Mumbai 14th February 2024 (GNI): Sonam Kapoor and GJEPC Chairman Vipul Shah and winners of GJEPC’s Artisan Awards 2024 with other dignitaries at the grande finale held at IF.BE in Mumbai – photo by GNI
Actress & Style Icon Sonam Kapoor graces the 7th Artisan Jewellery Design Awards held in Mumbai – photo by GNI
Mumbai, 14th February 2024 (GNI): L to R: Mr. Milan Chokshi (Convener, Promotions & Marketing, GJEPC); Mr. Sabyasachi Ray (Executive Director, GJEPC); Mr. Sriram Natarajan (Managing Director, GIA India); actress Sonam Kapoor; Mr. Vipul Shah (Chairman, GJEPC); and Mr. Kirit Bhansali (Vice Chairman, GJEPC); at GJEPC’s Artisan Awards 2024 held at IF.BE – Photo by GNI
National, 14th February 2024 (GNI): The 7th edition of The Artisan Jewellery Design Awards, hosted by the Gem & Jewellery Export Promotion Council (GJEPC) and powered by GIA, challenged designers to tap uncharted territory by integrating unusual materials and cherished objects into their jewellery designs, to infuse their pieces with a unique identity.
Mumbai, 14th February 2024 (GNI): Mr. Milan Chokshi (Convener, Promotions & Marketing, GJEPC) showcases The Artisan Awards exhibits to actress Sonam Kapoor in the presence of Ms. Dolly Choudhary (Director, PM&BD, GJEPC) at GJEPC’s Artisan Awards 2024 held at IF.BE in Mumbai – photo by GNI
Actress and style icon Sonam Kapoor graced GJEPC’s 7th edition of Artisan Jewellery Design Awards in Mumbai and presented awards to winners. Sonam Kapoor graced the stage with an aura of elegance and charisma along Mr. Vipul Shah (Chairman, GJEPC); Mr. Kirit Bhansali (Vice Chairman, GJEPC); Mr. Sriram Natarajan (Managing Director, GIA India); Mr. Milan Chokshi (Convener, Promotions & Marketing, GJEPC); Mr. Sabyasachi Ray (Executive Director, GJEPC) bestowed the coveted awards upon 6 Artisan winners.
Mumbai, 14th February 2024 (GNI): GJEPC The Artisan Awards 2025 winner for OBJET TROUVÉ: Winner – Earrings designed by Yamini Devasree and manufactured by VBJ; in Mumbai – Photo by GNI
This year the theme for the Artisan Jewellery Desing Award were two unconventional themes – ‘Objet Trouvé’ (Found Objects) and ‘Unusual Materials’.
Mumbai 14th February 2024 (GNI): GJEPC The Artisan Awards 2025 winner for Unusual Materials: – Cufflinks designed by Aparna Kesarkar and manufactured by Laxmi Dia Jewel Pvt. Ltd.; – in Mumbai – photo by GNI
The concept of ‘Objet Trouvé’ centred around crafting jewellery pieces that capture the essence of treasured objects from the past within a contemporary context. While the second theme, ‘Unusual Materials’ encouraged designers to create a dialogue between the familiar and the unexpected by combining contrasting materials with at least 50% precious materials.
Actress & style icon Sonam Kapoor said, “I am proud to be a part of the jewellery industry, which showcases India’s excellence in design and craftsmanship to the world. The Artisan Awards is a great initiative by the GJEPC to nurture and celebrate young talent, who are pushing the boundaries of creativity and innovation. I believe that jewellery is not just an accessory, but an art form that expresses one’s personality and style. I admire the Indian designers who create stunning pieces that blend tradition & modernity, and inspire women to experiment with different forms and colours. For me, the artistic value of a jewellery piece is more than the material value, and that is what makes it truly precious.”
Milan Chokshi, Convener, Promotions & Marketing, GJEPC, said, “Fine jewellery is the foremost amongst all art forms, revered for not only its craft and material value, but also its emotional and aesthetic resonance. It transcends mere material worth, personifying a labour of love for the designer and artisan who infuse it with life through their skilled craftsmanship. There is an ever growing group of discerning customers that are now increasingly looking at jewellery more as an art form, rather than ornamental. The entries in this edition of The Artisan have been particularly inspiring, and we at the Council, are confident that passing the baton to future designers will drive Indian jewellery design to new heights.”
This jewellery design contest ignited a spark a wave of creativity, prompting nearly 600 participants from India and abroad to push the envelope, and create a new design grammar. The outcome surpassed expectations, breathtaking creations that challenged convention.
The list of winners
UNUSUAL MATERIALS: Winner – Cufflinks designed by Aparna Kesarkar and manufactured by Laxmi Dia Jewel Pvt. Ltd.; First Runner-up – Bracelet designed by Ahalya Vijayakumar and manufactured by VBJ; Second Runner-up – Earrings designed by Dipali Ghadigaonkar and manufactured by KP Sanghvi Jewels Pvt. Ltd.
OBJET TROUVÉ: Winner – Earrings designed by Yamini Devasree and manufactured by VBJ; First Runner-up – Hairstick designed by Rashmi Kaushik and manufactured by Kiran Jewels; Second Runner-up – Earrings designed by Vijay Indulkar and Manufactured by Walking Tree Venture Pvt. Ltd.
The entries underwent thorough scrutiny by a distinguished jury comprising Alice Cicolini, a renowned UK jewellery designer; Biren Vaidya, Managing Director of The Rose Group; Payal Singhal, Fashion Designer; Apoorva Deshingkar, Senior Director of Education and Market Development at GIA India; and Toktam Shekarriz, a jewellery designer based in Dubai.
The technical jury included Devinder Layal, Jewellery Artiste and Educationist; Meenal Choksi, Head of Design, Moksh Fine Unseen Jewellery; Sushama Kalzunkar Sawant, PD & Merchandising Head, Diagold Creation; Janki Choksi, Founder, Janki Choksi Designs; Gunjan Sapra, COO & Head of Department, Jewellery Designs, International Institute of Gemology, and a GIA Instructor, to honour the best and most talented jewellery designers.
During this illustrious event, GJEPC also honoured industry stalwarts whose remarkable contributions have made a lasting impact on both the domestic and global fronts. The nominations were evaluated by a distinguished three-member jury comprising Arundhati De, jewellery expert and bespoke jewellery shopping consultant; Devinder Layal and Sushma Kalzunkar Sawant.
Farah Khan, renowned jewellery designer, was honoured with the Design Excellence Award, while Rahul Jhaveri, Creative Head and Co-founder of Studio Renn, was bestowed with the prestigious Global Indian Jewellery Designer award.
Intergem Exports (YS18) was chosen as the proud recipient of the Manufacturing Excellence Award, underscoring its commitment to quality and innovation, while Birdhichand Ghanshyamdas Jewellers was acclaimed with the Retail Excellence Award for its exceptional standards and customer service.
Here’s the verdict of the jury for The Artisan finalists:
Sriram Natarajan, Managing Director, GIA India: GIA India is pleased to support The Artisan Awards – a platform that fosters a space where creativity in jewellery design thrives. Embracing the themes of ‘Unusual Materials’ and ‘Objet Trouve,’ this initiative by the Gem and Jewellery Export Promotion Council (GJEPC) aligns with our commitment to pushing artistic boundaries. Our continued support reflects the shared values of celebrating creative expression and advancing jewellery designing arts on a global scale.
Biren Vaidya, Managing Director, The Rose Group, said, “Judging the Artisan Awards has been a riveting experience, witnessing the evolution of creativity in our field over the last four decades and observing how the participants have conceptualised the story from ideas to designs, crafting them into jewels using innovation, skill, and craftsmanship.
Alice Cicolini, Avant-garde UK jewellery designer, said, “The freedom afforded to India’s young designers through these themes is commendable. Having worked in India for nearly two decades, I can attest that it stands as one of the most extraordinary nations for jewellery production, boasting incredible craftsmanship. It is refreshing to see young jewellery designers break free from traditional constraints, allowing their imaginations to take flight—an approach actively encouraged by institutions like GJEPC.”
Fashion Designer Payal Singhal said, “The Artisan Awards highlight a remarkable standard. The ability to work with challenging materials and produce versatile, aesthetically pleasing, and finely crafted jewellery is a testament to the high level of expertise present in our country. As for elevating jewellery into wearable art, initiatives like The Artisan play a crucial role. Supporting and motivating young designers and jewellery brands to embrace this perspective will contribute to the evolution of jewellery as a form of artistic expression rather than merely a complement to attire or a symbol of status.”
The two-day art festival was held on February 12th-13th, 2024, at Ice Factory, Ballard Estate, Mumbai, and drew a diverse audience including curators, art gallery owners, patrons, art school students and faculty members, socialites, celebrities, connoisseurs, architects, painters, sculptors, and jewellery designers.
About The Gem and Jewellery Export Promotion Council (GJEPC)
The Gem & Jewellery Export Promotion Council (GJEPC), set up by the Ministry of Commerce, Government of India (GoI) in 1966, is one of several Export Promotion Councils (EPCs) launched by the Indian Government, to boost the country’s export thrust, when India’s post-Independence economy began making forays in the international markets. Since 1998, the GJEPC has been granted autonomous status. The GJEPC is the apex body of the gems & jewellery industry and today around 9,600 members in the sector. With headquarters in Mumbai, GJEPC has Regional Offices in New Delhi, Kolkata, Chennai, Surat and Jaipur, all of which are major centres for the industry. It thus has a wide reach and is able to have a closer interaction with members to serve them in a direct and more meaningful manner. Over the past decades, GJEPC has emerged as one of the most active EPCs and has continuously strived to both expand its reach and depth in its promotional activities as well as widen and increase services to its members.
Among the highlights of the event were the six winning pieces that captured the attention of attendees:
UNUSUAL MATERIALS
Winner
Designed by Aparna Kesarkar; Manufactured by Laxmi Dia Jewel Pvt. Ltd.
First Runner-up
The curvaceous black gold bracelet is designed with areca palm leaves and studded with diamonds.
Designed by Ahalya Vijayakumar; Manufactured by Vummidi Bangaru Jewellers
Second Runner-up
Inspired by the Konark Sun Temple, the stylised spherical earrings employ wood, gold, natural white sapphires, and citrine.
Designed by Dipali Ghadigaonkar
Manufactured by KP Sanghvi Jewels Pvt. Ltd.
OBJET TROUVÉ
Winner
Designed by Yamini Devasree; Manufactured by Vummidi Bangaru Jewellers
First Runner-up
Designed by Rashmi Kaushik; Manufactured by Kiran Jewels
Second Runner-up
The earrings are crafted from genuine one-rupee notes, featuring 10-paise old, scalloped coins as posts encased in gold. The folded earrings are adorned with diamonds.
Designed by Vijay Indulkar; Manufactured by Walking Tree Venture Pvt. Ltd.
Designed by Rashmi Kaushik; Manufactured by Kiran Jewels
Second Runner-up
The earrings are crafted from genuine one-rupee notes, featuring 10-paise old, scalloped coins as posts encased in gold. The folded earrings are adorned with diamonds.ends GNI
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