Jury members noted a growing emphasis on versatile design and the creative use of coloured gemstones as they evaluated this year’s entries
Mumbai: The stage was set for the 21st Retail Jeweller India Awards, as an eminent jury of jewellery connoisseurs gathered in Mumbai to evaluate entries and select winners from among this year’s finest jewellery designs competing across 24 categories. The awards, reputed as a benchmark for design advancements and innovation in the Indian jewellery industry, will be presented at a grand event on the evening of August 7, 2026.
The 21st Retail Jeweller India Awards are being presented by the Indian Natural Diamond Retailers Alliance (INDRA) and Gemological Institute of America (GIA) in association with Eyora.
As per the stringent guidelines the retailer identities remained undisclosed, keeping the focus firmly on creativity, craftsmanship, and innovation, giving every piece an equal opportunity to be assessed on its own merit for an award.
As the jury members moved through the entries, conversations gravitated towards a few recurring themes. One of them was that designers appeared more willing to experiment this year, particularly with coloured gemstones, which featured prominently across several categories. Another talking point was the noticeable shift towards jewellery that offers greater versatility, allowing statement pieces to be worn beyond traditional occasions without compromising on design or craftsmanship.
Long-time jury member Nawaz Modi Singhania, Founder, Body Art & Fitness Centre, described the jury meet as a valuable window into the changing landscape of jewellery design. “This is one platform where I get to see jewellery designs from across the country. It helps me understand what’s trending, what’s new and, as a consumer, even influences what I would like to purchase and invest in,” she said, offering the perspective of a consumer in addition to her jury viewpoint.
Returning juror celebrity chef Ananya Banerjee found herself drawn to bridal creations that combined traditional craftsmanship with a more practical approach to design. “The bridal jewellery pieces stood out for me. The craftsmanship was wonderful and deeply Indian, but what I liked most was that many of these pieces in non-bridal had been designed to be worn in different ways.”
While bridal jewellery continued to command attention, contemporary collections displayed a stronger focus on flexibility and everyday relevance. “An elephant ring that looked uniquely different in the form of a pendant, a pair of earrings that doubles up as a neckpiece,” she noted, adding that the participating jewellers should continue creating such distinctive work.
A similar observation came from Vidita Kamath, Chef and Founder of Mezclaa, who appreciated the originality visible across categories. She noted, “Contemporary jewellery is becoming increasingly versatile, allowing consumers to wear the same pieces across different occasions rather than reserving them for special events.”
The discussions also highlighted the growing role of coloured gemstones in shaping this year’s collections. Rather than serving as supporting elements, coloured stones became central to several designs, lending character and individuality to bridal, couture and contemporary jewellery alike. Combined with cleaner forms and innovative settings, the designs reflected a willingness among designers to explore newer ideas while staying commercially relevant.
For Parizad Kolah Marshall, television host, event anchor and creator, the experience was a reminder that jewellery is as much about story-telling as it is about craftsmanship. “The designs had interesting themes and back stories. Every piece had its own identity, and I also appreciated the thought that had gone into categorizing them in different clusters,” she said. She commented how traditional categories like gold bangles are taking on a modern form to suit all occasions.
For Dr Geetika Mittal, Founder & MD, ISAAC Luxe, the jury meet was an opportunity to appreciate not only the finished pieces but also the thought process behind them. “Every piece had a story to tell, and you could see the passion with which it had been crafted. What I also found encouraging was the growing focus on wearability. Jewellery today is being designed to move effortlessly from day to evening and to complement both Indian and Western wardrobes, making it far more versatile than earlier,” she observed.
She added that one of the most rewarding aspects of the jury meet was seeing how jewellery from different parts of the country reflected distinct design sensibilities, giving the panel an opportunity to appreciate the diversity of Indian craftsmanship on one platform.
Supriya Mody, Founder and CEO of global luxury skincare brand FutureMe reflected on her experience at the 21st Retail Jeweller India Awards jury meet, saying, “Being part of this year’s jury was both a privilege and a responsibility I truly valued. The depth of thought, originality and execution across the entries made the deliberations both engaging and inspiring. Congratulations to all the nominees—your work reflects the passion, excellence, and vision that will define the future of design.”
With discussions ranging from craftsmanship and originality to functionality and evolving consumer tastes, the Grand Jury meet reflected an industry that continues to push creative boundaries to support the new idea of design – a canvas of self-expression and individuality. The diversity of entries and the conversations they sparked reaffirmed why the Retail Jeweller India Awards remains the foremost platform for recognizing design excellence in India.
THE JURY
Here is the composition of the full jury (part of online evaluation and/or the physical jury meet):
Nawaz Modi Singhania, Founder, Body Art & Fitness Centre
Pria Kataaria Puri, Designer – Pria Kataaria Puri
Namrata Shroff, Founder, NVS Design & Powna Sake
Kanika Terkriwal, Founder, JetSetGo
Ananya Banerjee, Celebrity Chef
Supriya Mody, Founder & CEO, FutureMe
Schauna Chauhan, CEO, Parle Agro Pvt Ltd
Dr Geetika Mittal, Founder & MD, ISAAC Luxe
Tanaaz Doshi, Fashion Curator
Parizad Kolah Marshall, TV/Event Host & Creator
Vidita Kamath, Chef & Founder, Mezclaa
JURY MOMENTS
Retail Jeweller India Exclusive
