The fourth edition of the show was scheduled to take place from 5–7 August in Mumbai at the BDB facility – earlier than its previous October dates. However, the BDB noted that widespread travel restrictions due to the virus would make holding a physical show impossible.
Instead, Bharat Diamond Week: Digital will take place through a secure online platform which will include ‘meeting room’ features, discussion boards, logistics recommendations, and a “close to realistic” showcase of all products from BDB members.
Previous editions of Bharat Diamond Week have hosted large delegations of international buyers – particularly from China, Thailand, and Russia – as well as local Indian buyers.
The Bharat Diamond Week organising committee said, “Keeping in mind the status of various gem and jewellery economies that are more or less in a lockdown stage, [and] without knowing a logical ending to this COVID-19 phenomenon, the committee felt the need for making diamonds available to the buyers once the industry gets back into business, and what better way of servicing them than a digital medium.”
Anoop Mehta, president Bharat Diamond Bourse, added, “A digital platform would definitely give all those buyers an avenue to buy and go on with their respective business.”
Dates for Bharat Diamond Week: Digital had not been announced at the time of publication.
Bharat Diamond Week follows several other major international gem, jewellery and watch industry events in cancelling its physical show for 2020. Notably, Watches & Wonders Geneva launched a digital version of its 2020 event on 25 April.
More reading:
Postponements/cancellations of international jewellery trade shows
Watches & Wonders Geneva to launch online event
Bharat Diamond Week moves to August for 2020 event