Desi With a Difference

Human rights-lawyer- turned jewellery designer PRIYANKA MURTHY’S designs spell modern minimalism to the tee. Just one look at her jewellery is enough for you to know that despite its simplistic clean lines, there is an unmistakable wow factor in every piece. The designs are extremely fresh and unique and tailored for the independent working woman.

- Aliya Ladhabhoy

Her brand name Arya Esha, which means Goddess of Truth, tells us more about Priyanka who wants to celebrate each person’s quest for truth and meaning through her jewellery designs. She has continuous dialogues with her clients so that she can design what they need.

Priyanka is also driven by a strong social conscience and wants to make a meaningful difference through her work. Every year, she plans to support different charities by donating a portion of her jewellery sales proceeds to a good cause.

Her years as a human rights lawyer have helped her translate attention to detail into her jewellery designs as well. She uses recycled gold and ethically sourced gemstones to design jewellery that goes miles beyond just being beautiful. In less than two years, Priyanka has already made her mark on the jewellery circuit in the USA, the UK and Canada and has her eyes set on India in the coming years. She speaks to ALIYA LADHABHOY about balancing creativity, business and philanthropy.

Human Rights and Political Science and jewellery-making are diametrically opposite. How did you decide to make the switch from law to jewellery designing?

I get this question a lot and I love answering it. Though I had a very active career in the legal field, the practice of law did not let me use my creative side I always had. The older I got, the more I felt the need to free my creativity. I realised that I could build a business around designing jewellery, so I took the plunge.

Tell us about your first association with jewellery. Would you scour through your mother’s jewels?