during Las Vegas Jewelry Week.

Associate Editor Lauren McLemore shares her favorite looks from a night of style inspired by Black dandyism.


Sponsored by Instappraise

CEO Beth Gerstein discussed the company’s bridal bestsellers, the potential impact of tariffs, and the rising price of gold.

Supplier Spotlight Sponsored by GIA

The brand’s first independent location outside of Australia has opened in Beverly Hills, California.

Cathy Marsh will lead the jewelry company’s efforts in the upper Midwest and western United States.

The company has multiple strategies for dealing with tariffs, though its CEO said moving manufacturing to the U.S. is not one of them.

Connecting with your customers throughout the year is key to a successful holiday marketing push.

National Jeweler Editor-in-Chief Michelle Graff joined Michael Burpoe to talk tariffs, consumer confidence, and the sky-high price of gold.

Designer Lauren Harwell Godfrey made the piece as an homage to the 2025 gala’s theme, “Superfine: Tailoring Black Style.”

Expanded this year to include suppliers, JA’s 2025 list honors 40 up-and-coming professionals in the jewelry industry.

Located in Fort Smith, it’s the Mid-South jeweler’s first store in Northwest Arkansas.

The episode about the family-owned jeweler will premiere May 17.

The Houston-based jeweler’s new 11,000-square-foot showroom will include a Rolex boutique.

The turquoise and diamond tiara hasn’t been on the market since it was purchased by Lord Astor in 1930.

“The Duke Diamond” is the largest diamond registered at the Arkansas park so far this year.

The childhood craft of making dried pasta necklaces for Mother’s Day is all grown up as the 14-karat gold “Forever Macaroni” necklace.

Set with May’s birthstone and featuring an earthworm, this ring is a perfect celebration of spring.

“Bridal 2025–2026” includes popular styles and a dedicated section for quick pricing references of lab-grown diamond bridal jewelry.

Though currently paused, high tariffs threaten many countries where gemstones are mined. Dealers are taking measures now to prepare.

Located in Miami’s Design District, the 4,000-square-foot store is an homage to David and Sybil Yurman’s artistic roots.

May babies are lucky indeed, born in a month awash with fresh colors and celebrated with one of the most coveted colored gemstones.

The deadline to apply for the Seymour & Evelyn Holtzman Bench Scholarship is June 12.