In its continuous endeavour to help students practically understand the functioning of the Gems and Jewelry industry, J K Diamonds Institute of Gems & Jewelry organised a visit for over 25 students to the prestigious India International Jewelry Show (IIJS), held in August 2016. Students of J K Diamonds Institute have been visiting IIJS regularly since the last 12 years.
This initiative was taken considering that the student community and outsiders are generally not entertained at such exhibitions. Hence, visiting such exhibitions does not provide a learning experience. Therefore, the Institute’s team of Faculties have taken personal efforts to introduce the students to the Gems and jewelry fraternity, especially the prestigious Alumni of the Institute. More than 40 Alumni members of J K Diamonds Institute now exhibit at IIJS and other International shows regularly, with whom the students can connect thereby enhancing their industry exposure.
The Show gets Bigger
This year, the IIJS experienced several more exhibitors and hence was organised at two different venues in Mumbai, NESCO at Goregaon and The Lalit at Andheri. The Machinery section was held at The Lalit. Over 25 Students of J K Diamonds Institute participated in the visit and were allowed to explore both the venues.
Special Session with Fine Jewellery (Jewellery manufacturers)
Jaynil Ajmera of J K Diamonds Institute along with Fine Jewellery organised a special workshop session at their Stall. The students were explained about the business model of Fine Jewellery and how they identify their base of wholesale customers to sell them in quantity. The session also focussed on the gems and jewelry markets in international countries and how they target prospective customers based on product requirements.
Workshop at Mukti Gold
The students were then taken to Mukti Gold, owned by JK Alumni Dineshbhai Jain and Nikhil Jain. Here, the students were explained about the changeable jewelry concept. The new Rose Gold collection with exclusive designer collection launched by Mukti Gold was also viewed by the students. They were explained about making charges (labour charges) as well as gold wastage calculation concept followed by their company.
Success story of B N Jewellers
Next stop was another JK Alumni, Kalpesh bhai Rawal of B N Jewellers. Kalpesh bhai explained how he evolved his business model from purely focussing on gold jewelry in wholesale to foraying into platinum jewelry segment. Due to a drastic fall in platinum prices as compared to gold in the recent months, the demand for platinum jewelry has risen substantially. B N Jewellers has gradually become a premier brand in platinum jewelry and has received several awards for the same.
Diamonds & Gemstone section:
Gemology Graduate students got a chance to compare the price of colored stones in Indian market especially at Jaipur stalls vis-à-vis International market at Bangkok pavilion. Several varieties of Precious, Semi-Precious and Rare stones were showcased at IIJS.
Diamond Graduate students visited stalls specialising in different sized diamonds as well as fancy shapes. Since J K Diamonds Institute trains students based on market pricing they were able to compare the prices that diamond exhibitors had to offer and could differentiate between the manufacturer’s margin, diamond wholesaler’s margin, diamond merchant and diamond retailers’ margin.
Concluding First day of visit
The students explored several stalls across the six halls checking various innovative trends and designs showcased by the exhibitors marvellously. They also visited the stall of our current student at Amba Jewellers. The growing importance of specialisation in the jewellery sector was highlighted here. The day ended on a high note students enjoying and learning every bit of IIJS 2016.
Machinery Section
The next day, the students attended the Machinery Section at The Lalit Hotel situated in Andheri (E). Demo of various equipments for Synthetic Diamond Detection was given to the students including D-Secure, DiaSure, IIDGR’s Diamond View and Diamond Sure among others. The fundamentals used by these machines to detect and how it helps to study the growth pattern of the diamonds by use of fluorescence was explained as well.
The students then witnessed demos of Rough Diamond Planners and Laser cutting (4P/5P) machines. From a Jewelry perspective as well, the students were able to practically understand the process of Computer Aided Manufacturing (CAM) and Jewelry Casting. Technology evolution in 3D printing was also showcased at the IIJS 2016. Latest 3D printers were present using Direct Metal Laser Sintering (DMLS) technology that abolishes the process of RPT and wax piece and directly obtain the mountings in gold.
Further seen were readymade metal balls (grains) of different purity used in the Casting process at JK Alumni’s stall, Harsh Gopani of Harsh Metals and Alloys.
There was a separate Gold refining section displaying automated equipments to differentiate and sort gold from different metals. Gold testing machines were also seen here. J K Diamonds Institute even tested with samples to understand the accuracy of these machines.
Enamelling
There was several designer jewelry showcasing Enamelling / Meenakari work on metal. Students were explained how enamelling slightly increases the total weight of the jewelry. However, most jewellers include this increase in weight in the gold weight that is charged to the customer.
Spectrum Seminars at IIJS 2016
Meanwhile, Naman Ajmera, J K Diamonds Institute, attended Spectrum Seminars organised during IIJS every year. It is a forum where panellists share their views on various topics that impact the Gems and Jewelry Industry. The seminars revolved around Skill Development, Digital Marketing, Millennial mindset, Export strategies for gems & jewelry industry among others. Naman Ajmera also won two awards for the Q&A sessions during the Spectrum Seminars.
A Fruitful experience
IIJS 2016 was indeed a fruitful experience for the students and a great platform for network building. Detailed discussions about IIJS as well as the Spectrum Seminars were also held during regular lectures at the Institute. J K Diamonds Institute is always actively involved and known for 100% practical oriented knowledge and market experience. Hence, it has established itself as a premier Institute for Gems & Jewelry Education. The students were thankful and requested the Institute to organise more such events in future.
