Through a structured industry visit to the Bharat Diamond Bourse and leading diamantaires, the International Institute of Gemology (IIG) took up experiential learning, equipping students with real-world insights across manufacturing, trade and retail
Mumbai: The International Institute of Gemology (IIG) is sharpening its focus on experiential learning, reinforcing its industry-aligned pedagogy through an immersive visit to the Bharat Diamond Bourse (BDB), one of the world’s largest diamond trading centres.
The initiative brought students face-to-face with key players across the diamond value chain, including Hari Krishna Exports Pvt. Ltd., Kiran Gems, Finestar Diamonds, Arham Exports and KISNA Diamond & Gold Jewellery, offering a comprehensive view of manufacturing, trading and retail dynamics.
As the jewellery industry evolves faster than traditional curriculums, IIG is positioning itself as a bridge between academic instruction and real-world application. The institute’s model integrates structured classroom learning with direct industry exposure, enabling students to understand market realities, operational complexities and strategic positioning.
At Hari Krishna Exports, Hitarth Dholakia encouraged students to pursue excellence while developing an entrepreneurial mindset, underlining the importance of delegation as businesses scale. “Learning individuals are earning individuals,” he noted, emphasizing continuous skill-building.
At Kiran Gems, Dinesh Lakhani highlighted the value of industry-academia collaboration, stating that knowledge-sharing initiatives play a crucial role in preparing future professionals. The interaction underscored how curiosity and engagement can accelerate learning outcomes when paired with practical exposure.
Providing a macroeconomic perspective, Nilesh Chhabria of Finestar Diamonds outlined the impact of global challenges, including U.S. tariffs, on the diamond trade. He also explained the company’s niche strategy in larger diamonds (3-10 carats), offering students insights into differentiation in a competitive global market.
Operational depth came into focus at Arham Exports, where Vidhyut Shah demonstrated the importance of precision in grading and efficiency in procurement, particularly in the melee diamond segment. The company’s scale—supplying to hundreds of jewellers across domestic and international markets—highlighted the role of systems and reliability in sustaining growth.
Adding a retail lens, insights from KISNA brought attention to branding, distribution and the translation of diamonds into consumer-facing products, completing the end-to-end industry perspective.
The visit to BDB itself allowed students to observe the scale, security infrastructure and trade mechanisms that underpin India’s diamond ecosystem, offering a rare behind-the-scenes view of global supply chain operations.
For students, the experience proved transformative. Tapiwa Chidzodzo from Zimbabwe described it as an “eye-opener”, noting that witnessing the journey of a diamond in real time helped connect classroom theory with industry practice.
Rahul Desai, CEO and Managing Director of IIG, said the institute’s goal is to move beyond awareness to readiness. “When students enter environments like BDB, they begin absorbing market intelligence and developing professional instincts,” he said.
As the jewellery sector becomes more complex and competitive, IIG’s experiential approach reflects a broader shift in education—one that prioritizes industry immersion as a catalyst for building future-ready talent.
Retail Jeweller India News
