Adorn Magazine - November - December 2017

In this issue

The worldwide effort to revive the diamond story finally seems to have gathered steam, picking up from where De Beers had left off. After launching the ‘Real is Rare’ generic campaign in the US last year, the Diamond Producers Association (DPA) is poised to unleash its promotions in India. Unlike previous one-off attempts at generic marketing in India by trade bodies over the years, this time around a hefty annual budget of $7 million (Rs. 44.8 crore) will ensure that diamonds stay on top of consumers’ minds. DPA’s Jean-Marc Lieberherr outlines the strategy for the next few months. Turn to the Cover Story for more details.
The who’s who of the coloured gemstone industry converged in Jaipur for the 17th edition of the ICA Congress on October 21st to 24th. Transparency, corporate social responsibility (CSR) and sustainability were among the main themes evoked by a number of speakers at the Congress. US-based veteran journalist Cynthia Unninayar gives a low-down of the four-day conference in In Focus. Auction house Saffronart held its first jewellery conference, The Timeless Legacy of Indian Jewels, in early October with much fanfare. The event, which was curated by jewellery historian Dr. Usha Balakrishnan, was attended by many luminaries from across the jewellery world, who shared interesting anecdotes about the famous Jacob diamond, the Golconda mines, and the legacy of royal jewels among several other interesting topics. Read more about the event in Spotlight. Our guest writer Vivek Shah of Karma Enterprise highlights the trends in silver jewellery for 2018 in Industry Insight.

Carved Artworks

Acclaimed London-based jewellery designer FLORA BHATTACHARY’s stark yet appealing jewels set with distinctively carved gemstones evoke a powerful imagery, delicately balancing geometric forms with a delightful profusion of colours. India has a special pull on her. Flora’s ancestors travelled to the country to trade for the East India Company. The exotic and mystical landscapes and the travelogues impelled her to dig into India’s rich history. The mythological stories and references to Hindu goddesses further helped her to create collections that were enshrined in gold and gemstones. There is a distinct crossover of cultural influences in Flora’s unique compositions that dextrously team technology and traditional techniques to create future heirlooms.

5 mins

Saffronart's Dialogue On Jewellery In Praise Of Indian Jewels

Adornment in India is a way of life – it’s intricately linked from birth to death – and thus, it is not surprising that every single person owns at least one piece of jewellery.

5 mins

Unorthodox Artistry

Raised on talks related to arts, crafts, paintings and design since childhood, London-based Akansha Sethi soon realised that her métier was designing jewellery that captured her travelogues, her inspirations in gold. The gifted young prodigy is already creating waves in the field.

7 mins

Structural Wonders

Architect and award-winning jeweller Marcia Budet talks about her transition fromthe world of brick-and-mortar to that of gemstone and prongs.

3 mins

Faidee's Love Affair With Rubies

One-of-a-kind jewels took centre stage at the world’s first ‘Burmese Ruby Exhibition’ helmed by Faidee, with the  jeweller’s favoured motifs holding sway over visitors.

9 mins

The Art Of De Grisogono

Swiss jeweller de GRISOGONO’s 163.41-carat perfect white diamond is the largest of its kind ever to come to auction and the most valuable gem the house has ever set. It is also the first step in a game-changing move on the cusp of its 25th anniversary.

5 mins

Read all stories from Adorn

Adorn Magazine Description:

Adorn is India’s first magazine dedicated to the art of fine jewellery. It is published and circulated in India by Spenta Multimedia, the country’s largest custom publisher. The bi-monthly publication that was started in 2010 is the premier source of information for jewellery connoisseurs and designers. Adorn chronicles India’s jewellery design capabilities and keeps an eye on global trends.