Events & AwardsAug 05, 2025
JA Announces Seymour & Evelyn Holtzman Bench Scholarship WinnersEvents & AwardsAug 08, 2025
GJEPC’s Jewellers for Hope Celebrates 10 Years of Fundraising
The organization has raised more than $1.3 million for charity since its inception.
GJEPC’s charitable arm, Jewellers for Hope, recently held its 10th annual fundraising event, raising money for the RK HIV AIDS Research and Care Centre.
Mumbai, India—The Gem & Jewellery Export Promotion Council (GJEPC) recently held its 10th annual Jewellers for Hope event in Mumbai, India.
The charity fundraiser was held alongside the IIJS Premiere 2025 trade show.
The event was organized in partnership with De Beers Group, World Gold Council, Gemological Institute of America (GIA), and HRD Antwerp.
Since its inception in 2014, the charity has raised more than $1.3 million, donating the funds to non-governmental organizations across healthcare, education, women’s empowerment, and social welfare.
The funds raised at this year’s event will go to the RK HIV AIDS Research and Care Centre.
The organization offers 33,000 free medical camps staffed by a team of doctors from hospitals across more than 50 Indian cities. It performs surgeries and also offers glasses, wheelchairs, and medicines to those in need.
GJEPC Chairman Kirit Bhansali gave the opening address, highlighting the impact Jewellers for Hope has made in the last decade.
“Jewellers for Hope reflects the gem and jewelry industry’s enduring belief that business and benevolence go hand in hand,” he said.
“As this initiative completes ten years, it underscores the industry’s deep sense of purpose and its ongoing commitment to social impact.”
Related stories will be right here …
The charity fundraiser was held alongside the IIJS Premiere 2025 trade show.
The event was organized in partnership with De Beers Group, World Gold Council, Gemological Institute of America (GIA), and HRD Antwerp.
Since its inception in 2014, the charity has raised more than $1.3 million, donating the funds to non-governmental organizations across healthcare, education, women’s empowerment, and social welfare.
The funds raised at this year’s event will go to the RK HIV AIDS Research and Care Centre.
The organization offers 33,000 free medical camps staffed by a team of doctors from hospitals across more than 50 Indian cities. It performs surgeries and also offers glasses, wheelchairs, and medicines to those in need.
GJEPC Chairman Kirit Bhansali gave the opening address, highlighting the impact Jewellers for Hope has made in the last decade.
“Jewellers for Hope reflects the gem and jewelry industry’s enduring belief that business and benevolence go hand in hand,” he said.
“As this initiative completes ten years, it underscores the industry’s deep sense of purpose and its ongoing commitment to social impact.”
During the event, GJEPC also announced it had given approval to rename IIJS to IIJS Bharat.
In honor of the renaming, a portion of the money raised was also donated to the Indian Army to be put toward a yet-to-be-announced project.
Indian actor and producer Anil Kapoor made an appearance at the event, giving a speech about Jewellers for Hope’s work and the importance of giving back and supporting those who can make a difference.
“Every act of service matters. Even the smallest effort can help spark hope in someone’s life,” said Indian actor and producer Anil Kapoor during his speech at the event.
“What I truly admire about Jewellers for Hope is how it makes purpose the main star. Behind all the razzle-dazzle, there is a sincere effort to support causes like healthcare, education, women’s empowerment, and social well-being,” said Kapoor.
“Every act of service matters. Even the smallest effort can help spark hope in someone’s life.”
The evening closed with a tribute to M.P. Ahammed, chairman of Malabar Group, honoring his business legacy and philanthropy. A “Dinner with an Icon” auction was held, with all proceeds benefiting a charity of his choice.
Several notable officials and industry members were in attendance, including Vivek Phansalkar, former commissioner of Mumbai Police; Shweta Harit, senior vice president at De Beers; Sachin Jain, regional CEO of India at the World Gold Council; Sriram Natarajan, managing director of GIA India; and Shaunak Parikh, vice chairman of GJEPC.
More on Events & Awards
The Latest
ColumnistsMay 25, 2026
The Key Mindset for Better Trade Show BuyingBuying discipline at trade shows starts with clarity about your inventory levels, Smith writes.
FinancialsMay 22, 2026
Richemont’s Jewelry Brands Lead the Charge in Q4The company’s jewelry sales were up in Q4 and the fiscal year, with Richemont raising prices in part because of the cost of gold.
CollectionsMay 22, 2026
Leigh Maxwell Celebrates 5 Years at Couture With ‘Bauble’ CollectionThe “Bauble” capsule collection of colorful one-of-a-kinds includes our Piece of the Week, the “Bauble” earrings, featuring rose zircon.
Brought to you by
All Eyes on Gold Prices. Alternatives to Look For. And What to BEWARE of in VegasAs gold prices rise, today’s retailers are looking for alternatives at prices that will appeal to wider audiences.
MajorsMay 22, 2026
Stuller’s New Packaging, Display Catalog Is Out The updated catalog has a newly dedicated section for gift wrapping.
Weekly QuizMay 21, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
PodcastsMay 21, 2026
Episode 5: Sotheby’s Frank Everett Puts the Auction Market in PerspectiveEverett covers colored stones’ surging popularity, the mellow return of the “Mellon Blue,” and his “The Devil Wears Prada” doppelgänger.
IndependentsMay 21, 2026
Springer’s Jewelers’ New Flagship Will Serve Next-Gen Luxury ShoppersFourth-generation CEO Lilly Mullen wants to emphasize experience, connection, and personalized service.
Brought to you by
How Modern Training Is Becoming a Competitive Advantage for Jewelry RetailersWith the trade and customer trust in mind, GIA® developed NextGem™ – on-demand training designed specifically for retail.
SourcingMay 21, 2026
Botswana, Angola Join WFDBThe addition of the diamond-producing countries as nation affiliated members broadens the federation’s global representation, WFDB said.
CrimeMay 20, 2026
NYPD Warns of Jewelry Swap Scams Targeting SeniorsThe NYPD is warning elderly New Yorkers to keep their jewelry hidden when walking outside to avoid being a target.
IndependentsMay 20, 2026
Adornment & Theory’s New Store Feels Like Home Designer Viviana Langhoff has realized her dream of owning a space for her Chicago jewelry store that looks and feels like her brand.
Events & AwardsMay 20, 2026
Here Is Couture’s 2026 Education Lineup The sessions will run from Friday, May 29, to Sunday, May 31, with one being a live taping of an episode of Couture’s podcast.
Lab-GrownMay 20, 2026
Savannah Friedkin Jewelry Names New CEOFormer Stephanie Gottlieb Fine Jewelry executive Morgan P. Richardson is joining the lab-grown diamond jewelry brand.
WatchesMay 19, 2026
Here’s the AP x Swatch Pocket Watch That Caused PandemoniumThe $400 pocket watch is a blend of Audemars Piguet’s iconic eight-sided Royal Oak and Swatch’s unserious Pop watches from the ‘80s.
CollectionsMay 19, 2026
Chris Ploof’s New Collection Makes an Ancient Metal ModernWith gold prices on the rise, the “Modern Electrum” collection uses an alternative, non-tarnishing metal alloy composed of gold and silver.
IndependentsMay 19, 2026
Ellen and Michael Fruchtman Retire, Sell Marketing Agency Fruchtman Marketing has new owners, Erin Moyer-Carballea and Manuel Carballea, and will relocate to Miami.
ColumnistsMay 19, 2026
Peter Smith: The (Mostly) Immutable Sales TruthsIn a column for the 2026 State of the Majors issue, Smith lists 10 time-tested principles about sales that still ring true.
ColumnistsMay 18, 2026
Edahn Golan: What a K-Shaped Economy Means for Fine JewelryIn a column for the 2026 State of the Majors issue, Golan spells out how the growing economic divide in the U.S. is reshaping the market.
CollectionsMay 18, 2026
Foundrae’s New Collection Taps Into JoyThe “Limitless Expansion of Joy and Hope” collection evokes summer through colored gemstones and motifs of butterflies and florals.
CollectionsMay 18, 2026
Hancocks London Acquires Historic ‘Inchiquin’ EmeraldThe jewel, circa 1890, is from the late Victorian era and was owned by descendants of the last high king of Ireland.
Events & AwardsMay 18, 2026
Here Are the 2026 JCK Industry Fund Grant Recipients This is what the nine recipients plan to do with the funds.
AuctionsMay 15, 2026
American Collector Ponies Up Almost $17K for John Wayne’s RingThe Western star’s 14-karat gold signet ring sold for six times its low estimate following a bidding war at U.K. auction house Elmwood’s.
Events & AwardsMay 15, 2026
JA, MJSA To Sponsor Roundtable at TJSThe discussion, "Rebuilding the Jewelry Workforce," will take place on Saturday, May 16, in Troy, Michigan.
SourcingMay 15, 2026
State of Diamonds: The Way Forward for Natural DiamondsThe jewelry industry is reassessing its positioning as Gen Z reshapes the retail landscape and lab grown continues to gain market share.
AuctionsMay 14, 2026
White Diamonds Lead Sotheby’s Auction, Blue Diamond Does Not SellA matching pair of 18.38-carat, D-color diamonds from Botswana’s Jwaneng mine sold for $3.3 million, the top lot of the jewelry auction.
Supplier BulletinMay 14, 2026
A Diamond Is Forever Continues Desert Diamonds – Bridal ReinvigoratedSponsored by A Diamond Is Forever
SourcingMay 14, 2026
State of Colored Stones: The Spirit of Young American Gemstone CuttersThe next generation of lapidarists are entrepreneurial, engaged online, and see the craft as a means for artistic expression.
