AOJ E-NEWS: Hyderabad Jewellery, Pearl and Gem Fair (HJF 2017), the premium jewellery trade show of South India, commenced its 10th edition today at the Hyderabad International Convention Centre, Novotel. Special guests Jyotsna Shreshta, President, Nepal Gem and Jewellery Association; Michael Duck, Executive Vice President, UBM Asia, Yogesh Mudras, Managing Director, UBM India; Mahendra Tayal, President, Hitech City Jewellers Manufacturers Association (HJMA), and Mukesh Agarwal, Convenor, HJMA, inaugurated the fair in the presence of other dignitaries from the jewellery trade.

A three day expo, (9th to 11th June), HJF is one of the biggest gems & jewellery B2B exhibition with participation of over 150 comprising jewellery brands, wholesalers, retailers, importers and exporters, jewellery manufacturers, machinery manufacturers, diamond, gemstone, pearl suppliers and traders, precious metal and jewellery mounting traders and suppliers, and representatives from trade and governmental bodies.

A stunning array of Victorian, Nizam and Antique Jewellery collections, were displayed by over 35 manufacturers from Hyderabad and surrounding regions. Other highlights of the fair include a special miniature gallery, insightful technical seminars by Gem and Jewellery Skill Council India (GJSCI) on ‘Skill Development’ (that helped artisans upgrade their professional knowledge) & Gemological Institute of America (GIA) on ‘Spotlight on Synthetics’.

Goods and Services Tax (GST) Seminar will be organised on 10th June 2017(11am to 2pm) and the Chief Guest is Nitin Khandelwal, Chairman, GJF. The interactive session on GST will be anchored by legal expert Rohan Shah, and a special note by Yogesh Mudras, Managing Director, UBM India. The session will be followed by a live demo of new software, (ADHIGAM – is a software developed by TCS for GST).

The fair is a gateway to the Indian jewellery market, with a special focus on South India’s range of designer jewellery, and provides an excellent platform for buyers and suppliers to connect, network, exchange ideas, discover upcoming trends and generate business opportunities. The expo continues to attract well-reputed local and overseas buyers from Nepal, Bangladesh, Malaysia and Sri Lanka, reinforcing the expo’s position as a proven and trusted sourcing hub for the industry.

Some of the notable exhibitors participating this year included prominent names such as Anmol Jewellers, Swaroop Jewellers, Chintamani Gold, Sri Shubam Jewellers, Gupta Gold, Jai Gulab Dev Jewellers, J K S Jewels, Mehta Gold & Diamonds, Vinati Jewellers, Shanti Gold International, Shree Kalptaru Jewellers, Vithraag Jewels, Ozone Overseas et al. The fair is supported by the Hitech City Jewellery Manufacturers Association (HJMA), AP Gold, Silver and Diamond Merchants Association, All India Gems and Jewellery Trade Federation and 300 + jewellery associations. The HJF brings to the fore creativity and innovation in jewellery from among several cities and Tier II towns such as Vijayawada, Guntur, Vizag and Rajahmundry.

Commenting on at the inauguration of the HJF 2017, Yogesh Mudras, Managing Director, UBM India said, “HJF 2017 is our unique tribute to the Gems and Jewellery industry in Hyderabad. We are extremely pleased with the fair’s success year- on- year and we will continue to unveil new jewellery trends, an unmatched jewellery portfolio and conduct knowledge sharing seminars to attract wider trade audiences in the coming years
Speaking on the occasion of the 10th edition of HJF, Michael Duck, Executive Vice President, UBM Asia, said, “The HJF remains special to UBM India because it has been created, honed, and shaped by us since its inception. UBM India recognized that the Gems and Jewellery is the backbone of the Indian economy, with India being one of the world's fastest growing Gem and Jewellery markets and South India, the biggest market within it. In its ten years, HJF provides an international trading platform enabling domestic and overseas jewellery, diamond, pearl and gemstone suppliers to congregate interact and network with key buyers, both local and international. The fair, in addition to being the state’s only show of such size and volume, is a significant contributor towards our India footprint in the jewellery vertical with successful established shows in Delhi, Kolkata and Chennai.”

The second edition of Retail Jewellers Guild Awards – Hyderabad, will draw out the best of the region’s talent in the retail jewellery industry through a methodical, professional procedure. The extensive award categories this year are crafted, keeping in mind, the diverse activities of the retail jewellery industry in the state of Telangana & AP, comprising Design Excellence, Operational Excellence & Marketing Excellence. This year too, the awards ceremony will be marked by industry stalwarts who will share insights on the industry and exclusive fashion sequences focusing on stunning pieces of jewellery. The jury this year includes Mr. Mahendra Tayal, President HJMA, South Chairman – GJEPC, Mr. Avinash Gupta, Director, FTAPCCI., Mr. Kailash Charan, President, Twin Cities Jewellers Association and Ms. Bijal Doshi Shah, Solitaire Diamond Institute, Hyderabad.

Speaking on the occasion Mahender Tayal, President HJMA & Regional Chairman South GJEPC said, “To mark the 10th edition of HJF, we are showcasing Ruby, Emerald studded jewellery with handmade filigree work. Since jewellery prices may increase due to 3% GST on jewellery from next month, all the Retailers should take the benefit of the current tax slab for their stocks. This year around 150 exhibitors have participated in Hyderabad Jewellery Pearl & Gem Fair out of which around 40 exhibitors are from Hyderabad. We will also have several international & national exhibitors and buyers as well”. The show is thus taking a very positive direction.

Mukesh Agarwal, Swaroop Jewellers and Secretary, Hyderabad Jewellery Manufacturers Association said “This year, we are unveiling the latest collections in Junagadh jewellery, Pachi jewellery with Cubic Zirconia (C.Z), Ruby and Emerald. It’s a privilege to be associated with one of India’s leading exhibitor, UBM India for over the last ten years. HJF is truly South India’s prominent jewellery trade fair which provides an excellent platform for retailers and wholesalers to connect with all major suppliers across India”.

“Every edition of HJF provides us an opportunity to connect with all the local manufacturers and traders. Consumer preferences are changing every year and it is our commitment to keep our collections up-to-date to live up to their expectations. HJF always brings-in great clientele and provides the best infrastructure to facilitate better trade in Southern India”, said Suresh Jain of Chintamani Gold.