Indian jewellery shines on the global stage
Subscribe to enjoy similar stories. As the season of sparkle approaches, it’s only fitting that jewellery and its age-old relationship with Diwali come to mind. Beyond mere ornamentation, jewellery in India symbolises wealth, prosperity and good fortune.
Indians have long been patrons of international jewellery houses such as Cartier, Van Cleef & Arpels and Boucheron, which were favourites of the maharajas, and, in turn, India has been a rich source of inspiration for these maisons. Cartier drew upon the opulence of Islamic and Mughal India for some of its most coveted collections. The Tutti Frutti style, now commonly used by jewellers worldwide, originated from Cartier’s multi-coloured gems set as berries, leaves and flowers, which were referred to as “Hindou jewels" back in the 1930s.
“Indian design motifs have had a significant global influence, particularly inspiring major French design houses during the 1920s and 1930s," confirms Jay Sagar, jewellery expert at Mumbai-based auction house AstaGuru. Pieces crafted from India’s finest materials continue to grace the catalogues of prestigious auction houses like Sotheby’s, Christie’s and Bonhams. Arundhati De Seth, bespoke jewellery advisor, consultant and curator, says, “Indians have always had a huge appetite for gold, gem-set and diamond jewellery unlike any other part of the world.
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