17th FURA Retail Jewellers India Awards 2022: Of Pride, Prestige & Perfection

After a Covid-break of two consecutive years, the 17th edition of FURA Retail Jeweller India Awards 2022 (RJIA), recognised as the Oscars of India’s retail jewellery industry, in association with Solitaire Gemological Laboratories (SGL), Omaxe Chowk and Ithra Dubai was held on the 6th of August 2022  at The Grand Hyatt in Santacruz. Over 700 jewellers were present at this gala event.

The 17th FURA Retail Jeweller India Awards 2022 (RJIA), India’s first recognition platform for Indian Jewellers, has grown into the most coveted, most prestigious prize for design, retail and marketing excellence in the Indian retail jewellery industry. The Retail Jeweller India Awards does more than appreciate brilliant design and marketing prowess— it celebrates and honours them.

Past participants had palpable excitement this year about participating in the awards after a two-year gap. Jewellers reimagined designs in the post–Covid era, imbuing more excellent value of individuality, craftsmanship and usability in every creation. And the designs that drew the jury’s attention were far removed from the heavy, conventionally large and voluminous pieces. Instead, the designs with less, but better aesthetics and more personality won the jury’s hearts.

Another notable development in the awards this year is the glorious rise of jewellers from smaller towns and cities, their participation, and victory over design stalwarts from bigger cities.

The trend evidences how retailers in the hinterlands are upping the design game to meet the insatiable demand from consumers who now have online visibility into newer choices beyond their local boundaries. The increased consumer accessibility is leading to greater homogeneity in design choices amongst consumers across India.

It is also leading to a remarkably high standard of competition and a long list of new and deserving entrants in the ‘Elite circle of excellence’ as first-time winners and nominees, particularly from smaller cities and towns.

This year, the jury comprised a select few individuals from art, fashion, media and business. The jury included: Nawaz Modi Singhania, Leading Fitness Trainer & Lifestyle Icon; Pria Kataria Puri, Fashion Designer; Rina Dhaka, Fashion Designer; Suchhanda Chatterjee, Promotor Director Speciality Restaurant Ltd. & Producer Quest Films Pvt. Ltd.; Sanjana Shah, Creative Director, Tao Art Gallery; Vaishali Shadangule, Fashion Designer, Vaishali S; Vidita Vithal Kamat, Kamat Group.

In accord with the changing demographics of the consumers, the jury comprised a favourable mix of youth jury members representing a new voice for the evolving sensibilities of craft and design and the veterans. With their immense exposure to luxe lifestyles across the globe, they brought in the discernment of the finest degree while assessing the winning masterworks.

Overall, the RJIA 2022, a yearly extravaganza of high jewellery and unique designs, where master jewellers showcase their design prowess to a distinctive panel of jurors, media and influencers, was an exciting affair graced by bollywood personalities and beauty pageants, including Anupriya Goenka, Zoya Afroz and Neha Ahuja.

Courtesy: Retail Jeweller India News