#JWLV - India Launches New Business Development and Marketing Campaign to the Americas #JCKLV

JCK  Las Vegas is gorgeous gems and jewelry - but it is so much more.  Networking is at it's peak and the opportunity to develop a working relationship with Jewelers, Designers and Manufacturers from other countries is one you should take advantage of....India's 

Gem & Jewellery Export Promotion Council (GJEPC) has a hand 

in several aspects of show, from the India Pavilion to putting together innovative Business Development Conferences.

      GJEPC – India Launches New Business Development and Marketing                                  Campaign to U.S., Canada and South America

At a news conference India’s premier gem and jewelry organization, the Gem & Jewellery Export Promotion Council (GJEPC) – India announced a major, new, multi-level business development campaign focused on the U.S., Canadian and South American markets.

The purpose of the campaign is to reinvigorate, strengthen and expand GJEPC’s business development efforts and build trusted relationships between India’s key jewelry industry companies and individuals and their counterparts in these American markets.

First, the Council is setting up a series of in-depth Business Development Conferences (BDCs) so that the GJEPC-India and its colleagues in the Americas will have opportunities to meet in person, discuss issues and find solutions.

Next, the groups will work on developing “best practices” directed at meeting today’s rapidly changing business landscape. The third step is to create an atmosphere that is continually replenishing and reinvigorating vendor/client relations with face-to-face meetings and social events designed to create new ideas and engender even stronger business partnerships and personal ties.

Fourth, the BDCs allow both groups to listen to important and relevant keynote topics presented for thoughtful discussions between the global colleagues as they work to build new and profitable economic bridges and enhance personal relationships.

Additionally, the Council plans to sponsor other activities that will support and bolster this work as the campaign goes forward.

According to GJEPC – India Chairman Vipul Shah,“We know that the U.S., Canadian and South American markets are uniquely important to our Indian gem and jewelry industry. India is one of the leading and preferred importing and sourcing destinations for these regions when it come to gems and jewellery. We look forward to meeting our colleagues from the Americas face-to-face to talk about all aspects of the gem and jewelry trade and how we can better work together to the greater success of all.”

The Council plans to hold several face-to-face business development meetings in Phase One of a three-year-long campaign. The Council will host ancillary events to support the campaign and other activities.

According to Shah, the first meeting will be a four-day event called the “2014 Indo/U.S. Business Development Conference” (BDC), to be held in Chicago, Illinois on Sept. 5-8, 2014.

Participants will hammer out new and better ways to work together in all aspects of the gem and jewelry trade, including manufacturing, design, production, gem and jewelry material acquisition and retail marketing.

Shah said, “This September BDC is the first such event held in the U.S. For us, this is a significant outreach program to the Western Hemisphere, not only looking at our important markets, but including our colleagues, clients and competitors. In today’s world, change is constant, and we hope BDCs, such as the one upcoming in Chicago, and the many supporting activities we have planned, will make sure India’s gem and jewellery industry is tied firmly into the world’s trends, technologies and capabilities.”

“Our Indian business community is one of the front runners in following ethical business practices through various CSR activities carried out to support social causes including adopting ‘No Child Labour’ Policy. GJEPC through its strong nework and being a responsible KP member has propogated and ensured that the diamonds engaged in the trade are conflict free”, Shah stated.

GJEPC’s Vice Chairman Pankaj Parekh added, “We are looking forward to developing

close business and personal ties with people throughout the Americans. Traveling to our important markets will help us learn more about the people there and how to strengthen and grow many wide-ranging business interests together.”

Also at the meeting, Parekh said that the BDC will “share information into the Council’s ‘Buyer/Seller Matching Initiative’, and showcase the beauty, artistry and production values of gorgeous Indian jewelry.”

Parekh said they expect to see 15 manufacturer/exporters from India with 15 to 20 companies from North America participating at the Chicago event.  

The Chicago conference is being organized and run on behalf of the GJEPC – India by Whitney Sielaff and Rick Bannerot of S&B Partners, LLC. They also organized the Council’s two BDCs held in India.

The India Pavilion at JCK:

For the 11^th consecutive year the GJEPC hosted the India Pavilion with around 65 top exporter members from the gem and jewelry, including studded jewellery, diamonds &and colored gemstones. The Pavilion occupies almost 105 booths.

The Council upgraded the look and feel of the India Pavilion with upgraded lights and furniture and attendees at JCK Las Vegas got the first look at the new Pavilion. The new Pavilion has a more vibrant and sophisticated look, adding to the overall visitor experience at the Indian Pavilion.

The India Gallery at JCK:

Set up at the popular “Shark Reef” venue in the Mandalay Bay, the “India Gallery” provides 8-10 showcases displaying some of the country’s most exquisite range of Indian gem and jewellery products. The items on display were handpicked by the Council.

Key officials presenting at the news conference:

GJEPC Chairman Vipul Shan

GJEPC Vice Chairman Pankaj Parekh

About GJEPC – India:

India’s Gem and Jewellery Export Promotion Council – is the apex body of the Indian gem and jewellery industry and represents, promotes and markets Indian jewellery artists, designers, manufacturers and exporters from all over the country to markets throughout the world. Established in 1966, the Council represents more than 5,300 gem and jewellery members. GJEPC India works as the single powerful engine of cooperation, consolidation, education, marketing and promotion to benefit the Indian jewellery industry by showcase its products worldwide and establishing it as a leading player in the international jewellery segment.  For more information, please visit www.gjepc.org or its Facebook page at www.facebook.com/GJEPC. 

Rio Tinto Unveils Inaugural Bunder Diamond Jewelry

Reena Ahluwalia Designs 

'Courageous Spirit' Collection 

Rio Tinto Makes Indian Diamond History, 

Unveils Inaugural Bunder Diamond Jewelry

Mumbai, India, August 24, 2012 - Rio Tinto unveiled the inaugural Bunder diamond jewelry collection comprising diamonds from the sampling to date at its developing Bunder project in Madhya Pradesh. The Courageous Spirit jewelry collection holds a very special place in Indian diamond history as it has been at least a century since India has mined, designed and manufactured its own diamond jewelry," said Dr Nik Senapati, Managing Director of Rio Tinto India.

Madhya Pradesh-born designer, Reena Ahluwalia was commissioned to design the Courageous Spirit jewelry as a tribute to the women of Madhya Pradesh. 

“As a woman born and brought up in the region (Madhya Pradesh), creating this milestone collection is like coming a full circle. I am honoured to tell the Bunder story through my designs and be a part of this historic diamond moment,” commented Reena Ahluwalia, International Award Winning Designer.

The focus of the necklace is a stunning diamond-encrusted disc that symbolizes the natural abundance of the Bunder diamond deposit. Inspired by a compass, the disc rotates on a central axis, while a marker points to the true centre of the Bunder story - the earthly origins of the diamonds and the pioneering spirit of the people who are so integral to Bunder's development. The latitude and longitude coordinates of the Bunder diamond deposit are inscribed on the back of the disc.

Titled "Courageous Spirit", the jewelry features a magnificent statement necklace and a set of complementary earrings. The collection incorporates a total of 25.34 carats of polished Bunder diamonds and 2.8 carats of rough Bunder diamonds, including a 5.04 carat round brilliant cut white diamond and a 5.02 carat round brilliant cut cognac diamond.

Maintaining the important Indian pedigree of the collection, the rough diamonds have been carefully transformed by master craftsmen in Indian cutting and polishing factories, while the innovative design has been brought to life with designer Reena Ahluwalia by Indian jewelry manufacturer Uni-Design Jewellery Private Ltd - a Mumbai-based company with a reputation for exquisite craftsmanship. 

Rio Tinto partnered with Venus Jewel and Mahendra Brothers to cut and polish the stones. Guest of Honour at the event was the Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh, Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan.

 According to Bruce Cox, Managing Director of Rio Tinto Diamonds, "By harnessing the skill and creativity of India's respected diamond artisans, these magnificent jewelry pieces are symbolic of an important new chapter in the country's proud diamond history.

The Bunder project, likely to come into commercial production in 2016, presents enormous opportunities not only for the Madhya Pradesh region, but for the broader Indian diamond industry as well, with Rio Tinto presenting a unique opportunity for India to mine, manufacture and market its own diamonds."

The Courageous Spirit collection is not available for sale, but will be showcased at a number of events throughout the second half of 2012.

About the Bunder Diamond ProjectThe Bunder diamond project was discovered in 2004 by Rio Tinto and in 2010 a State Support Agreement was signed with Government of Madhya Pradesh as an endorsement of the mutual commitment to the development of the project. An Inferred Resource (the first quantifiable estimate of an ore-body) has been defined as 37 million tonnes, containing 27.4 million carats. The Government of Madhya Pradesh gave in principle approval to the issue of a mining lease for the Bunder project via a "Letter of Intent" in January 2012. Rio Tinto is now working on the mine plan, environmental and forestry approvals required to execute a Mining Lease. At least rupees 2200 crore (US$500M) will be required to fully develop the Bunder diamond project.Once developed the Bunder diamond mine is expected to place Madhya Pradesh in the top ten diamond producing regions of the world.

About Rio Tinto Diamonds
Rio Tinto operates a fully integrated diamonds business from exploration through to sales and marketing. It is one of the world's major diamond producers through its 100 per cent control of the Argyle mine in Australia, 60 per cent of the Diavik mine in Canada, 78 per cent interest in the Murowa mine in Zimbabwe and 100 per cent interest in the Bunder project in India.

Rio Tinto's share of the production from its three operating diamond mines is sold through its sales and marketing headquarters in Antwerp, with representative offices in Mumbai, Hong Kong and New York. It also operates a niche cutting and polishing factory in Perth for the rare pink diamonds from its Argyle mine. Rio Tinto is a leading supporter of the Kimberley Process, as well as a founding member of Responsible Jewellery Council. Website:www.riotintodiamonds.com

Photos: Rio Tinto Diamonds.

Bangalore's First Exhibition of Art Inspired by Jewellery

Sublime Galleria has set several precedents since its inception and now India's only Sky Gallery is all set to present for the first time ever in Bangalore, an art exhibition which is a fusion of jewellery and fine arts. On the occasion of 'Art Bengaluru 2012', Sublime Galleria brings together two great artists, with different mediums and art-forms - Pallavi Foley and Vijit Pillai to present 'By the Lomok Moonlight' - Art Inspired by Jewellery.

   

Hailed as one of India's best designers currently, Sublime Galleria is proud to present award-winning jewellery designer, Pallavi Foley's newest collection of wearable art, called 'By the Lomok Moonlight'.  And to complement her unique award-winning designs is acclaimed artist, Vijit Pillai , who has worked in conjunction with Pallavi and taken inspiration from her designs and the ideas behind them to come up with artworks that are avant-garde in form and colour.

"Travel has been my greatest source of inspiration, and this collection is inspired by the historical jewellery and traditions of the South-East Asian archipelago, where each motif and texture is rooted in reason. When I visualized this collection, it evoked a feeling of romance which I have expressed through the jewels, using pearls as the expression of moonlight, with motifs and textures which find their origins in history. I call it 'By the Lomok Moonlight'," added Ms.Pallavi Foley - renowned jewellery designer.

Acclaimed artist, Vijit Pillai commented on the collection, "My artworks have been inspired by Pallavi's exquisite jewellery and I have used textures, patterns and colours to create abstract forms that complement her designs. I have also used Buddha and Ganesha figures as backdrops in a few of the artworks to add a slight twist to the creations. To bring all these elements together and yet retain the original concept has been challenging, but enjoyable. My art is unpredictable, with inconclusive endings leaving a lot to the viewer's imagination - which is what makes it interactive and hopefully exciting!"

About the exhibition 

The stylization of both the artists - Pallavi Foley & Vijit Pillai is modern and contemporary. The jewellery art pieces do take inspiration from historical jewellery pieces, yet are a modern and avant-garde version of the same. The digital art is a unique abstraction, where jewellery becomes the protagonist and each form, a new artistic expression.

Pallavi's focus areas are the textures of the palm leaf and its abstractions, the simplistic hornbills, the leafy forms and sculptural tones with three-dimensional folds and curves, modern and layered.

The exhibition will be on at the Sublime Galleria in UB City during Art Bengaluru 2012 from 10-24 August from 11am to 8pm.

Ms. Uzma Irfan - Founder of Sublime Galleria said, "We, at Sublime, aim to introduce varied and unexplored mediums of art with each new exhibition. With this show, it gives me great pleasure to present two such talented and diverse artists who have worked in unison to seamlessly blend the art-forms of jewellery and fine arts and present both from a brand new perspective. This exhibition is a part of Art Bengaluru 2012 and we would like to invite participation from everyone to make this unique art festival a true success."

About Sublime Galleria

The Sublime Galleria, India's first Sky Gallery, founded by Ms.  Uzma Irfan  - Director, Corporate Communications, Prestige Group in 2009 is dedicated to the support and promotion of fine arts and performing arts. To this end, it regularly organizes exclusive art pageants featuring the work of upcoming artists. These shows and exhibitions are well attended by art connoisseurs and buyers from across the globe and offer budding artists a much needed platform to showcase their talent.

Located in UB City, which is today the city's hotspot for Fashion, Luxury and Fine Art, Sublime Galleria provides the perfect setting for the city's art aficionados to indulge their passion.

Strongly believing in the need to support young and upcoming artists, Uzma Irfan founded Sublime Galleria to help provide a platform for them to exhibit their work. Uzma believes that fine art is an integral part of our rich culture and we should strive to keep these art forms vibrant and accessible to society.

Sublime Galleria has promoted the works of several artists across categories. Some examples of the mélange of work exhibited at Sublime in the past include 'Genesis' by Simran KS Lamba - a unique presentation of mixed media artwork in coal tar, and more recently, 'Crossroads' - a unique celebration of Fine Art by four leading artists - G Subramanian, Gurudas Shenoy, Jasu Rawal and Milind Nayak.

Sublime Galleria has earlier showcased the works of Aamina Shazi, Amit Sharma, Anoop H, Ashish Parmar, CPB Prasad, Devanshi (Tina), Farah Ahmed, Kalabhakesari, Manoj Masand, Pallon Daruwala, Pragya Jain, Priyanka Gupta Agarwal, Rupesh Patrick, Shukla Chowdhury, Simran KS Lamba, Soraya Taher Merchant, Srividya and Tala Afsin.

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