CrimeJun 18, 2025
7 Men Indicted in $100M Brinks Jewelry HeistThe heist happened in Lebec, California, in 2022 when a Brinks truck was transporting goods from one show in California to another.
SourcingMar 22, 2019
Construction of a 21-Acre ‘Jewelry Park’ in Mumbai Is Underway
The industrial park will feature manufacturing and training facilities as well as residential housing for workers in the gem and jewelry industry.
India’s gem and jewelry sector employs 5 million workers, according to the Gem and Jewellery Export Promotion Council.
Mumbai, India—The foundation stone has been laid for a 21-acre “jewelry park” in Mumbai, the Gem and Jewellery Export Promotion Council announced earlier this month.
The industrial park, located in the Maharashtra state, will feature design and technology centers, training facilities, common areas, manufacturing units and other commercial support services.
India’s Minister of Commerce & Industry and Civil Aviation Suresh Prabhu attended the recent stone-laying ceremony for the new facility, along with several members of the GJEPC, including Chairman Pramod Kumar Agrawal and Vice Chairman Colin Shah.
Maharashtra, which spans across west-central India, is home to the Bollywood film industry and historic sights, including Aga Khan Palace.
The jewelry center will boast state-of-the-art machinery, including a suction and drainage system that collects gold dust that is expected to reduce the gold loss ratio from 10 percent to 3 percent.
Residential housing, ranging from 500 to more than 1,000 square feet, will also be available, taking a page from the book of jewelry manufacturing centers in China and Turkey.
The compound’s infrastructure will include its own system of roads, telecommunication lines, solar energy, a water treatment plant and rainwater harvesting.
The project is expected to generate 100,000 jobs and boost overall economic development in Maharashtra.
The industrial park, located in the Maharashtra state, will feature design and technology centers, training facilities, common areas, manufacturing units and other commercial support services.
India’s Minister of Commerce & Industry and Civil Aviation Suresh Prabhu attended the recent stone-laying ceremony for the new facility, along with several members of the GJEPC, including Chairman Pramod Kumar Agrawal and Vice Chairman Colin Shah.
Maharashtra, which spans across west-central India, is home to the Bollywood film industry and historic sights, including Aga Khan Palace.
The jewelry center will boast state-of-the-art machinery, including a suction and drainage system that collects gold dust that is expected to reduce the gold loss ratio from 10 percent to 3 percent.
Residential housing, ranging from 500 to more than 1,000 square feet, will also be available, taking a page from the book of jewelry manufacturing centers in China and Turkey.
The compound’s infrastructure will include its own system of roads, telecommunication lines, solar energy, a water treatment plant and rainwater harvesting.
The project is expected to generate 100,000 jobs and boost overall economic development in Maharashtra.
Suresh Prabhu, India’s Minister of Commerce & Industry and Civil Aviation, attended the foundation laying ceremony alongside other government officials and GJEPC committee members.
GJEPC did not respond to inquiries about when it expects the park to be completed.
A mix of government subsidies, including special incentives by the cabinet sub-committee for industry, and investments from the gems and jewelry industry, are being used to fund the project’s construction.
Minister Prabhu said the park was “symbolic of the direction of the future economic march” of India.
“We have to inject new energy into enterprise and business in order to generate more jobs and prosperity for the common man,” he said.
The state’s goal is to double its merchandise exports from $500 billion to $1 trillion, which GJEPC Chairman Agrawal expects Maharashtra to reach by 2025.
The gem and jewelry sector is expected to play a significant role in that journey; the process is underway to create a Domestic Gem & Jewelry Council to work toward the goal of doubling exports in the sector to $80 billion.
India’s gem and jewelry exports currently account for $40 billion, contributing 14 percent to the country’s total merchandise exports and employing 5 million workers, according to GJEPC.
More on Sourcing
The Latest
AuctionsJun 18, 2025
Historic ‘Marie-Thérèse Pink’ Diamond Fetches $14M at Christie’sThe 10-carat fancy purple-pink diamond with potential links to Marie Antoinette headlined the white-glove jewelry auction this week.
EditorsJun 18, 2025
Q&A: Caryl Capeci Dives Into Cruise Jewelry ShoppingThe Starboard Cruises SVP discusses who is shopping for jewelry on ships, how much they’re spending, and why brands should get on board.
Brought to you by
Investing in the Next Generation of Bench JewelersThe Seymour & Evelyn Holtzman Bench Scholarship from Jewelers of America returns for a second year.
AuctionsJun 18, 2025
16th-Century ‘Gresham Grasshopper’ Ring Sells for $56KThe historic signet ring exceeded its estimate at Noonans Mayfair’s jewelry auction this week.
Weekly QuizJun 12, 2025
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
CollectionsJun 18, 2025
Kirk Kara Celebrates 135 Years With New JewelsTo mark the milestone, the brand is introducing new non-bridal fine jewelry designs for the first time in two decades.
TechnologyJun 18, 2025
Alex Brown Named President of Smithee GroupFounder and longtime CEO Ben Smithee will stay with the agency, transitioning into the role of founding partner and strategic advisor.
Brought to you by
Jewelers of America is Headed to Las Vegas for JCK 2025The countdown is on for the JCK Las Vegas Show and JA is pulling out all the stops.
EditorsJun 17, 2025
The Best New Jewelry from Couture 2025, Part 1Associate Editor Natalie Francisco shares 20 of her favorite pieces from the jewelry collections that debuted at Couture.
ColumnistsJun 17, 2025
Peter Smith: Is Your Comp Plan a Hiring Hindrance?If you want to attract good salespeople and generate a stream of “sleeping money” for your jewelry store, then you are going to have to pay.
AuctionsJun 17, 2025
Colored Gemstones, Signed Jewels Shine in Sotheby’s High Jewelry SaleThe top lot was a colorless Graff diamond, followed by a Burmese ruby necklace by Marcus & Co.
MajorsJun 17, 2025
Amanda Gizzi Gets a Promotion at JAGizzi, who has been in the industry since 2001, is now Jewelers of America’s senior vice president of corporate affairs.
MajorsJun 17, 2025
Kering Names Automotive Exec as Its New CEOLuca de Meo, a 30-year veteran of the auto industry, will succeed longtime CEO François-Henri Pinault.
EditorsJun 16, 2025
Q&A: Bogolo Joy Kenewendo on Mining, Tariffs, and the Energy of Las VegasFollowing visits to Vegas and New York, Botswana’s minerals minister sat down with Michelle Graff to discuss the state of the diamond market.
IndependentsJun 16, 2025
Greenwich St. Jewelers Launches Commitment Campaign Celebrating LGBTQ+ CouplesThe “Your Love Has the Perfect Ring” campaign showcases the strength of love and need for inclusivity and representation, the jeweler said.
MajorsJun 16, 2025
Ivette Nersesyan-Stephanopoulos Joins Tiffany & Co.The former De Beers executive is the jewelry house’s new director of high jewelry for the Americas.
MajorsJun 16, 2025
Catbird Names WNBA Star Nyara Sabally as Its New Brand AmbassadorThe New York Liberty forward is the first athlete to represent the Brooklyn-based jewelry brand.
CollectionsJun 13, 2025
Piece of the Week: Robinson Pelham’s Pear EarringsTake a bite out of the 14-karat yellow gold “Fruits of Love Pear” earrings featuring peridots, diamond stems, and tsavorite leaves.
Events & AwardsJun 13, 2025
AGA to Host ‘Diamonds From Mine to Market’ Education ConferenceThe one-day virtual event will feature speakers from De Beers, GIA, and Gemworld International.
EditorsJun 12, 2025
15 Questions With Jewelry Photographer Ella SophieThe California-based creative talks jewelry photography in the modern era and tackles FAQs about working with a pro for the first time.
AuctionsJun 12, 2025
Vintage Patek Philippe From the ‘50s Sells for $4M at Sotheby’s Al Capone’s pocket watch also found a buyer, though it went for less than half of what it did at auction four years ago.
Events & AwardsJun 12, 2025
Gabriel Love Foundation Introduces Scholarship Honoring Elias GabrielThe foundation has also expanded its “Stronger Together” initiative with Jewelers for Children.
AuctionsJun 12, 2025
Former De Beers Exec Celine Assimon Joins BonhamsAssimon is the auction house’s new chief commercial officer.
EditorsJun 11, 2025
Q&A: Al Cook on Differentiating Natural Diamonds, Traceability, and TariffsThe De Beers Group CEO discusses the company’s new “beacon” program, the likelihood diamonds will be exempt from tariffs, and “Origin.”
MajorsJun 11, 2025
Pandora Bets on Las Vegas for First North American FlagshipThe Danish jewelry giant hosted its grand opening last weekend, complete with a Pandora pink roulette wheel.
GradingJun 11, 2025
Tiffany Stevens Exits IGI, Lab Appoints New Board LeaderIndustry veteran Anoop Mehta is the new chairman and independent director of the IGI board.
Events & AwardsJun 11, 2025
Kering Announces Winners of Sustainability-Focused AwardThe winners of the inaugural “Kering Generation Award x Jewelry” are student Lee Min Seo and China-based startup Ianyan.
