Jai Jewels! Gold Glitters! Diamonds Dazzle!

There’s a lot happening in our world this week. Bomb blasts, natural calamities, political and social turmoil. We won’t dwell on these, or focus on other serious issues. We will visit these at a later date.

For now, let’s  celebrate and cherish. Rejoice and revel. Let’s take a look at what else is happening around us. Yes. The India International Jewellery Week. Last week, Grand Hyatt Mumbai played host to the city’s 4th edition of India International Jewellery Week (IIJW) 2013. It was organized by the Gem and Jewellery Council of India between August 4 – 8, 2013 at the Grand Ballrooms.

The India International Jewellery Week, since its inception in 2011, is an initiative that showcases the finest in jewellery from around the country and celebrates fine craftsmanship, innovation, design and quality. This year, IIJW  featured over 30 designers and brands showcasing their finest creations in classic and contemporary designs.

Jewels highlight the pure and simple beauty of women. For centuries, jewelry has been associated with women. It is true that women love jewelry. Unquestionable. Times may change, fashion may change. Not a woman’s heartfelt love for jewelry.

Women have always been the epitome of beauty, love and elegance. They love. And love to beautify themselves. Girls of all ages are also great connoisseurs of beauty and most of them have an eye for beauty. Since time immemorial. Form the start of civilization, we find traces of jewelry made of various materials ranging from precious stones, beads and metals. Even men have been known to adorn jewellery in different forms.

In India, people have expended limitless energy and creativity in the invention of ornaments that celebrate the human body.  There’s a connection from the body to the inner soul. Symbols found in Indian jewelry act as a language communicated from the wearer to the viewer. It is believed that jewels  not  only serves to please the eyes of the beholder but also fulfils an auspicious purpose.

According to Hindu belief, gold and silver are considered as sacred metals. Gold is symbolic of the warm sun, while silver suggests the cool moon. Both are the quintessential metals of Indian jewellery. Pure gold does not oxidise or corrode with time, which is why Hindu tradition associates gold with immortality. Gold imagery occurs frequently in ancient Indian literature.  

In every corner of the world, people have a fascination for jewels.

According to a KPMG study the largest jewellery market is the United States with a market share of 30.8%, Japan, India, China, and the Middle East each with 8–9%, and Italy with 5%. The authors of the study predict a dramatic change in market shares by 2015, where the market share of the United States will have dropped to around 25%, and China and India will increase theirs to over 13%. The Middle East will remain more or less constant at 9%, whereas Europe's and Japan's market share will be halved and become less than 4% for Japan, and less than 3% for the biggest individual European countries, Italy and the UK.

The whole point is jewels are symbolic of love and care, around the world. So gift yourselves and your loved ones some piece of jewellery during this festive season. Celebrate, stay blessed!