The Government of India has expanded mandatory gold hallmarking to seven additional districts under the sixth phase of implementation, increasing nationwide coverage to 380 districts effective March 2, 2026.

On March 2, 2026, in Mumbai, IAGES announced crossing 50 accredited members, expanding to 300+ stores to strengthen transparency, standardization and consumer confidence across India’s gold value chain.

Namibia signed the Luanda Accord in Cape Town on February 9, 2026, while GJEPC and DMCC agreed pathways toward Natural Diamond Council membership to support global natural diamond marketing efforts.

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.

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.

De Beers Group introduced its ‘Heera Hai Aapke Liye’ program at IIJS Bharat Signature to strengthen natural diamond demand in India by enabling retailers through the INDRA alliance and expanding structured access nationwide.

Ahead of the Union Budget 2026–27, leading jewellery retailers, manufacturers and industry bodies outline expectations on GST, import duties, exports, digital gold regulation, working capital, and policy reforms to strengthen growth.

Senco Gold & Diamonds received IAGES accreditation across over 100 stores pan India on January 21, 2026, aligning operations with the association’s Code of Conduct to strengthen accountability and consumer confidence.

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.

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.

Titan Company enters the lab-grown diamond jewellery segment with the launch of beYon, opening its first Mumbai store and targeting younger, lifestyle-driven consumers through affordable, design-led LGD offerings.

India’s gold industry body IAGES launches the #PehlaCheckIAGES campaign on December 4 in Mumbai, urging consumers to verify jewellers’ IAGES accreditation to promote ethical practices, transparency and sector-wide compliance.