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.
SourcingJun 24, 2020
India’s GJEPC Appoints New Chairman
Colin Shah is the new head of the Gem & Jewellery Export Promotion Council, taking over for Pramod Agrawal, whose term has expired.
Kama Schachter Managing Director Colin Shah, left, is the new chairman of the Gem & Jewellery Export Promotion Council while Vipul Shah, right, will serve as vice chairman.
Mumbai—The Gem & Jewellery Export Promotion Council, the governmental body that supports the diamond and jewelry trade in India, announced this week it has new leadership.
On Tuesday, GJPEC Vice Chairman Colin Shah succeeded Pramod Kumar Agrawal as chairman, and council members unanimously elected Vipul Shah as vice chairman.
Both men will serve two-year terms.
Colin is the managing director of Kama Schachter Jewelry Pvt. Ltd., which ranks among the top 10 diamond jewelry manufacturers in Asia.
He is active with the GJPEC, the SEEPZ Gem and Jewelry Manufacturers Association, the Young President Organization and the Entrepreneurs Organization.
The company is RJC certified and BPP compliant, and is one of the only diamond manufacturers at which women make up 50 percent of the workforce.
Vipul, meanwhile, is the CEO and managing director of Asian Star Co. Ltd., one of the country’s largest diamond companies. He previously served as GJEPC chairman, from October 2012 to September 2015.
Both Colin and Vipul noted their terms begin at a challenging, uncertain time due to COVID-19, which has dampened consumer demand for diamonds worldwide and hobbled the world’s major trading hubs.
In India, polished diamond exports were down 80 percent year-over-year in April and May.
Colin said policies that make doing business easier, the availability of bank financing—a major issue right now for the midstream sector of the diamond pipeline—and leveraging e-commerce for trade and business are among the priorities for the GJEPC right now.
“The new term at GJEPC starts amid acute uncertainties due to the ongoing COVID-19 crisis in India and the world over. It demands a paradigm shift for the industry,” he said.
“The council is focusing towards recalibrating itself by digitalization across verticals, exploring new ways of reaching customers and unconventional ways of creating demand for gems and jewelry.”
Others elected to serve the GJPEC for the 2020-2022 terms were as follows:
Ashok Gajera (regional chairman-west);
Prakash Pincha (regional chairman-east),
Nirmal Bardiya (regional chairman-Rajasthan);
Dinesh Navadiya (regional chairman-Gujarat);
Mahender Tayal (regional chairman-south); and
Ashok Seth (regional chairman-north).
Sanjay Shah, Dilip Shah, Milan Chokshi, Russell Mehta, Sanju Kothari, Chirag Lakhi, Anil Virani and Manish Jiwani were appointed to the Diamond Panel, while Shailesh Sangani, K. Srinivasan, Mansukh Kothari and Suvankar Sen will serve on the Gold Jewelry & Other Precious Metals Jewelry Panel.
Mahendra Agarwal and Vijay Kedia were appointed to the Colored Gemstones & Pearls Panel while Ram Babu Gupta will serve on the Silver Panel and
Badrinarayanan Gupta on the Sales to Foreign Tourist Panel.
More on Sourcing
The Latest
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.
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.
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.
Weekly QuizMar 26, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
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.
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.
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.
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.”
AuctionsMar 24, 2026
White Diamonds Shine In Christie's Jewels Online SaleThe highest-grossing lot was a Tiffany & Co. ring set with a flawless, emerald-cut diamond of 10 carats.
WatchesMar 24, 2026
Christie’s Names New Senior Specialist, WatchesFormer Sotheby’s executive Tom Heap has taken on the London-based role.
CrimeMar 23, 2026
NYPD Looking for 3 Jewelry Store Robbery SuspectsThe group of women allegedly robbed two Catbird stores and one Gorjana location on the afternoon of March 9.
FinancialsMar 23, 2026
Movado’s Q4 Sales Rise As Demand Grows From Younger Shoppers, WomenMovado CEO Efraim Grinberg noted continued strength in the fashion watch and accessible luxury segments in the U.S.
TrendsMar 23, 2026
Marco Bicego’s New Campaign Showcases ‘The Art of Craft’After celebrating 25 years in 2025, the campaign marks a new chapter for the jewelry brand with the message that “Identity Creates Value.”
Events & AwardsMar 23, 2026
These Watch Brands Are Heading to Couture This YearCouture and Time to Watches announced the watch brands, from big names to independents, attendees will see at the show.
FinancialsMar 20, 2026
Macy’s Turnaround Plans Shows Promise, Boosted by Bloomingdale’sPlus, why Saks Global’s bankruptcy may have given Bloomingdale’s an edge.
AuctionsMar 20, 2026
Sotheby's, De Beers Unveil ‘Jwaneng 28.88’ DiamondThe flawless, Type IIa stone is estimated to achieve up to $2.8 million at the auction house’s high jewelry sale in April.
TrendsMar 20, 2026
‘Frankenstein’ Costume Designer Is Bejeweled In Brooches for Oscars WinCostume designer Kate Hawley wore three archival Tiffany & Co. brooches, our Pieces of the Week, while accepting her first Oscar.
FinancialsMar 19, 2026
Signet Jewelers to Close 100 Stores, Shutter James Allen BannerThe jewelry retailer announced changes to its store network and brand portfolio during its fourth-quarter earnings call.
SurveysMar 19, 2026
NRF Forecasts 4% Retail Sales Growth in 2026From a weaker labor market to inflation, NRF Chief Economist Mark Mathews gave insight on what retailers can expect this year.
AuctionsMar 19, 2026
26-Carat Diamond Tops $1M at AuctionThe historic stone, which sold at Elmwood’s in London, is the largest white diamond to be offered on the U.K. market in more than a decade.
Events & AwardsMar 19, 2026
JCK Rocks To Ride With NellyThree-time Grammy award-winning artist Nelly is set to perform at the annual event at Tao Beach in Las Vegas on May 31.
