Changing consumer behaviour, rising gold prices and faster buying cycles are driving demand for lightweight, high-rotation jewellery, forcing retailers to rethink inventory planning, merchandising strategies and sales approaches.

Malabar Gold & Diamonds launched ZOUL on February 24, 2026, featuring lightweight natural diamond jewellery in 14KT and 18KT gold, priced from Rs 20,000, targeting everyday wear across global showrooms.

Limelight Lab Grown Diamonds opened a new retail store in Rohini, Delhi, in February 2026, expanding its NCR presence and strengthening distribution in response to growing consumer demand.

Limelight Lab Grown Diamonds launched its first Andhra Pradesh store in Visakhapatnam in February 2026, inaugurated by Union Minister Kinjarapu Rammohan Naidu, expanding retail presence across emerging South Indian markets.

Natural Desert diamonds dominated the BAFTA Awards 2026 red carpet in London on February 23, worn by leading actors, signalling growing cultural and stylistic momentum for warm-toned natural diamonds.

Prêt by Couture India opened at Grand Hyatt Mumbai with a clear focus on lightweight design, operational discipline, and calibrated growth, reflecting an industry that aligns creativity with commercial precision in evolving retail markets.

Dhirsons Jewellers, Dhiraj Dhir Group, launched the ‘Heartbeats & Heirlooms’ diamond and gold collection on February 11, 2026 in New Delhi, targeting Valentine’s Day gifting and long-term wear segments.

Kalyan Jewellers has unveiled a Valentine’s Day jewellery edit featuring heart-inspired pendants, rings and bracelets, positioned as gifting options celebrating love, connection and self-expression across everyday wear categories.

Dhirsons Jewellers Pvt. Ltd. has introduced its Temple Treasures jewellery collection at its Lajpat Nagar flagship store in New Delhi on February 5, 2026, highlighting traditional temple-inspired gold designs for ceremonial wear.

Senco Gold & Diamonds opened its first Ambikapur store on January 27, expanding to four outlets in Chhattisgarh, to increase retail reach across Surguja and surrounding regional jewellery markets.

Angara has enabled silver metal selection across eligible jewellery designs on its India website in January 2026, expanding consumer metal choices as price volatility drives demand for flexible fine jewellery options.

As bridal tastes evolve, and retail cycles shorten, India’s polki industry is being redesigned for lighter wear, faster movement and commercial relevance, transforming a heritage craft into a modern retail category, says Dhwani Rathod.

As jewellery buying shifts toward longer consideration cycles, retailers and manufacturers must reframe hesitation not as failure, but as a trust-led decision process shaped by permanence, complexity, and emotional alignment.

GJEPC announced “Quantum Couture” as the theme for Artisan Jewellery Design Awards 2026 on 22 January in Mumbai, outlining three design categories and opening entries for industry and student participants nationwide.