The second edition of the BDB Leadership Series, themed “Polishing Our Future,” concluded on a high note, bringing together eminent speakers and thought leaders to reflect on the evolving landscape of the gem and jewellery sector.
The three-day event at Bharat Diamond Bourse (BDB) opened with two days of research paper presentations as part of the Advances in Gem & Diamond Research & Technology (AGDRT) annual meet, organised by the Gemmological Institute of India. The final day featured the Leadership Series, packed with keynote addresses, panel discussions, and interactive sessions.
H.E. Mr. Frank Geerkens, Consul General of Belgium in Mumbai, inaugurated the event with a traditional lamp-lighting ceremony. In his remarks, BDB President Anoop Mehta underlined the importance of the series, addressing pressing challenges like US tariff hikes, global economic uncertainty, and the need for stronger engagement with ASEAN and Far Eastern markets.
Tom Moses, Executive Vice President of GIA, shared insights via an online session on diamond origin and provenance technologies, while also answering questions on certification and grading. Liang Weizhang, Founder of Hubwis Strategic Creations (China), provided a detailed perspective on the Chinese and Hong Kong markets and their growth trajectory.
A panel on consumer preferences in India and the Middle East featured Pratap Kamath (Abaran Timeless Jewellery), KP Abdul Salaam (Malabar Group), and Siddharthaa Sawansukha (Sawansukha Jewellers), who unanimously identified both markets as strong growth drivers.
Another highlight was a fireside chat between Pranay Narvekar (Pharos Beam Consulting LLP) and Mithun Sacheti (Co-founder & former CEO, CaratLane), where Sacheti openly discussed CaratLane’s growth journey and entrepreneurial challenges, offering lessons for emerging and established leaders.
For the first time, a panel moderated by consultant Nirupa Bhat brought together voices from both natural and lab-grown segments, including Smit Patel (Greenlab LGD Diamonds), Olivia Landau (The Clearcut), and Ashish Pethe (Waman Hari Pethe Jewellers). Their discussion examined opportunities, challenges, and the future of both markets, with Pethe presenting the retail outlook.
Wrapping up the series, BDB Vice President Mehul Shah praised the event as “one of the most educational and insightful” in recent times, reaffirming BDB’s commitment to hosting thought leaders and shaping dialogue for the industry. The proceedings concluded with a vote of thanks from Committee Member Jay Parikh.
With experts from Russia, the US, China, and India sharing one platform, this edition stood out for its collaborative spirit and focus on driving growth and consolidation in the global jewellery industry.