New luxury brand Daimanté launches in India with AI-generated design workflows and sustainable lab-grown diamonds, offering hallmark-assured collections and digital-first retail strategy, redefining premium product offerings for modern jewellery retailers.

Akoirah by Augmont introduced the ‘Made of Us’ collection on February 11, 2026, featuring 14K recycled gold and lab-grown diamond designs centred on heart motifs for Valentine’s season retail demand.

Following the India–US Interim Agreement framework announcement, GJEPC confirms duty reduction on jewellery to 18% and anticipates zero-duty access for diamonds and coloured gemstones in the US market.

IGI acquired American Gemological Laboratories on January 31, 2026, in New York and Mumbai to expand coloured gemstone certification, linking US and India markets through a combined global platform.

Union Budget 2026-27 makes a strong push for MSMEs, with a Rs 10,000-crore SME Growth Fund; besides, it enables faster payments via mandatory TReDS for CPSE purchases. Overall, the Budget emphasizes fiscal prudence, infrastructure creation, and ease of doing business. For a sector navigating global uncertainty, shifting consumer preferences, and rising compliance standards, it is stability that the enabler.

HRD Antwerp opened a new certification laboratory in Hyderabad on January 31, 2026, to expand regional access to diamond and jewellery grading services for manufacturers and retailers in South India.

IGI inaugurated its second Jaipur laboratory on January 29, 2026 in Sitapura to expand coloured gemstone testing, improve turnaround times and support manufacturers and exporters across North India.

In order to meet the challenges of the diamond industry head on, De Beers has devised a multi-pronged strategy – the major steps include upping investment in marketing, participating in the Luanda Accord, developing a range of category campaigns, collaborating with key retail partners to grow demand, and investing in branded marketing programmes for its own retail businesses, says David Johnson, VP, Global External Communications, De Beers Group, in a conversation with Suneeta Kaul.

In spite of an 8.76% dip in cut and polished diamond exports during April-November 2025, GJEPC remains optimistic about India’s export performance in 2026. The Council is looking forward to the BTA with the US, and should that take longer than expected, it will take all necessary measures in coordination with the government and stakeholders to support exports, and ensure continued growth, says Sabyasachi Ray, Executive Director, GJEPC, in a conversation with Suneeta Kaul.

India adopts IS 19469:2025 on January 15, 2026, reserving the term “diamond” exclusively for natural diamonds, mandating clear disclosure for laboratory-grown diamonds to address consumer confusion and standardize trade practices.

Buying activity softened as laboratory-grown diamonds and gold prices reshaped loose diamond trade dynamics at IIJS Bharat Signature 2026. Exhibitors observed slower conversions, but continued relevance, for natural diamonds, reports Khursheed Mistry.

GIA plays a key role in establishing authenticity and trust in jewellery retail — it brings credibility, transparency, and confidence to the entire ecosystem, Amit Pratihari, MD, GIA India, tells Khursheed Mistry.

Day two of IIJS Bharat Signature 2026 at the Bombay Exhibition Centre (BEC), NESCO, Goregaon, Mumbai, was marked by the formal inauguration of the venue, and new collection launches focused on lightweight gold jewellery.

BIS has notified IS 19469:2025 in Mumbai, adopting the ISO diamond disclosure norms, following the GJEPC initiative, to strengthen consumer transparency as India’s diamond jewellery demand expands nationwide.