BDB Leadership Series 2025: Global Experts Shape Future of Gems & Jewellery

Mumbai | Maharashtra — With the theme “Polishing Our Future”, the second edition of the BDB Leadership Series concluded  at Bharat Diamond Bourse (BDB), bringing together some of the most influential voices in the global gem and jewellery industry. The event, held alongside the annual AGDRT (Advances in Gem & Diamond Research & Technology) conference by the Gemmological Institute of India (GII), served as a convergence point of research, strategy, and leadership for the sector.

The three-day conference opened with a traditional lamp-lighting ceremony in the presence of Frank Geerkens, Consul General of Belgium in Mumbai, the chief guest of the event. Setting the tone for the Leadership Series,  Anoop Mehta, President of BDB, addressed the gathering, emphasizing the significance of dialogue in turbulent times.

“The gem and jewellery industry is navigating multiple challenges — from recently imposed US tariffs on Indian exports to global economic volatility and the need to understand ASEAN and Far Eastern markets,” said Mehta. “The BDB Leadership Series is critical in bringing industry heads and opinion leaders to one platform to address these pressing concerns.”

Technology, Markets, and Future Trajectories

In an online keynote, Tom Moses, Executive Vice President of GIA, highlighted how technology is reshaping diamond origin tracking and provenance certification. He fielded questions on grading and the role of advanced technology in safeguarding consumer trust.

Adding an international perspective, Liang Weizhang, Founder of Hubwis Strategic Creations (China), presented an in-depth analysis of the Chinese and Hong Kong markets. His insights into consumer trends and future trajectories earned strong appreciation from participants.

A panel discussion on India and the Middle East markets featured Pratap Kamath (Abaran Timeless Jewellery Pvt Ltd), KP Abdul Salaam (Malabar Group), and Siddharthaa Sawansukha (Sawansukha Jewellers). The session revealed a unified optimism, with panelists underlining the Middle East and India as rapidly growing segments with robust opportunities.

Inspiration and Innovation

One of the most talked-about sessions was the Fireside Chat between Pranay Narvekar (Pharos Beam Consulting LLP) and Mithun Sacheti, Founder of Caratlane. Sacheti’s candid narration of Caratlane’s growth journey, filled with challenges and breakthroughs, left young entrepreneurs and established businessmen equally inspired.

Another standout session was the first-of-its-kind panel on Natural vs. Lab-Grown Diamonds, chaired by Ms. Nirupa Bhat, Industry Consultant. With Smit Patel (Greenlab LGD Diamonds), Olivia Landau (The Clearcut), and Ashish Pethe (Waman Hari Pethe), the discussion emphasized collaboration rather than competition. Pethe added a strong retail perspective, underscoring consumer behavior shifts.

“A step towards consolidation”

As the series wrapped up, Mehul Shah, Vice President of BDB, lauded the effort. “Indeed, one of the best educational as well as informative series witnessed during recent times in BDB. The Leadership Series is growing in content, and our endeavor to bring opinion leaders and expert speakers to BDB will remain consistent.”