The Gem & Jewellery Export Promotion Council (GJEPC) is set to open the global jewellery calendar with the 18th edition of IIJS Bharat – Signature 2026, the first global B2B jewellery trade fair of the year, scheduled to be held across two premier venues in Mumbai later this week.
The exhibition will take place at the Jio World Convention Centre, Bandra Kurla Complex, from January 8 to 11, 2026, and concurrently at the Bombay Exhibition Centre (NESCO) from January 9 to 12, alongside the machinery and technology showcase IGJME Bharat – Signature 2026.
Recognised as a key barometer of market sentiment, IIJS Bharat – Signature has long been synonymous with business in the gem and jewellery industry. As the first trade event of the year, the show is widely regarded as setting the direction for sourcing, design, and commercial activity for the months ahead.
The 2026 edition will feature over 1,600 exhibitors across more than 3,300 stalls, spread over 1.25 lakh square metres. It is expected to welcome over 25,000 trade buyers from more than 800 Indian cities, including around 1,400 international buyers from 40 countries. Buyers will gain access to a comprehensive sourcing environment covering gold, diamonds, silver, loose natural diamonds, coloured gemstones, couture jewellery, lab-grown diamonds, as well as machinery and allied segments.
Strengthening its position as a global sourcing platform, IIJS Bharat – Signature 2026 will host 12 international buyer delegations. International participation includes 21 jewellery companies occupying 43 stalls from the USA, UAE, Hong Kong, Japan, Thailand, Turkey, and Germany, along with four international machinery and allied companies across seven stalls. Reflecting renewed business momentum, more than 368 new companies are participating this year, collectively occupying 472 stalls.
Speaking ahead of the event, Kirit Bhansali, Chairman, GJEPC, said, “As the first global jewellery trade fair of the year, IIJS Bharat – Signature plays a defining role in setting the industry’s direction. India’s gem and jewellery sector today is focused on strengthening global trust, expanding market access, and building long-term competitiveness through quality, innovation, and responsible practices. IIJS reflects this larger ambition.”
A key highlight at the Jio World Convention Centre will be The Select CLUB, a curated luxury segment located at Jasmine Hall on the third floor. The section will bring together 107 select companies showcasing high-end couture and fine jewellery, positioned as an exclusive sourcing destination for premium buyers and luxury connoisseurs.
Shaunak Parikh, Vice Chairman, GJEPC and Convener, National Exhibitions, said, “IIJS Bharat – Signature is where the industry begins its annual business cycle. The dual-venue format allows us to meet growing exhibitor demand while delivering a seamless experience for buyers. From curated sections and knowledge forums to technology-driven services, the show is designed to help businesses start the year with clarity and confidence.”
Under the Brilliant Bharat theme, the exhibition will celebrate India’s jewellery art forms, spotlighting heritage techniques such as Filigree and Banarasi Meenakari. A major addition this year is the Crafts Pavilion, featuring live demonstrations by National Award-winning artisans. The pavilion will showcase GI-tagged traditions including Thewa (gold on glass), Banarasi Meenakari, the 500-year-old silver filigree craft from Cuttack, and silver anklets from the Hupari cluster, offering visitors an immersive experience of India’s living jewellery heritage.
The show will also host the Jewellery Crafts Design Competition, recognising design excellence rooted in traditional Indian art forms. Winning entries will be felicitated and displayed at the Brilliant Bharat Theme Gallery across both venues.
Knowledge-sharing will be a key focus through the Innov8 Talks and Symposium Knowledge Forums, covering topics such as the future of the natural diamond market, Free Trade Agreements and their implications, lab-grown diamond science led by InCent-LGD and IIT Madras, Ease of Doing Business with inputs from Customs, MSMEs and DGFT, and the role of artificial intelligence in jewellery design, manufacturing, and retail by 2030.
IIJS Bharat – Signature 2026 will also witness the launch of JewelStart, a flagship GJEPC initiative conceived as a business incubation platform to support start-ups, MSMEs, designers, and artisans through mentorship, technology enablement, infrastructure, and market access.
Sustainability remains a core focus under GJEPC’s One Earth initiative. During the show, over 600,000 single-use plastic water bottles will be eliminated at the NESCO venue, alongside continued measures such as renewable energy integration, minimal-waste booth systems, and the discontinuation of vinyl printing.
With enhanced participant services including Prime Plus Lounges, seamless digital entry, the IIJS App with a 3D interactive floor plan, shuttle services, and advanced exhibitor search and enquiry features, organisers aim to deliver a smooth and efficient experience for buyers and exhibitors alike.
As global buyers and industry leaders converge in Mumbai, IIJS Bharat – Signature 2026 is poised to set the tone for the gem and jewellery industry in the year ahead, blending heritage, innovation, sustainability, and business opportunity on a truly global platform.
