Features: Magazine | Literary Review | Life | Metro Plus | Open Page | Education Plus | Book Review | Business | SciTech | Friday Review | Young World | Property Plus | Quest | Folio |

Just get those stones

Iona - Colourful Stones is just the ticket for those who trip on the bling thing

CUSTOMISED JEWELLERY Divvya Bhasin: `I have contemporised jadau jewellery by stringing together tourmalines, spinel, citrines and turquoise'

The venerable uncle Bobby might have meant something totally different when he talked of getting stoned but right now we are talking about those sparkling lovelies — gemstones. All who have a weakness for them should head for the ffolio (Vittal Mallya Road) to check out Divvya Bhasin's Iona exhibition.

Divvya, who trained at the Gemological Institute of America (GIA), works mainly in 22 karat gold. "I set diamonds in white gold but all the traditional pieces are in yellow gold," she says. "What I am bringing to the exhibition is the autumn line with the festive season in mind. White gold would be more for summer, while yellow gold is warmer and perfect for the cooler climes."

"The focus is colourful stones. I do not make a distinction between precious and semi-precious stones. All natural stones are precious. I have used over 40 different kinds of stones in muted, dull colours. Pearls are the mainstay of the collection. I have used different kinds of pearls like the champagne pearls, the baroque and pink pearls, which work wonderfully well to set off the brilliance of the stones."

One of the things to look out for is the jadau pieces. "Jadau is the old way of setting stones. Most Mughal and Rajasthani jewellery use this kind of setting. The wonderful thing about this style is there is a lot of enamel relief work. I have contemporised this jewellery by stringing together tourmalines, spinel, citrines and turquoise."

Divvya also has jewellery with the famous cabochon cut where the gemstone is shaped and polished as opposed to facetted. Jadau tukris (odd-shaped pieces) get a new look with hand knots peppered with a dash of stone. The collection reveals stringy feminine jewellery in wood, glass, suede and leather. Traditional and contemporary, the jewellery is priced between Rs. 19,000 and Rs. 1 lakh.

Divvya has a host of celebrity clients including the royal family of Dubai, Benazir Bhutto, film personalities and Shubha Mudgal. "I customise jewellery. Musicians tend to use their hands a lot so I would design a one-of-a-kind statement ring. Or if my client is on telly, I concentrate on earrings as the ornate clothes would overwhelm the neckpieces."

While Divvya has not brought too many rings and bracelets (sizing is a problem), there are earrings and necklaces to die for. The exhibition is on today and tomorrow.

MINI ANTHIKAD-CHHIBBER

Printer friendly page  
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail