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In an industry where tradition meets innovation, few leaders have demonstrated the depth of commitment and vision that Rahul brings to jewelry education and consulting. As the driving force behind the International Institute of Gemology (IIG), he has shaped over 30,000 careers, transforming how professionals learn, grow, and succeed in the gem and jewelry sector.
From empowering specially-abled students to advising global jewelry brands on strategic transformation, Rahul’s work spans the entire spectrum of the industry. His approach combines deep technical knowledge with behavioral psychology, modern technology adoption, and an unwavering belief that education is not a business but a responsibility.
In this exclusive conversation with Global Entrepreneurs Review, Rahul shares insights on career development, the evolving job market, consumer behavior shifts, and his vision for building an industry that grows together.
GER: What inspired you to pursue a career in the gem & jewelry industry, and how has that journey evolved over the past two decades?
RD: Some people are born with a silver spoon, but I was born with this industry in my blood. My father was deeply committed to empowering the trade with the right knowledge at a time when structured jewelry education barely existed. Growing up under that kind of purpose-driven leadership, it was impossible not to feel responsible for carrying the legacy forward.
When I took over IIG, my vision was clear: make it a modern, global, inclusive institute, accessible to every age group, every background, and every ambition. I wanted education, networking, and community to sit at the forefront. Today, we train everyone from young talent to specially-abled students, and I can confidently say, nothing is more fulfilling than empowering generations and building an industry that grows together.
GER: You’ve shaped over 30,000+ careers through IIG. What is your core philosophy when guiding someone’s career path in jewelry?
RD: My philosophy is simple: share the knowledge, open the door, and walk with them till they find their path.
Education is not just about teaching; it’s about giving someone the right environment, modern learning, global resources, strong mentors, and a community that supports them long after they graduate. Careers aren’t shaped in a classroom; they’re shaped in networks, opportunities, and real-world exposure. My father believed that. I believe that. And IIG is built exactly on that foundation.
GER: What are the critical skills young professionals entering the jewelry sector must develop today?
RD: Passion, discipline, and curiosity. Talent can be taught. Skills can be built. But a curious mind and a disciplined approach? That’s what takes you from average to exceptional.
GER: How has the global jewelry job market changed, and what new opportunities do you see emerging for the next generation?
RD: Roles today are more multidimensional. Companies want people who can use technology intelligently, solve problems creatively, and bring more value and depth, not more hours, to the table. It’s not about doing more work; it’s about doing smarter work. With AI, digital retailing, design tech, and global supply chain shifts, young professionals have more pathways than ever before.
GER: You’ve mentored students, professionals, and founders. What traits distinguish those who grow fastest in this industry?
RD: One word: hunger. People who grow fast want to learn, explore beyond their domain, push boundaries, and turn curiosity into capability. They explore design, branding, merchandising, storytelling, whatever complements their career. They don’t wait for opportunities, they seek them and execute consistently.
GER: What are the most common mindset gaps that hold professionals back, and how do you help them overcome these?
RD: Most people fear the fall. They are so anxious about outcomes that they never take the first step. I often use a modified SWOT approach, helping them identify their strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and obstacles as individuals. Once they see their own map clearly, they stop fearing the unknown.
GER: One piece of personal advice you consistently give to people building a long-term career in jewelry?
RD: Be consistent. Our industry is a roller coaster, some days exciting, some days exhausting. But if you stay disciplined, keep learning, and show up with your best on good days and extra on tough days, you will stay on the ride and eventually lead it.
GER: A memorable mentorship moment that reaffirmed your purpose in this industry?
RD: Priyanka’s story will always stay close to my heart. An IIG student who can neither speak nor hear, but her determination spoke louder than anything I’ve seen. From traveling daily from Mira Road to Vile Parle on her own to mastering jewelry design and securing a job, she proved that creativity has no barriers.
When I first met her, I told her parents, “We will make her a jewelry designer.” Watching her turn her silence into creativity, seeing her out-of-the-box designs, her discipline, her resilience, I was reminded why education matters. Today she works as a designer and that’s the moment that reminds me why I do what I do. Education is not a business, it’s a responsibility.
GER: What is the biggest capability gap you observe in teams today?
RD: Today’s consumer loves a good story. Even a cup of coffee is bought for its origin story, its roast, its journey. So imagine the expectations around a high value purchase like jewelry.
Most teams lack two things: Depth of product knowledge (journey, origin, techniques, design, beyond) and ability to communicate that knowledge effectively. Customers walk into a store already informed, and teams need the skill to match that level and elevate it.
GER: How do you incorporate behavioral psychology into your training frameworks?
RD: We go beyond product and teach people how to sell, how to narrate, how to create experiences. My modules include storytelling, luxury psychology, experiential selling, brand alignment, and now AI-driven customer insights. We run workshops and bootcamps that decode consumer behavior and teach teams how to sell value, not just metal and stones.
GER: When you design a training program, what outcomes do you prioritize for teams?
RD: I don’t want people who just “sell jewelry.” I want to build next-generation professionals; people who think like leaders, communicate like storytellers, and represent their brand with pride and depth. When you elevate the person, the performance naturally elevates. Sales is just the outcome, transformation is the goal.
GER: What shifts in consumer behavior should corporate leaders pay attention to in the next 3-5 years?
RD: Three major shifts: First is SOBO: Shop Online, Buy Offline, where customers discover online and validate offline. Retailers must integrate both worlds seamlessly by creating a cohesive experience. Second is AI-enabled decision journeys. Consumers expect personalization, speed, and relevance, and in this AI is no longer optional. And third, Community over commerce. Content, storytelling, live education, immersive experiences, these build trust before a customer steps into your store. The brands that create communities will dominate the next five years.
GER: How do you diagnose a struggling jewelry business?
RD: Consultancy is like courtship, you must be the right fit. So I begin with an honest, open conversation to understand the people behind the brand. Then we use our proprietary frameworks, backed by decades of cross-functional experience, to map the brand’s pulse across operations, strategy, merchandising, customer experience, financial rhythm, and leadership. Every business is unique, so our approach is always multi-layered and personalized as I strongly believe that no two brands require the same medicine.
GER: Top 3 strategic elements high-performing jewelry brands consistently get right?
RD: The best brands get three things absolutely right. First, they know who they are and they communicate it clearly, their branding is consistent, intentional, and unmistakable. Second, they invest in their people continuously. Training isn’t an occasional exercise, it’s a rhythm woven into their culture. And third, they stay committed to quality and innovation. When you put these three together, clarity, capability, and creativity, you naturally build a brand that customers trust and teams feel proud to represent.
GER: With technology and lab-grown diamonds reshaping the industry, how should businesses adapt to stay competitive?
RD: For lab-growns, I always tell brands to approach it with clarity, not comparison. Educate your team on the real points of difference, the value narrative, and, most importantly, how to communicate your strengths without leaning on comparisons or recycling the natural diamond playbook. If you’re adding both categories into your mix, keep the storytelling clean and separate so customers aren’t confused about what you stand for.
On the tech side, I think brands have become surprisingly digital post Covid, and have already learned to translate their identity online. Now AI is the new kid in the neighborhood, and we should absolutely embrace it. The way I see it, AI today is exactly what the PC was in the 80s, those who adopted early built empires. It’s the same here. AI is not replacing anything, AI is your friend, an assistant enabling you to work better and if implemented rightly it can be incorporated in multiple touchpoints of a brand’s journey. If we, as leaders, don’t build that mindset into our companies, the market won’t wait for us. This isn’t about chasing trends; it’s about staying relevant in a world that has already moved ahead.
GER: What is your long-term vision for transforming jewelry businesses through consulting and education?
RD: Education and consulting are two sides of the same coin, one builds individuals, the other builds organizations. My advantage is that I see both worlds deeply, so I can diagnose challenges from multiple lenses. My vision is simple: Empower every professional; student, employee, founder, manufacturer, designer, or retailer with the tools, techniques, and clarity to grow. Whether it’s a classroom, a boardroom, or a cafe conversation, my purpose remains the same: help them become the best version of themselves and build businesses that can stand tall for decades.
Rahul’s journey exemplifies what happens when passion meets purpose and legacy meets innovation. His work at IIG and through his consulting practice demonstrates that the future of the jewelry industry lies not just in beautiful designs or precious materials, but in the people who create, sell, and celebrate them.
From Priyanka’s inspiring story to his vision of AI as a transformative tool rather than a threat, Rahul consistently challenges the industry to think bigger, act bolder, and stay committed to continuous growth. His message is clear: in an industry built on craftsmanship and heritage, the greatest investment we can make is in people.
As the jewelry sector continues to evolve with technology, changing consumer behaviors, and new market dynamics, leaders like Rahul remind us that education remains the foundation upon which all progress is built. His philosophy of walking alongside people until they find their path isn’t just good mentorship, it’s a blueprint for building an industry that truly grows together.
For jewelry professionals at any stage of their career, his advice resonates: stay hungry, stay consistent, and remember that transformation, not just transaction, should always be the goal.
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