Indian Jewelry » Fashion Jewelry India

On the whole, India may still be a developing economy, yet it i~ a country where people are extremely fond of jewellery, no wonder it is the largest consumer of gold in the world. Most of the jewellery lovers had been asset-conscious, hence the preference for weight; but gradually jewellery is becoming a fashion item and as such a part of the wardrobe. It is estimated that nearly eight hundred thirty six tons of gold goes into tie making of jewellery in India annually. Besides huge quantities manufactured for domestic consumption, jewellery for exports is currently the, thrust item which India is trying to concentrate upon for more forex earnings.

Official quarters had been urging the gems sector for producing diamond-studded jewellery, as Indian processed diamonds, which are extensively used elsewhere in the manufacture of modern jewellery, could fetch better added value, if the country undertakes fabrication of jewellery set with gems. Some big diamond firms have since come forward to set up jewellery units in the exclusive export processing zones, the leading one of which is the SEEPZ at Mumbai, followed by the NEPZ and Jhandewalan Estate at Delhi. A joint venture of the public sector MMTC with a prominent US jewellery chain is also on the anvil. Meanwhile Argyle, Australia, has taken up the promotion of fine Indian jewellery in the US market. An Indo-Argyle Diamond Council has been formed exclusively for this purpose. The World Gold Council (WGC), which has several regional offices in India, has also come forward lately to lend a helping hand. It has started a jewellery designing competition 'Swarnanjali' to promote modern designing. De Beers too is now sponsoring an annual designing competition and launching special branded jewellery collections with gusto, the latest of which 'Nakshatra' has been creating waves. Yet another innovative collection to hit the market is InterGold's Swaymbhu-Sarveshwara - a set of spiritual jewellery.

'Signature Collections:
The DTC and its 'Suppliers of Choice' have been spearheading the branded jewellery boom by launching their special collections that include signature sets of celebrities like Rajamata Gaytri Devi's and Bollywood stars' signature sets.

Winning World Contests :
When De Beers conducted their famous global jewellery contest Diamonds International, Indian designers figured many times among the winners. After discontinuation of that competition, the DTC organized another contest - 'Diamonds Nature's Miracles' in mid-2004. The stunning diamond jewellery designed for this global contest highlighted three outstanding Indian pieces among the prize winning creations.