Sonam Kapoor leads the seventh edition of the GJEPC Artisans Awards

the Gems and Jewelery Export Promotion Council held its seventh edition of the Artisans Awards to celebrate the talent of the Indian jewelery industry with a ceremony. Actress Sonam Kapoor presented awards to the winning designers including Aparna Kesarkar and Yamini Devasree.

“I am proud to be a part of the jewelery industry, showcasing India’s excellence in design and craftsmanship to the world,” Sonam Kapoor said in a press release. “the Artisans Awards are a great initiative of the GJEPC nurture and celebrate young talent, who are pushing the boundaries of creativity and innovation. I believe that jewelry is not just an accessory, but an art form that expresses one’s personality and style. I admire Indian designers who create stunning pieces that combine tradition and modernity and inspire women to experiment with different shapes and colors. For me, the artistic value of a piece of jewelry is more than the material value, and that is what makes it truly precious.”

the event was powered by the GIA and challenged designers to use unusual materials to create innovative jewellery. Aparna Kesarkar bagged first place in the ‘Unusual Materials’ category for a pair of cufflinks made by Laxmi Dia Jewel Private Limited and Ahalya Vijayakumar and Dipali Ghadigaonkar were named first and second runners-up respectively. Yamini Devasree won first place in the ‘Objet Trouvé’ category with earrings made by VBJ, with Rashmi Kaushik and Vijay Indulkar as the first and second runners-up.

“the Artisan Jewelery Design Awards, now in its seventh edition, are a beacon for creative expression in the realm of jewelery design,” said GJEPC President Vipul Shah. “It provides a coveted platform for talented people to unleash their creativity and showcase their innovative designs. Each year, this competition features exclusive, never-before-seen masterpieces that underline the limitless innovation within our industry. In this competition, we aim to redefine the landscape of jewelery design and elevate India as a premier design hub. Aligned with the government’s Make in India campaign, the Artisan Awards reinforce GJEPC’s dedication in positioning India as a leader in design innovation.”