As India raises gold import duty from 6% to 15% amid economic pressure and a weakening rupee, the jewellery industry is preparing for higher prices, evolving demand, and possible market disruption, discovers Khursheed Mistry.

As India raises gold import duty to 15%, leading jewellery players and trade bodies support gold conservation measures while warning of liquidity pressure, export challenges and rising risks to MSMEs.

QWEEN marked its first global appearance at the 2026 Met Gala as Diya Mehta wore bespoke natural diamond and emerald jewellery ahead of the brand’s official launch later this month.

Aamir Khan commissions two bespoke rings for Gauri Spratt from QWEEN in Bangalore ahead of its May 2026 launch, while also joining the brand as a strategic investor.

Limelight Diamonds has opened a new exclusive store in Baner, Pune, in March 2026, expanding its Maharashtra retail presence and strengthening access to lab-grown diamond jewellery in a key urban market.

Bollywood actors Aamir Khan and Ranbir Kapoor have invested in luxury jewellery brand QWEEN, which is preparing to enter the Indian market with its first experiential stores in early 2026.

Rosy Blue and Kashikey will invest Rs 1000 crore to expand QWEEN, the self-discovery experiential jewellery brand founded by Amit Kumar and Suyash Motarwar, with stores opening in Bangalore and Delhi by mid-February.

The recent imposition of steep tariffs by the Trump administration on diamonds imported from India has sent ripples across the US diamond jewellery sector. India being the primary supplier of polished diamonds to America, the world’s largest consumer market, the tariffs have caused supply chain disruptions, and are likely to lead to rising product costs. Prices are expected to go up, once the existing inventory depletes, unless a deal is reached between the US and India. Suneeta Kaul speaks with Paul Zimnisky, renowned diamond industry analyst, to gain insights into the fallout of the tariffs, and how they are reshaping buying behaviour and pricing strategies in the US.

With the steep Trump tariffs now having come into play, the cutting, polishing, manufacturing and export hubs of India are facing severe problems, with joblessness and unit-closure a distinct possibility. The silver lining is that the GJEPC is hopeful of a solution, particularly in view of the advocacy efforts of its US counterparts, who are also working hard to impress upon the Trump administration that the high tariffs will have a deleterious effect on the US jewellery industry as well. In a free-wheeling conversation with Suneeta Kaul, Kirit Bhansali, Chairman, GJEPC, talks about the impact of the tariffs, the steps being taken to bring about some relief to the industry, its expectation from the government, and more.

The Gem & Jewellery Export Promotion Council (GJEPC) met on Friday to address the sharp rise in US tariffs on Indian jewellery, which now stand at 25%–32%, threatening the export segment. Discussions covered the scale of the impact, the need to explore legal and operational intricacies, and long-term strategies to protect the sector.

India's largest jeweller and watchmaker Titan is considering relocating part of its manufacturing operations to the Middle East, aiming to preserve low-tariff access to the U.S. market in the face of mounting trade frictions between Washington and New Delhi.

India’s apparel and jewellery exporters are preparing for a potential decline in U.S. orders following the imposition of a 25% tariff on Indian imports by the United States, which takes effect today.

Move aims to ease trade tensions and gain relief from potential US tariff hikes

Giving expensive gifts to employees creates a ripple effect that goes beyond momentary fame. Employees not only feel valued and recognized, they end up becoming brand messengers as they take to social media to share their stories. The brand, thus, gets associated with values, class, and a reputation for generosity, discovers Suneeta Kaul