Jewels are miniature time capsules, forever crystalising a memorable moment in a person’s life. Beyond personal adornment, jewellery, through its design, innate preciousness, and craftsmanship, also reflects the socio-economic aspects influencing buyer sentiments.
The coming festive season brings a fresh perspective on fine and high jewellery in India. Natural diamonds are out, and coloured gemstones have moved in, especially emeralds. Fifteen years ago, diamond solitaire earrings, or bangles with roundper cent drop in wholesale diamond prices in certain categories of round diamonds (1-3 carat, SI) has spooked customers and retailers alike. That may be true to a small extent, but other factors deserve credit for causing the current green fever that has piqued the interest of Indian jewellery buyers. While continuous and consistent consumer marketing by miner and marketer of coloured gemstones, Gemfields has provided an impetus, so has Jaipur being the world’s largest emerald cutting and polishing hub. In addition, the emerald ooze has swept up fashion designers, and jewellery brands in its sway, underlining the green stone’s elite status via celebrity collaborations and press visuals.
