The inaugural edition of the India International Jewellery Awards (IIJA) 2026 brought together leading names from the jewellery industry along with a glamorous line-up of Bollywood celebrities. Held on October 2 at The Westin Mumbai Powai Lake, the prestigious evening celebrated craftsmanship, creativity, innovation and the people shaping India’s jewellery landscape. Among the prominent Guests of Honour at the star-studded event were Arbaaz Khan, Sangeeta Bijlani, Ameesha Patel, Meenakshi Seshadri and Celina Jaitly, who added plenty of Bollywood glamour to the occasion.
Organised as a collaborative initiative by the India Bullion and Jewellers Association (IBJA) and Tefla’s, IIJA 2026 marked the launch of a dedicated platform celebrating achievements across the jewellery value chain. The event brought together retailers, wholesalers, manufacturers, designers and master craftspeople under one roof. With the industry coming together for its first edition, the awards aimed to shine a spotlight not just on established names but also on the creativity, skill and innovation driving the sector forward.
The scale of the inaugural ceremony was reflected in the response it received even before the awards night. The platform recorded around 200 nominations from across different segments of the jewellery industry, covering areas including retail, manufacturing, design and bullion. A total of 50 honours were presented under six broad themes collectively described as “Six Shades of Brilliance.” These included The Business of Brilliance, India Shines, The Makers of Magic, Craft Without Boundaries, The People Changing the Game and Icons, Legends & Legacy, creating a wide-ranging celebration of talent and achievement.
The red carpet added a strong celebrity touch to the evening, with Arbaaz Khan, Sangeeta Bijlani, Ameesha Patel, Meenakshi Seshadri and Celina Jaitly attending as Guests of Honour. Their presence underlined the glamorous appeal of an event that brought together the worlds of entertainment, luxury and jewellery. From Bollywood veterans to contemporary stars, the celebrity guests became an integral part of an evening designed to celebrate both the artistic and business sides of the jewellery industry.
Technology and sustainability also formed an important part of the awards’ larger vision. India Gold Metaverse (IGM) came on board as the Title Partner, while the World Gold Council joined as Knowledge Partner and Malabar Group as Sustainability Partner. Royal Chain Limited was also among the notable partners associated with the event. The combination of industry institutions, technology-focused initiatives and sustainability partnerships reflected the changing landscape of the jewellery business and the growing importance of innovation beyond traditional craftsmanship.
With its first edition, the India International Jewellery Awards 2026 has created a new platform for recognising the diverse talent behind India’s jewellery ecosystem. The presence of celebrities such as Arbaaz Khan, Sangeeta Bijlani, Ameesha Patel, Meenakshi Seshadri and Celina Jaitly added star power to a night focused on celebrating excellence, while the strong number of nominations highlighted the breadth of participation from the industry. As the awards establish themselves, IIJA aims to bring greater visibility to the craftsmen, designers, businesses and visionaries contributing to India’s longstanding jewellery legacy.
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