Ameesha Patel, Celina Jaitly, Sangeeta Bijlani, Meenakshi Seshadri and Arbaaz Khan headline a star-studded celebration of the Indian jewellery industry as IBJA and Tefla's crown 54 champions

India's jewellery industry dressed for its own night of glory as the inaugural India International Jewellery Awards (IIJA 2026) turned The Westin Mumbai Powai Lake into a ballroom of gold, glamour and grandeur. Presented by the India Bullion and Jewellers Association (IBJA) and Tefla's, with India Gold Metaverse (IGM) as Title Partner and Royal Chains Limited as Powered By partner, the black-tie evening brought together the biggest names in Indian jewellery, five Bollywood stars and the leaders of the trade under one roof.

From the red carpet at 6 PM to the final trophy of the night, the evening moved with the pace of a film premiere. Ameesha Patel opened the awards on stage, followed by Celina Jaitly, former Miss India Sangeeta Bijlani and screen legend Meenakshi Seshadri, before Arbaaz Khan took charge of the final two Shades, handing over the night's most coveted honours — including the Lifetime Achievement Award. Three couture fashion sequences — The Golden Beginning, India Shines and The Future Shines — brought jewellery to life on the runway between the award segments.

The show's signature moment came with The Golden Touch — Mr Jignesh Shah, Founder, India Gold Metaverse; Mr Prithviraj Kothari, National President, IBJA; and Mr Kailash Singh, Managing Director, Tefla's, together launched IIJA 2026, unveiling the IIJA Anthem, “Aaj Hamari Baari Hai”, across a full-stage LED canvas. Brand guru Harish Bijoor set the tone with a keynote on the golden power of Brand India, and the Harmony Heaven Choir Band carried the celebration from its opening crescendo to the dance floor.

Across 54 categories and nearly 180 nominations, the winners' list read like a who's who of Indian jewellery: Titan Company Limited (Manufacturer of the Year), Kalyan Jewellers (National Jewellery Retailer of the Year), Malabar Gold & Diamonds (Global Indian Jewellery Icon), Senco Gold (Jewellery Brand of the Year), Indriya (Aditya Birla Jewellery) (Jewellery Company of the Year), Chandukaka Saraf (Heritage Legacy Award), Swarnshilp Chains & Jewellers (Hall of Fame) and Emerald Jewel Industry India, which received the evening's final and most emotional honour — the Lifetime Achievement Award.

The celebration did not end with the winners. In a first for an Indian jewellery awards show, every nominee was felicitated at a dedicated photo booth outside the ballroom, while an AI Photo Scan let every guest download their photographs from the night. The evening closed with all five celebrities felicitated on stage and a grand photograph — 'The Stars Behind the Shine' — before the networking dinner and dance floor opened.

What the stars said

“Gold and jewellery are part of every Indian celebration, and tonight it was wonderful to celebrate the people who create it. Opening the awards at the very first IIJA was a special honour.”

— Ameesha Patel

“Behind every piece of jewellery is a story of craft, family and hard work. It was a joy to give those stories the recognition they deserve.”

— Celina Jaitly

“Style changes every season, but beautiful jewellery is forever. IIJA felt like the industry's own red carpet — elegant, emotional and full of pride.”

— Sangeeta Bijlani

“I have seen fashions change across generations, but the artistry of Indian jewellery has never gone out of style. It was a privilege to honour the people who keep it alive.”

— Meenakshi Seshadri

“Presenting the legacy awards and the Lifetime Achievement Award was the highlight of my evening. These are the names that built this industry — and it was a privilege to share their moment.”

— Arbaaz Khan

From the organisers

“Tonight the Indian jewellery industry did not just hand out trophies — it celebrated itself. Manufacturers, retailers, designers and families who have shaped this trade for generations stood on one stage. This is the beginning of a new annual tradition.”

— Mr Prithviraj Kothari, National President, IBJA

“We wanted to create a night worthy of the industry it honours — glamour, emotion and real recognition, together. The response from the trade, our partners and our stars has been overwhelming.”

— Mr Kailash Singh, Managing Director, Tefla's

“When the stars of Bollywood stand on the same stage as the craftsmen, manufacturers and retailers of India, you see what this industry truly is — the original glamour of our country. IIJA put that glamour back where it belongs: on the people who create it.”

— Mr Aseem Singh, Director, Tefla's

Courtesy: AOJ DESK NEWS