The winning pieces of the 27 finalists will be showcased at leading international platforms such as JCK Las Vegas, Vicenzaoro, IIJS Bharat Mumbai and SAJEX in Saudi Arabia
Mumbai: The 9th edition of the Artisan Jewellery Design Awards 2026, organized by the Gem & Jewellery Export Promotion Council (GJEPC) and curated by The Futurist, held in Mumbai, brought together the finest expressions of creativity, craftsmanship and innovation in jewellery design.
The Artisan Awards 2026 was powered by GIA and supported by the World Gold Council, and held in the presence of Lucia Silvestri, Creative Director & Gems Buying Director, Bvlgari; Amedeo Scognamiglio, Founder & Creative Director, RFMAS Jewellery Group; Dr Annapurna Garimella, Art Historian & Designer; Siddharth Kasliwal, Founder, Gem Palace; Milan Chokshi, Founder, Moksh; Amit Pratihari, Managing Director, GIA India; and Paola De Luca, Creative Director & Trend Forecaster, and Curator of the Artisan Awards.
From GJEPC, the event was attended by Kirit Bhansali, Chairman; Shaunak Parikh, Vice Chairman; Ashish Borda, Convener – Promotions, Marketing & Business Development; Jayanti Savaliya, Regional Chairman – Gujarat; Vijay Mangukiya, Convener – International Exhibitions; Mansukh Kothari, Convener – Events; and Sabyasachi Ray, Executive Director.
Instituted in 2014, the theme for this year’s Artisan Awards ‘Quantum Couture: Re-engineering Beauty and Cultural Codes’, explored a powerful shift in how jewellery is conceived and experienced; where heritage is not just preserved, but reinterpreted for a new era.
Through three creative directions—Embroidery, Micro-Painting and Poetic Layers—designers presented jewellery that is fluid, expressive, and deeply conceptual, blending traditional craftsmanship with technology, story-telling, and contemporary design thinking.
Embroidery re-imagined textile traditions as structure—where elements like lace, thread, and brocade were translated into metal and gemstones. Techniques such as filigree and jali evolved into intricate frameworks, creating pieces that felt layered, lightweight, and architectural.
Micro-Painting celebrated precision and story-telling at a miniature scale, drawing from heritage crafts like meenakari and miniature art. Each piece became a detailed narrative, where craftsmanship, symbolism, and technique came together to create intimate and meaningful expressions.
Poetic Layers explored jewellery as a multi-dimensional form—where nature, emotion, and structure intertwined. Through organic shapes and layered compositions, designers created pieces that felt fluid, sculptural, and deeply expressive.
With over 550 entries, the competition culminated in 27 finalists, whose ideas were brought to life by leading manufacturers. The 27 winning pieces will go on to be showcased at leading international platforms such as JCK Las Vegas, Vicenzaoro, IIJS Bharat Mumbai, SAJEX in Saudi Arabia, and other leading trade shows, taking the brilliance of Indian jewellery design to a wider global audience and reinforcing India’s growing presence in design-led jewellery.
Kirit Bhansali, Chairman, GJEPC said,“India has long been recognized as a manufacturing powerhouse, but the next phase of growth lies in becoming a global design destination. Platforms like the Artisan Awards play a crucial role in encouraging original thinking and shaping the future identity of Indian jewellery.”
Lucia Silvestri, Jewellery Creative & Gems Buying Director, Bvlgari, said,“I have always been deeply fascinated by India’s extraordinary heritage in jewellery, a tradition that is incredibly rich in craftsmanship, symbolism and artistry. There is a profound sense of history and culture embedded in every detail, which makes it a constant source of inspiration for me. Having reviewed the design sketches, I was particularly struck by the way this heritage is being reinterpreted through a contemporary lens. There is a beautiful balance between tradition and innovation, where legacy meets modern creativity.”
“I am honoured to be part of India’s enduring legacy of jewellery and craftsmanship. India continues to inspire the world of jewellery, now empowering a new wave of creative voices and future icons. From heritage to horizon, India fuels the next generation of jewellery designers redefining global aesthetics,” said Paola De Luca, Creative Director & Strategist, The Futurist LLC.
Ashish Borda, Convener, Promotions, & Marketing, GJEPC, said,“With over 550 entries responding to the theme of Quantum Couture, we witnessed bold imagination and fresh interpretations. Designers embraced heritage as a foundation to create something distinctly modern, reflecting the growing maturity of the talent pool. Through platforms like the Artisan Awards, GJEPC remains committed to nurturing design innovation and strengthening India’s position in high-value, design-led jewellery.”
The awards were adjudicated by an eminent jury comprising Lucia Silvestri, Creative Director & Gems Buying Director, Bvlgari; Amedeo Scognamiglio, Founder & Creative Director, RFMAS Jewellery Group; Dr Annapurna Garimella, Art Historian & Designer; Siddharth Kasliwal, Founder, Gem Palace; and Milan Chokshi, Founder, Moksh.
The Gem & Jewellery Export Promotion Council (GJEPC), set up in 1966, is the apex body of the gems & jewellery industry and today represents 10900+ members in the sector.
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