Jaipur, India— The 2026 International Gem & Jewellery Show (IGJS) has made a bold move to lure American buyers: all-expenses-paid trips for those who qualify.
The announcement came with news that Olga Gonzaléz, founder and head of Pietra Communications, has been appointed as the U.S. buyer coordinator for the event. Gonzaléz will oversee the recruitment of American companies and lead the buyer program, a role that places her at the center of one of the most aggressive outreach efforts the Indian jewelry trade has made to date.
Perks for the Elite
IGJS 2026, set for April 9–11 in Jaipur, will provide stipends covering airfare, hotel accommodations, and meals for U.S. buyers who qualify. But the criteria have sparked debate: only companies with annual turnover of more than $1 million will be eligible for extended tours of diamond factories in Mumbai and Surat.
For critics, this raises an uncomfortable question: does the policy favor the wealthy at the expense of smaller, independent players?
A Rapid Expansion
Organized by India’s Gem & Jewellery Export Promotion Council (GJEPC), IGJS will expand dramatically next year. The show, which had only 50 exhibitors in its last edition, is set to triple in size to 150 exhibitors.
Supporters argue that the incentives are necessary to compete in today’s global jewelry market. By underwriting travel costs, IGJS ensures that top U.S. buyers will show up—and more importantly, spend.
Yet for many smaller American retailers who don’t meet the turnover threshold, the program feels exclusionary. “The opportunities are being reserved for the giants,” one industry observer noted, “when smaller jewelers also need access to new suppliers and fair prices.”
A Larger Debate
At its heart, IGJS 2026 highlights a growing divide in the jewelry trade: should international shows cater to elite buyers who guarantee volume, or open their doors wider to independents who drive creativity and diversity?
With Gonzaléz at the helm of the U.S. program, the event promises to be polished and professional—but also, perhaps, controversial.
👉 Want to understand why lab grown diamonds are overtaking natural stones? Dive into our Lab Grown Diamonds guide.
👉 Explore how sustainability and transparency are driving change in our Ethics & Sustainability Hub.