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
ColumnistsSep 05, 2025
Peter Smith: A Lasting Lesson From Maurice Tempelsman Smith recalls a bit of wisdom the industry leader, who died last week, shared at a diamond conference years ago.
CollectionsSep 05, 2025
Piece of the Week: Jamie Turner’s ‘Victoria’ Necklace The “Victoria” necklace features a labradorite hugged by diamond accents in 18-karat yellow gold.
Policies & IssuesSep 05, 2025
Trump Takes Tariffs Case to the Supreme Court Two lower courts have moved to block the import taxes, which will remain in place as the legal battle continues.
Brought to you by
Rallying Call for the Jewelry Industry on Tariffs and Other Key IssuesJewelers of America is leading the charge to protect the industry amidst rising economic threats.
WatchesSep 05, 2025
Patrick Mahomes Is the New Hublot Brand AmbassadorThe Kansas City Chiefs quarterback shares Hublot’s dedication to pursuing greatness, the Swiss watchmaker said.
Weekly QuizSep 04, 2025
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
Events & AwardsSep 04, 2025
27 Can’t-Miss Converge Sessions, Events From sunrise yoga to tariffs talks, these are some events to check out at the upcoming inaugural event.
Brought to you by
Taking the Moment Head On: How Rio Grande Champions the Present & Future of Fine JewelryAs a leading global jewelry supplier, Rio Grande is rapidly expanding and developing new solutions to meet the needs of jewelers worldwide.
WatchesSep 04, 2025
Breitling Takes Its NFL Game to the Next Level Breitling is now the NFL’s official timepiece partner, a move that puts the brand in front of the millions of Americans who watch football.
Events & AwardsSep 04, 2025
The NYC Jewelry, Antique, & Object Show Returns in NovemberNYCJAOS is set for Nov. 21-23 in New York City’s Chelsea neighborhood.
MajorsSep 03, 2025
These Are the Nearly 300 Claire’s Stores Set to CloseA new court filing details the locations of the stores that will close, as well as the 830 that will remain open.
MajorsSep 03, 2025
Stuller Releases 2 New Catalogs The new catalogs are “Tools, Equipment, & Metals” and “Findings & Metals.”
TrendsSep 03, 2025
Amanda’s Style File: A Perfect BirthstoneSapphire’s variety of colors make it the perfect birthstone for September.
FinancialsSep 02, 2025
Lab-Grown Diamonds, Lower-Priced Fashion Jewelry Drive Signet Jewelers’ Q2 SalesThe retailer has raised its guidance after seeing total sales increase 3 percent in the second quarter, beating expectations.
MajorsSep 02, 2025
Birks CEO Jean-Christophe Bédos Steps DownNiccolò Rossi di Montelera, executive chairman of the board, was appointed as interim CEO.
MajorsSep 02, 2025
Harry Winston Opens Its Largest Flagship in JapanThe three-floor space also features the jeweler’s largest VIP salon in Japan and offers an exclusive diamond pendant.
CollectionsSep 02, 2025
Stephanie Gottlieb Debuts Silver Designs in ‘All Hours’ CollabThe collection is a collaboration between Stephanie Gottlieb Fine Jewelry and Oak and Luna, focusing on understated essentials.
AuctionsAug 29, 2025
Sotheby’s UAE Sale to Feature 32-Carat Fancy Vivid Orangy Pink DiamondThe highlight of a single-owner jewelry and watch collection, it’s estimated to fetch up to $7 million at auction this December.
FinancialsAug 29, 2025
Movado’s Q2 Sales Rebound Despite Tariff ImpactCEO Efraim Grinberg noted a resurgence in the fashion watch market.
CollectionsAug 29, 2025
Piece of the Week: Mark Davis’ ‘Bullseye’ Necklace The “Bullseye” necklace, with vintage bakelite and peridot, August’s birthstone, is the perfect transitional piece as summer turns to fall.
Supplier BulletinAug 28, 2025
Clientbook Is Helping Jewelers Turn Clienteling Challenges into Wins with Hands-On Training and CoachingSponsored by Clientbook
GradingAug 28, 2025
GIA’s New ‘Quality Assessment’ for Lab-Grown Diamonds Is Coming It will classify lab-grown stones into one of two categories, “premium” or “standard,” in lieu of giving specific color and clarity grades.
SourcingAug 28, 2025
Botswana Declares Public Health Emergency Amid Diamond Sales SlumpPresident Duma Boko addressed the country’s medical supply chain crisis in a recent televised address.
MajorsAug 28, 2025
Borsheims Names New Jewelry BuyerFormer Free People buyer Afton Robertson-Kanne recently joined the retailer.
IndependentsAug 28, 2025
Sissy’s Log Cabin Donates School Supplies to Memphis StudentsThe jeweler teamed up with two local organizations for its inaugural “Back to School and Bling” event.
EditorsAug 27, 2025
Taylor Swift’s Engagement Ring Is a Fairy Tale for Vintage Diamond CutsThe singer’s new bling, reportedly a natural old mine-cut diamond, is no paper ring.
SourcingAug 27, 2025
11,685-Carat Emerald Recovered From Zambia’s Kagem MineDubbed the “Imboo,” or “buffalo,” emerald, the rough gemstone is part of Gemfields’ latest emerald auction, which is taking place now.
