Leadership

A Venus Jewel partner and co-founder, Ramniklal Shah has helped keep the business on a path to growth by focusing on quality. This focus has given Venus Jewel the freedom to innovate across the company and deliver the highest levels of customer satisfaction. It has also helped the company grow dramatically over the past two decades.

"Our success is based on several aspects,"Ramniklal says. "One of them is the deep-rooted trust that clients place in us and our ability to adapt to their ever-changing business needs. Another is that we have immense confidence in the capabilities of our biggest asset-our people, whose passion and commitment have not only helped us reach the heights where we stand today, but are also poised to take us far further."

He adds, "The Venus Jewel difference is that we apply our family's core values and follow the strictest standards. The result is satisfied customers."

The humble, driving force behind Venus Jewel since founding it with his elder brother Ramniklal in 1969, Sevantilal Shah is a visionary leader in the diamond industry and pioneered many of Venus Jewel's early innovations. Under his watch, the company has blazed a trail that includes performance-based pay, predictable work hours, integrated manufacturing and executive facilities, ergonomic workspaces, employee pensions and an ethos of corporate responsibility.

As the Chairman of Venus Jewel, Sevantilal has built a company that is globally renowned for its commitment to excellence, transparent business practices, ethical values and industry-revolutionizing advances. As a leader in the global diamond industry, he was instrumental in shifting the world's manufacturing base for large diamonds to India, a skill for which the country was not previously known. Thanks to his sterling reputation within Surat, he has taken a lead role in guiding the city's growth and development.

Reflecting on the growth of the company, Sevantilal notes that, "Venus Jewel has emerged as a solidly trusted brand on account of our strategic position and capabilities, the discipline of our management systems, and the dedication and skills of our employees. What Venus Jewel is today reflects a choice we made decades back, to focus on our transparency-based Venus Business Model."

"When we introspect," Sevantilal says, "we say we are an innovation-led company with a number of pioneering measures to our credit. This model does not present an easy path, especially in an industry as fast-paced as ours. But once you are clear on your choice, it shapes everything you do: your business strategy, how you nurture talent, how you develop skills, how you invent (or reinvent), how you run the company. I take it as my honor and good fortune that my people have very proactively supported me in building and leading Venus Jewel." He adds, "Others may copy our systems, but they cannot copy our heart, which makes it difficult to compete with us."

Anil Shah has been a partner in Venus Jewel since joining the firm in 1985. As part of the company's strategy shift in the 1990s, he led the development of the Venus Grading System and then helped popularize both it and the company's e-commerce portal across the world. He also helped usher in the Single Piece Packaging system for loose diamonds, which eliminated the industry practice of bundling high-value stones with less desirable ones. Through these efforts and his tireless example, Anil set the work ethos for our staff. Today, he continues to provide Venus Jewel valuable advice on production, training, and research and development.

Regarding the company's ongoing efforts to be a trusted, best-in-class partner for its customers, Anil says, "Our employees" ambition to provide excellent products and services to our customers is crucial to our success. As such, both customer and employee satisfaction are key steering metrics for us, and we incentivize our employees to ensure their focus and continual improvement in these areas. We place great importance on fostering outstanding leadership and the personal and professional growth of our people. In doing so, we demonstrate the depth of our conviction about the importance of our employees. "He adds, "It is only by continually challenging ourselves that we can remain the leader in this industry."

Rajesh Shah has been a partner in Venus Jewel since joining the firm in 1985 with a deep focus on business development and sales. Working with his elder cousin Anil and his younger brother Hitesh, he has made the ongoing development of the Venus Grading System, and the transparent detail it offers our customers, his personal focus. Rajesh followed this with deep involvement in the creation of Venus Jewel's rational pricing mechanisms, which are driven by the outputs of the Venus Grading System.

Together, these systems reflect Rajesh's commitment to delivering value to Venus Jewel's clients, as well as the company's commitment to innovation. "Every day, through our systems, processes and product offerings, we look for ways to help our clients take on a future that is full of unknown challenges and yet brimming with opportunities."

"We clearly see that tomorrow's clients will take on a future that is different from today's, so we relentlessly seek opportunities to innovate and remain relevant to our clients and their customers," says Rajesh. "The result is a contemporaneous and future-ready approach that enables our clients to effectively compete, not just today, but for the years ahead."

In 1988, while pursuing his bachelor's degree in commerce, Hitesh joined Venus Jewel's registered office in Mumbai. After gaining experience in various areas of the business, he moved to Surat in 1994, to join his uncle Sevantilal Shah. Under Sevantilal's mentoring, he further honed his keen eye for detail and the precision manufacturing of premium quality diamonds.

As a partner, he by and large oversees Venus Jewel's operations at their state-of-the-art diamond manufacturing facility in Surat, but is primarily responsible for the procurement of rough diamonds and driving continuous improvement initiatives across the company, including implementing new training, planning and manufacturing standards, as well as improving quality control systems.

"Making many small changes can have a great impact,"Hitesh says. "So, we continue to make necessary investments in our organizational capabilities. At the same time, to be future-ready, we constantly realign our offerings and investments more closely to the business priorities of our clients. Through this approach, we have had a long history of industry-leading performance and sustained value creation. But, the most satisfying thing for me is how this helps us earn the respect of our employees, our suppliers, our customers and the industry."

As the third-generation partner, Mr. Devansh Rajesh Shah is all about innovation, quality excellence, and ethical business practices. He represents a new wave of business practice, combining traditional values with a contemporary-thinking vision to propel the company into the future of excellence.

Along with a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration and Marketing from NMIMS, Mumbai, he participated in various leadership roles in school and college student associations. He officially began his journey with Venus Jewel in 2018. He started at the foundation, working hands-on at the Surat crafting facility. Over two years, he mastered the intricacies of diamond crafting, gaining an in-depth understanding of the process, from the architecture of rough diamonds to perfecting the cuts in polished diamonds, while immersing himself in various facets of the business.

Following his time at the factory, Devansh transitioned to the Mumbai office, taking on key roles in marketing, sales, and product development. His holistic exposure across different verticals has equipped him with a unique perspective and strategic insight into the industry.

With his involvement, Venus Jewel has introduced groundbreaking enhancements to its B2B e-commerce platform, making it more efficient, future-ready, and customer-centric. He envisions a sustainable and prosperous future for the natural diamond industry, firmly believing in the enduring value of transparency and responsibly sourced diamonds. He has undertaken various initiatives to support and promote natural diamonds.

His innovative and dynamic approach earned him prestigious accolades, including the GJEPCs 40 Under 40 Award and the GJCs NexGen Award, both of which celebrate emerging leaders shaping the future of the gem and jewellery sector.

Samveg Shah, a third-generation partner at Venus Jewel, embodies a spirit of innovation, excellence, and ethical leadership. As part of a premier supplier of premium polished natural diamonds, his journey reflects unwavering dedication, strategic foresight, and a commitment to pioneering advancements within the industry.

Since joining Venus Jewel in 2016, he has immersed himself in every aspect of the business. Beginning with a hands-on approach to manufacturing, he meticulously learned the intricacies of the process before transitioning into a pivotal role in sales and marketing at the Mumbai office.

He honed his expertise, setting the foundation for his leadership. Rooted in the timeless principles of the ancient Indian Gurukulam Education System, his upbringing instilled in him the values of integrity, discipline, and responsibility. These values act as a guiding force throughout his professional journey, influencing his approach to leadership and business ethics.

A visionary with a forward-thinking mindset, Samveg spearheaded the establishment of the Venus Jewel Botswana crafting unit in 2022. This strategic move expanded the company’s global footprint and underscored its commitment to innovation and sustainability. Under his leadership, Venus Jewel continues to grow as a leading name in the natural diamonds industry.

His dedication to fostering collaboration extends beyond business. He is deeply committed to reviving and preserving ancient arts and culture, enriching communities while promoting cultural heritage. His leadership philosophy focuses on teamwork, innovation, and the integration of cutting-edge technology, ensuring Venus Jewel remains the preferred choice for solitaire diamonds while driving industry-wide advancements.

As one of the young leaders of the family, Samveg Shah brings a comprehensive understanding of the natural diamonds industry. His strategic vision and leadership continue to chart a course for Venus Jewel’s success, guiding the company towards new heights with a commitment to excellence.

With path-breaking innovations in rough diamond procurement, B2B trade, and an unwavering focus on quality, Samveg Shah envisions a vibrant future for the natural diamonds industry. His forward-thinking leadership and dedication place him at the forefront of industry evolution.

Samveg Shah’s journey is a testament to the transformative power of innovation, collaboration, and an unyielding commitment to excellence. As Venus Jewel continues to redefine industry standards, his leadership ensures a future that shines with brilliance and innovation.

Akshat Shah, a third-generation Partner at Venus Jewel, joined the company in 2018, blending modern perspectives with the deep-rooted family values that have shaped the organization over the decades. Following his entry into the family business, he underwent extensive training at the Mumbai and Surat offices, mastering every facet of the industry and honing his skills. With a bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering from BITS Pilani, Hyderabad Campus, he is dedicated to continuing the family tradition of excellence while introducing fresh perspectives and modern business strategies.

A passionate leader, Akshat is known for his positive attitude, strong ethical values, and a keen eye for detail. He has successfully spearheaded initiatives focused on process automation and improvement, significantly enhancing operational efficiency. His leadership style, characterized by effective listening, righteousness, and the ability to bring out the best in employees, fosters a collaborative work environment. Committed to creating value at every step, Akshat strives to make Venus Jewel the preferred choice for natural solitaire diamonds.

He is devoted to maintaining Venus Jewel's leadership in the diamond industry by leveraging cutting-edge technology to improve quality and efficiency while upholding the highest ethical standards. Additionally, he emphasizes building long-term relationships with both clients and suppliers.

Beyond his professional achievements, Akshat enriches his personal life through his love for sports, travel, music, food, and technology.