Pursuit Of Magnificence

Celebrated jewellery Designer Payal Mehta talks about the intricate process of crafting splendid pieces are nothing less than an extension of the that owner’s personality.

- Payal Mehta

When I create jewellery, the inspiration for a concept is akin to a search. I am always researching: speaking to my clients, looking at architecture, thinking and dreaming about what I see. I always strive for that perfect link between the women I design for and great works of art and design.

After speaking at length with my clients, I sketch. Sketching often leads to new ideas, including new stones and marvellous transitions in terms of thinking about materials and possibilities. This entire process is similar to the way an artist works with preparatory drawings in order to create a perfect painting.

Drawings are done with outlines by using some of my favourite techniques, such as cross hatching, and the forms are built up using a type of shading. Sketching also allows me to play with gradations of line and colour and, most importantly, different textures of diamonds. It helps create a layering effect by playing with coloured stones to devise a type of shading through gemstones.