Valuable lessons from the Kalasha exhibition: The best emeralds are from Columbia; Sapphires are from Sri Lanka and the world’s best rubies are to be had from Burma. A walk around the carpeted venue with N Ravindra yields these nuggets of information.
The Branch Head of Kalasha in Hyderabad, points to a set that he says is much like the one worn by a Thai Princess. While that was made up of solitaires and would perhaps cost upwards of ₹2 crores, the one we are looking at is a lot cheaper, as it uses uncut diamonds that have the appearance of solitaires but are considerably less expensive. So bedazzled am I that I forget to ask how much cheaper!
In any case, a pair of hearty green earrings catch my fancy. “These are some of the best emeralds in the world. Columbian emeralds with uncut diamonds,” explains Ravindra. They are drop-dead gorgeous. And also ₹45 lakh.
So, with a lingering look, I move on to a fascinating necklet called the Hasli; a stiff circlet of gold, diamonds and pearls with distinctive Rajasthani enamel work. Kalasha has set up a temporary mini-showroom at The Residency Towers and beautiful old glass cabinets, which have come all the way from its headquarters, display their precious contents.
Kalasha is one of the top three gold and silver bullion merchants in the country since 1901.
“I am the fourth generation of my family in the business,” says Abhishek Chanda, the young director of Kalasha. “We traded in bullion as well as in antique jewellery, often from the Nizam’s collection,” says Chand, adding that they have diversified into fine jewellery crafting. “Many pieces you see here are inspired by the Nizam’s collection,” he points out and also explains that the present collection has been specially chosen keeping young and contemporary tastes in mind.
Coimbatore’s fashion designer, Aparna Sunku of Studio A who has curated the exhibition, points to a necklace-and-earring set. “My personal favourite is this pink tourmaline with emeralds and diamonds. The jewellery I chose for the exhibition were those that appealed to me,” she smiles. She is confident the ladies in Coimbatore will be happy with her selection.
There is temple jewellery, a workline range and solitaires besides traditional pieces comprising the odiyanam and sarpech for the turbans and more.
I cast one last longing look at a pair of chand balis that costs ₹175,000, admire some really beautiful rings and go back to bid farewell to the Columbian beauties.
Info you can use
The exhibition is on today from 11.00 am to 8.00 pm at The Residency Towers, Avinashi Road. The price range starts at ₹50, 000. One can exchange or refurbish old jewellery or trade them in for another from the collection. There is a special offer of no making and wastage charges on uncut diamond jewellery and no deduction on old gold exchange
