The Gem & Jewellery Export Promotion Council (GJEPC) has announced “Quantum Couture – Re-Engineering Beauty and Cultural Codes” as the official theme for the Artisan Jewellery Design Awards 2026. The theme was unveiled on 22 January 2026 in Mumbai.

According to GJEPC, the 2026 edition calls on designers to move beyond conventional approaches and develop jewellery concepts that integrate heritage, technology and evolving cultural narratives into contemporary wearable formats.

Mr. Kirit Bhansali, Chairman, GJEPC, said, “India’s artisanal legacy is not a static memory; it is a living force that is actively shaping the global future of design. With ‘Quantum Couture,’ we are challenging designers to treat jewellery legacy as an evolving system. This is not just a trend, it is a new operating system for jewellery. We are inviting the world to see India not just as a manufacturing hub, but as a global muse that blends Indian craft with modern techniques.”

Mr. Ashish Borda, Convener, Promotions & Marketing, GJEPC, said, “Marketing in the modern era requires a narrative that resonates across generations. ‘Quantum Couture’ is our answer to a shifting consumer landscape where Gen Z and Boomers alike seek jewelry that is fluid, inclusive, and innovative. By pushing our designers to explore ‘augmented imagination,’ we are ensuring that the Indian jewelry industry remains at the forefront of the global cultural conversation.”

The theme is divided into three design directions. Quantum Couture – Embroidery focuses on reinterpreting traditional embroidery, lace, brocade, filigree and beadwork into sculptural jewellery structures. Quantum Couture – Micro-Painting draws from jadau, meenakari kundan enamelling, micro-mosaics, miniature paintings and Thewa art. Quantum Couture – Poetic Layers explores layered, sculptural forms inspired by nature, using techniques such as marquetry, engraving, carving and filigree.

Now in its ninth edition, the Artisan Awards follow a multi-stage jury evaluation process beginning with technical assessment and progressing through expert judging. Winners receive cash prizes, internships with leading industry brands, and international exposure through GJEPC’s India Design Gallery.

Jewellery manufacturers, retail brands, design labels and design students can submit sketches and participation forms by 10 February 2026. Paola De Luca, futurist and curator of the theme, will conduct an online master class on 23 January at 2.30 pm IST.