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13 Feb 2025

Mehul Shah Elected Chairman, Anup Zaveri Managing Trustee of Gemmological Institute of India (GII)

Mehul Shah

Anup Zaveri

Mehul Shah and Anup P Zaveri, both leading Palanpuri diamantaires, have recently been elected as Chairman and Managing Trustee respectively of the Gemmological Institute of India (GII), the organization that was a pioneer of gemmological education and testing of diamonds and coloured gemstones within the country.

Mehul Shah, who is Vice-President of Bharat Diamond Bourse (BDB) and Treasurer-General of the World Federation of Diamond Bourses (WFDB) said that the new Board will finalise its plans in the context of developments like the influence of artificial intelligence and automation on grading & certification, education, and diamond detection. Expanding educational initiatives for industry members and growing GII’s presence across India and into the Asia-Pacific region will also be on the agenda, Shah said.

GII was set up in 1971 and was the first modern Indian body to conduct educational courses, and later provide laboratory services, for the gem and jewellery trade. In 2006 it became a project of The Gem & Jewellery Export Promotion Council, co-sponsored by Bharat Diamond Bourse, Diamond Exporters’ Association Ltd, Gem & Jewellery Exporters’ Association and Mumbai Diamond Merchants’ Association.

GII’s Board of Trustees is in the process of being reconstituted. Among other community members, Shripal Desai will continue to be a Trustee and other appointees will be finalized shortly.