Elite Jewellery Trends From The Exclusive Couture India Show 2019

A destination to the most exclusive and stylish designer jewellery trends and emerging innovations, Couture India Show held its 4th Edition from the 26th – 28th September 2019 at the Taj Palace in New Delhi. This business boutique show ventured by Indian Jeweller (IJ) Magazine showcased the most exclusive and elegant designs for high-end buyers and contacts.

I wouldn’t have missed the chance to explore the variety of bespoke jewellery pieces curated by an array of talented designers and jewellery manufacturers who encompassed everything from diamond jewellery, polki and antique jewellery, loose diamond and colored gemstone jewellery. There was a separate section, Hall of Retail Innovation that focused on the modern technological equipment and softwares available for the Gems and Jewellery industry.

This was my second year at the Couture India show and they only get better by the year. This year showcased 60 top jewellery manufacturers, approx 100 + hosted buyers from around India and approx 800 jewellers in and around New Delhi. 

Here are my highlights from the Couture India Show 2019:

Gemstone Jewellery

• As a high-end exhibit, the jewellery at the show was innovative with a play of unusual gemstones.
• Apart from the 3 biggies i.e. Ruby, Emerald, and Sapphire; some other gemstones that seem to have been making a rage are Spinels, multi-colored Tourmalines, Amethyst, Turquoise, Citrine, Opals and Tanzanites. 
• Personally i feel Tsavorite Garnets and Morganites will be the talk of the town in gemstones.
• The Pantone shade of this year, ( Living Coral ) was seen front and center with a variety of coral jewellery.
• A good number of jewellery was set with Pearls, Mother of Pearls and Keshi Pearls.
• I am always intrigued by ear cuff designs as they can be pretty tricky to be impressive when worn on the ear. Despite its big bold look, this ear cuff surprisingly was very light weight, a sign of great craftsmanship and mechanism.
• What I also noticed is the effort the jewellery manufacturers are making in cutting gemstones in unusual shapes. We also saw some notable International designers who were showcasing their collection that blend in with the Indian audience.

Diamond Jewellery

Diamonds Are A Girls Best Friend and I completely swear by De Beers marketing policy.

• Chandeliers continue to be in vogue. I witnessed the Red carpet chandelier earrings that were donned by Deepika Padukone at the prestigious Filmfare award show 2019 and I was very excited to try them on.
• What I also noticed is that as much as red carpet jewellery impresses us, the focus has moved to making quality craftsmanship that makes the jewellery light weight, wearable for multiple occasions and shouldn’t be stacked in the locker.
• Apart from white diamonds, I also saw some unique colored diamonds and jewellery. Yellow, black, champagne and pink diamonds are some of the most popular colors that are used in jewellery after white diamonds. To know everything about colored diamonds click here

An Elite show is incomplete without select diamonds and exceptional diamond jewellery pieces.
A big shout out to jewellers and jewellery designers! You now have #MoreThanADiamond to offer and work with. Explore unusual shapes in diamonds to make jewelry designs innovative. Shapes like half-moon, cushion, rose cuts, leaves, hexagons and octagons, trillions trapez, kite shapes, etc. To know more about the different diamond shapes, click here

Polki And Antique Jewellery

• An Indian showcase will always bring in some of the most antique designs from different parts of our tradition-rich country. The inspiration of traditions was clearly visible in both, antique and modern jewellery pieces present at the show.
• Trend of Metals and textures were popular at the show with blown glass, antique gold, real peacock feathers, etc incorporated in jewellery designs.
• The variety of colors with enameling ranging from whites to pastels or shades of dark tones has become more widely accepted by consumers which has brought an edge to the designer jewellery pieces to match up with the international trends.
• If chandelier earrings is not your style, you can play with edgy and versatile ear clip ons that could be paired with not only with traditional but modern outfits too. Check the video as to how I styled my corporate look with bold yet wearable earrings.

Indian Jeweller (IJ) Knowledge Forum

I am always looking forward to expand my knowledge and involve in conversations and discussions around the Gems and Jewellery industry. On Day 3 of the Couture Show I got the opportunity to attend the panel discussions about Reimagining Retail.

When the Panel Moderator, Mr. Anil Prabhakar asked the question, “What according to the audience does the Indian jewellery industry lack and how jewellers and retailers can change it?” I wanted to participate in the conversation and said that “In my opinion we lack The Art Of Story -Telling. From a consumers perspective when I walk into a jewellery store, I may find the display very busy and the jewellery pieces are often all about being bling. It would interest me more if I saw a fewer pieces being showcased with a great display, an interesting story about the piece and its collection or its manufacturing etc” 

What is your take ? Do you believe in the “Art Of Story Telling?” Comment below and let me know.