Policies & IssuesApr 11, 2024
SRK Exports’ Journey Toward Net Zero Impact SourcingApr 09, 2024
Reinvigorating SEEPZ, the Epicenter of India’s Studded Jewelry Exports
The zone’s modernization will enhance and increase India’s jewelry manufacturing capabilities while aiding small and mid-sized businesses.
The Bharat Ratnam Mega Common Facilitation Centre is one of the main features of the revamping and modernization of jewelry manufacturing operations within the special export zone known as SEEPZ in Mumbai.
Mumbai—It is India’s single largest cluster of modern jewelry manufacturing facilities, the engine powering its studded jewelry export industry.
It singlehandedly delivers more jewelry to the United States than most other supplier countries. And it lies in a designated export zone covering less than one square kilometer (less than half a square mile) in Mumbai North-West.
The Santacruz Electronics Export Processing Zone, or SEEPZ as this area is more widely known, is being revamped with a new outlook and infrastructure to “refurbish and rejuvenate” operations, particularly those in the gem and jewelry sector.
The most prominent symbol of SEEPZ 2.0, as it is known, is Bharat Ratnam, a Mega Common Facilitation Centre (CFC) that was inaugurated in January by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
A senior member of Modi’s cabinet, India’s Minister of Commerce & Industry Piyush Goyal, presided over the commencement-of-operations ceremony in the middle of March, an indication of the importance attached to this project.
The Mega CFC clearly symbolizes the new direction in which India’s studded jewelry export industry is moving. (Studded jewelry refers to jewelry that is set with diamonds and/or colored gemstones and the precious metal content is relatively low.)
The six-floor, 115,000-square-foot complex is a one-stop center that will facilitate the upgrading of what the industry describes as the “three Ts”—technology, techniques, and training – that will be crucial to take jewelry exports to the next level.
Three floors are dedicated to a comprehensive range of cutting-edge technical services including CAD and CAD rendering; 3D printing in metal, ceramic, resin, and wax; and casting in gold, platinum, and silver.
Manufacturers, irrespective of size, can use these machines on a time-share basis.
Colin Shah, a leading jewelry exporter and head of the working group that spearheaded the Bharat Ratnam project, describes it as a “360-degree service model to engage in high-level jewelry manufacturing.”
According to Shah, “This is a pathbreaking concept for democratizing access to entrepreneurs big and small, catering to global and domestic markets.”
According to Shah, “This is a pathbreaking concept for democratizing access to entrepreneurs big and small, catering to global and domestic markets.”
It also has a modern Skill Training Center that will provide over 1,500 personnel with in-depth knowledge of the latest techniques and technology each year, about 25 percent of whom will be individuals with special needs.
Leading exporters believe the Mega CFC will help enhance the quality, diversity, and efficiency of jewelry offerings, and enable scaling up the number of pieces for export, boosting economies of scale for the trade.
The vision of SEEPZ 2.0 also encompasses replacing the 50-year-old buildings with new, modern structures more suited to the current technologies, and fully equipped with state-of-the-art systems.
The New Enterprises & Services Towers, also known as NEST 01, NEST 02 and NEST 03, will consist of three six-floor towers with more than 500,000 square feet of built-out areas. They will rehouse all existing units of the gem and jewelry industry and also offer space to new entrants wishing to set up operations in SEEPZ.
Between 2021-2023, studded jewelry exports from SEEPZ have ranged between $2.75 billion and $3 billion, figures released by India’s Gem & Jewellery Export Promotion Council show, or more than 50 percent of India’s total studded jewelry exports.
According to estimates of the SEEPZ Gem & Jewellery Manufacturers Association (SGJMA) a few years ago, SEEPZ alone enjoyed an approximately 18 percent share of total U.S. studded jewelry imports, or about 80% of the country’s total supply to the U.S. market).
Industry leaders aver that with the better infrastructure and technology, jewelry exports from SEEPZ can be expected to grow exponentially, possibly even reaching between $7 billion and $10 billion in a few years.
Shah, the head of the working group for the Mega CFC, answered more questions from National Jeweler about SEEPZ 2.0 and what it will mean for the future of jewelry manufacturing in India.
National Jeweler: There are a variety of new technologies and machines available in the Mega CFC. Which of these are the most important?
Colin Shah: Among the range of technologies, I would highlight the large 3D metal printers, which are the first of their kind to be installed anywhere in India and, linked to that, the laser color printers, as well as plating facilities in various type of metals and finishes.
Alongside [these] are the lab facilities for testing and certifying durability, strength, and other parameters in studded jewelry.
NJ: What new capabilities will these add to jewelry manufacturing operations in India?
CS: With designing shifting more and more to CAD, I think the advantages of the large [3D] metal printers are quite clear, especially for the MSME (micro, small and medium enterprise) units.
Further, with plating in various colors also becoming possible, smaller manufacturers can take up orders outside their regular areas of expertise. Those doing gold, for example, can now easily take smaller orders of say palladium or titanium, which they earlier would have found difficult to handle or even had to refuse.
As for the lab testing facility, clearly instead of sending new lines to Europe or the Far East for certification … manufacturers will now only have to reach Gate 1 on the border of the zone; so much simpler, faster, and more economical.
NJ: What impact has the vision of SEEPZ 2.0 had on the industry?
CS: The government plans to totally revamp SEEPZ has provided a huge boost to the industry. There is a new vibrancy, and the public-private partnership has worked so well that we got the Mega CFC up and running within 14 months after the start of the project.
Moreover, the construction of NEST 01 and 02 as well as NEST 03, which is in the pipeline, opens new possibilities for smaller units that were facing constraints due to aging infrastructure. The number of units in SEEPZ is likely to go up by the time all three become operational in about a year from now.
With manufacturing units outside the zone also being given access to the Bharat Ratnam facilities, many units there can also take up exports using the e-commerce and postal/courier dispatch mode for smaller orders as well.
More on Sourcing
The Latest
MajorsApr 01, 2026
Foundrae Sues Pandora for Allegedly Copying Its Medallion DesignsFoundrae also accused the jewelry giant of copying its mood board style of marketing.
AuctionsApr 01, 2026
John Jacob Astor IV’s Titanic Pocket Watch Heads to AuctionA Patek Philippe for Tiffany & Co. timepiece owned by the American businessman who died on the Titanic will be offered at Freeman's Chicago.
SurveysApr 01, 2026
Consumers’ Outlook Improves Again in MarchThe Conference Board’s Consumer Confidence Index edged up, with optimism about the present outweighing worries about the future.
Brought to you by
Protect Your Customers and Your BusinessYou deserve to know what you are selling–to protect your customers as well as your business and your reputation.
IndependentsApr 01, 2026
Zachary’s Jewelers’ Constance Polamalu to Release Children’s BookThe retailer’s Zach Bear gift comes to life in “Zach Bear and the Window Necklace,” which centers on curiosity, bravery, and helping.
Weekly QuizMar 26, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
Events & AwardsApr 01, 2026
AGA Opens 2026 Gemological Scholarship, Research Grant ApplicationsApplications are open for the AGA Gemological Scholarship Program through May 15, and until June 2027 for the Gemological Research Grant.
ColumnistsMar 31, 2026
Q1 Clues That Reveal Where Your Jewelry Store’s Sales Are Heading These customer behavior patterns say a lot about how successful your jewelry store is going to be this year, Emmanuel Raheb writes.
Brought to you by
Is This You? Every Jeweler Has This Problem; We Have the Solution.Every jeweler faces the same challenge: helping customers protect what they love. Here’s the solution designed for today’s jewelry business.
CollectionsMar 31, 2026
Mejuri Adds Silver to ‘Puzzle’ CollectionMejuri’s popular collection of 18-karat yellow gold vermeil rings debuted in sterling silver alongside new “Puzzle” slider charms.
CollectionsMar 31, 2026
Buddha Mama, Ashley Longshore to Host Pop-Up in DallasThe Miami-based jewelry brand and the NYC-based artist will be in Dallas from April 9-11.
EditorsMar 30, 2026
Tom Moses Looks Back on His Decades at GIA Moses, who will leave the lab in May after nearly 50 years, discusses his start in the business, gemstones that stand out, and what’s next.
TrendsMar 30, 2026
Oscar Heyman Debuts First Spring CatalogThe new catalog, which showcases 35 one-of-a-kind pieces of jewelry, is a compliment to the company’s popular holiday catalog.
SourcingMar 30, 2026
Rio Tinto Hauls Last Load from DiavikProduction has ceased at the Canadian diamond mine, which has yielded more than 150 million carats of rough diamonds in its 23-year run.
MajorsMar 30, 2026
Tanishq Opens First New England LocationThe store opening marks the 10th United States location for the India-based jewelry retailer.
MajorsMar 27, 2026
Saks Global Has Changed Its Mind About Closing These 3 StoresTwo Saks Fifth Avenue locations, one in Florida and one in California, and one Neiman Marcus store are off the chopping block.
IndependentsMar 27, 2026
Jimmy West, Longtime LJG Executive Director, Dies at 72West, who started in the art department at the Leading Jewelers Guild in 1979, is remembered for his patience, kindness, and dedication.
CollectionsMar 27, 2026
Itä’s ‘Yarí Whirl’ Ring Tells Every Side of the StoryIn the “Tesoro” version of the ring, our Piece of the Week, each side of the gold hexagonal nugget has a unique colored gemstone design.
WatchesMar 26, 2026
Q&A: Citizen Watch America President Jeffrey Cohen on Eco-Drive’s 50th AnniversaryCohen discusses the evolution of Citizen’s light-powered technology, the brand’s cross-generational appeal, and tariffs.
IndependentsMar 26, 2026
Peter Smith Pens Book on Human Behavior in Sales“Essentially Human: On Sales and Salespeople" reveals the underlying human traits and behaviors of the most successful sales professionals.
CollectionsMar 26, 2026
Lionheart Celebrates 13 Years of ‘Cassandane’The collection features symbols of love, luck, and light, based on the story of Queen Cassandane and Cyrus the Great of Persia.
Events & AwardsMar 26, 2026
NAJA, Instappraise Introduce New ScholarshipIt’s the third scholarship to be launched as part of the partnership to help appraisers advance their professional credentials.
Events & AwardsMar 26, 2026
JA Still Accepting Entries for 2026 CASE AwardsThe deadline for entries in the jewelry design competition has been extended to April 3.
SourcingMar 25, 2026
Rob Bates Steps Down as JCK News Director After 28 years with JCK, the veteran industry journalist is launching his own publication on Substack called The Jewelry Wire.
GradingMar 25, 2026
New York’s Natural History Museum, Wiley To Build Minerals DatabaseWiley said the project will give scientists worldwide access to the American Museum of Natural’s History renowned mineral collection.
CollectionsMar 25, 2026
Boochier Turns Flower Friendship Bracelets Into Fine JewelryThe “Flower Puff” collection looks to beaded flower friendship bracelets from childhood, turning the silhouette into nostalgic fine jewelry.
Policies & IssuesMar 25, 2026
Community for Ethical Jewelry to Host Bench Jeweler Shortage WebinarSet for April 2, the webinar will discuss how the jewelry industry can address the workforce gap.
IndependentsMar 24, 2026
Lisa Bayer, Illustrator and Beloved Member of the Muse Family, Dies at 64Bayer, founder of Lisa Bayer Designs, is remembered as “a bright light in every room.”
