The Gem & Jewellery Export Promotion Council (GJEPC) hosted the IIJS Celebration Night on 5th August 2026, following the first day of IIJS Bharat Premiere 2026, bringing together leading figures from the Indian and global gem and jewellery industry for an evening of recognition and celebration. A key highlight of the evening was the felicitation of nine global icons as Industry Legends, honouring their outstanding leadership and contributions to the diamond, gem and jewellery industry worldwide.
The ceremony was graced by Chief Guest Shri Rajesh Gawande, Secretary, Protocol, FDI, and Diaspora Affairs for Maharashtra, along with the leadership of GJEPC and prominent members of the international trade. The event was held in association with the World Gold Council (WGC) and powered by India Gold Metaverse (IGM).
Speaking on the significance of the evening, Mr. Kirit Bhansali, Chairman, GJEPC, said, “The Industry Legends we honour tonight are the titans upon whose shoulders our industry stands. These visionaries have not only built remarkable enterprises but have also helped foster a global ecosystem built on trust, innovation and integrity. As India continues its journey toward becoming the ‘Jeweller to the World,’ their contributions serve as a constant inspiration, reminding us that our collective success is driven by the passion, commitment and vision of individuals who dare to lead.”
The evening brought together a distinguished group of stalwarts who have dedicated decades to shaping the global gem and jewellery industry. Mr. Paul Rowley, Executive Vice President of Diamond Trading at De Beers Group, was honoured for his 40-year journey from a trainee diamond sorter to a global leader who oversaw the historic migration of De Beers’ sales functions to Botswana. Similarly, Mr. Ronnie VanderLinden, President of the World Diamond Council Inc., was recognised for his life’s work as a third-generation diamantaire who has tirelessly advocated for a unified voice for natural diamonds across international borders.
The Council also celebrated the institutional leadership of Dr. Gaetano Cavalieri, President of CIBJO – The World Jewellery Confederation, who, since 2001, has led the confederation to achieve Special Consultative Status with the United Nations. Mr. David J. Bonaparte, President & CEO of Jewellers of America, was also recognised for his advocacy in the world’s largest jewellery market. Mr. Pritesh Patel, President and CEO of the Gemological Institute of America (GIA), was recognised for his role in modernising gemological research and laboratories through AI-driven technologies.
From the Middle East, Mr. Ahmed Bin Sulayem, Executive Chairman and CEO of DMCC, was recognised for his vision in creating one of the world’s leading business districts in Dubai, while Mr. Tawhid Abdulla, Chairman of the Dubai Gold & Jewellery Group (DGJG), was honoured for his five-decade career in shaping Dubai into a global jewellery hub.
India’s own industry leaders received high acclaim, including Mr Anoop Mehta, President of the Bharat Diamond Bourse (BDB), whose leadership was central to building the world’s largest diamond exchange in Mumbai. History was also celebrated with Mr. Mehul Shah, President of the World Federation of Diamond Bourses (WFDB), who recently became the first Indian to hold the top post at this apex global body.
Mr. Paul Rowley, Executive Vice President of Diamond Trading at De Beers Group said, “We recognise that the role India plays is pivotal to the entire diamond pipeline, and we want to be fully integrated into that pipeline. It has been a difficult couple of years for the industry, so it is particularly encouraging to see so many smiling faces at IIJS. I believe this is going to be a fabulous show, and I am delighted to be here with my colleagues from Botswana to better understand the heartbeat of the Indian industry.”
Mr. Tawhid Abdulla, Chairman of the Dubai Gold & Jewellery Group (DGJG) said, “I am deeply humbled to receive this prestigious recognition from GJEPC. The bond between India and Dubai’s jewellery industry is built on a remarkable synergy, with the Indian community playing a vital role in shaping Dubai as a global jewellery hub. I dedicate this honour to Dubai, our industry and our valued members, and to the enduring partnership between India and Dubai that continues to create opportunities and strengthen our industry.”
Mr. Ronnie VanderLinden, President, World Diamond Council Inc. said, “Throughout my career, I have always believed that every natural diamond carries a story long before it reaches a jewellery showcase. Protecting that story and the trust consumers place in it has been both a privilege and a responsibility that I have never taken lightly. I have always maintained that we are all in this together, and being recognised alongside such an outstanding group of industry leaders is a tremendous honour. I sincerely thank GJEPC for this recognition and for the important work it continues to do for our industry.”
Mr. Ahmed Bin Sulayem, Executive Chairman & CEO, DMCC “This award is dedicated to everyone I have partnered with over the years and to the strong relationships we have built. India has been an important part of DMCC’s journey, and I believe we cannot capture the next 26,000 or 27,000 companies without a superpower like India. Today, India is the second-largest jewellery hub in the world, but that is not the end of the journey — I am cheering for you.”
Mr. Anoop Mehta, President, Bharat Diamond Bourse (BDB) said, “The journey of the Indian gem and jewellery industry over the past 25 years has brought us to where we are today, but I believe the next chapter will be even more significant. India has the potential to become the leading jewellery supplier to the world, and with the progress we are making and the support we are receiving, I believe this could happen within the next five years. Our success in Dubai has already given us a strong stepping stone to reach the rest of the world.”
Mr. Mehul Shah, President, World Federation of Diamond Bourses (WFDB) said, “I dedicate this award to the diamond artisans of India. Their extraordinary craftsmanship and artistry have given India the pride of becoming a world leader in diamonds. The work of transforming a rough diamond into a perfectly faceted, brilliantly cut stone is an art in itself, and I salute the artisans whose skill and dedication have brought pride to India. I also extend my humble thanks to the entire diamond community in India and around the world for their support and encouragement.”
Mr. Pritesh Patel, President & CEO, Gemological Institute of America (GIA) said, “While I am deeply honoured to receive this recognition, this award truly belongs to my more than 3,000 colleagues at GIA who are the backbone of our organisation. GIA was founded on a simple mission of strengthening consumer confidence in gems and gemology through research, education and innovation. Our association with GJEPC and India goes back many decades, and India remains GIA’s largest customer base. We look forward to continuing this close collaboration and building a strong future together.”
Mr. David J. Bonaparte, President & CEO, Jewellers of America said, “I am thrilled and deeply honoured to be recognised by GJEPC as an Industry Legend. While I am not sure I am worthy of such an honour, I truly appreciate this recognition. Over the years, Jewellers of America and GJEPC have built a strong and lasting collaboration in support of the growth and development of our industry, and I look forward to continuing this partnership and our shared commitment to leading the industry through strong partnerships and best practices.”
In a message to GJEPC, Dr. Gaetano Cavalieri, President, CIBJO – The World Jewellery Confederation, expressed his gratitude for the recognition, saying, “I am deeply honoured to receive this recognition from GJEPC and sincerely thank the Chairman and the entire Board for this great honour. I am particularly grateful for the confidence placed in me. I would also like to congratulate GJEPC on this outstanding event and acknowledge the special and unique contribution that GJEPC and the Indian gem and jewellery industry continue to make to CIBJO and the global industry.”
In addition to the global awards, GJEPC took the opportunity to express its gratitude to the pioneers of the Indian industry. The event included the felicitation of Former Chairmen: Shreyas K. Doshi, Kaushik M. Mehta, Harshad R. Mehta, Praveenshankar Pandya, Sanjay Kothari, Bakul Mehta, Vasant Mehta, Rajiv Jain, Vipul Shah, Pramod Agrawal, and Colin Shah. The Council also recognised Vice Chairmen Pankaj Parekh and Russell Mehta, alongside the IIJS Conveners Harish Zaveri, Navin Jashnani, Shaunak Parikh, Shailesh Sanghani, Mansukh Kothari, and Nirav Bhansal, who have been instrumental in the show’s growth.
The formal proceedings concluded with a Vote of Thanks by Mr Shaunak Parikh, Vice Chairman, GJEPC, who acknowledged the collective effort required to maintain India’s prominence in global trade. The evening transitioned from formal accolades into a celebration of art and culture, featuring a soul-stirring musical performance by the renowned duo Sachet–Parampara, leaving the audience with an unforgettable experience of industry camaraderie.
IIJS Bharat Premiere 2026 is being held at at the Jio World Convention Centre (JWCC), BKC, from 5 to 9 August, and at the Bombay Exhibition Centre (BEC), NESCO, Goregaon, from 6 to 10 August 2026.
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