Stellar sparklers

SHILPI MADAN

Jewellery designer Farah Khan Ali’s pieces are gone once they hit the stores. Here’s why...

She is known as the Emerald Queen, for her stunning renditions in the green gem. Her collection retails at snob points beyond Indian shores. And, each one is a sell out the moment it hits the market. Jewellery designer Farah Khan Ali’s creations are Bollywood’s toast to stellar sparkle and flamboyance that floors....

You are conquering new grounds with élan. Your snake cuff design for Swarovski, from your latest nature-inspired collection, has won rave reviews internationally. Do share the details with us.

Well, I recently did get an enquiry from Monte Carlo to brand and retail my jewellery there after someone chanced upon the snake cuff in the Swarovski stall in Basel. The Snake cuff is very unique as it reminds one of a snake coiled atop a tree and is constructed like one piece without a visible hinge as such though it can be opened. I used rainforest topaz and blue sapphires along with coffee rose-cut diamonds in place of the eyes. There were approximately 3000 stones and it took four months to construct. Yet it is unbelievably light.

You’ve created flamboyant designs for Bollywood stars Tell us about the butterfly ring Kangana Ranaut wore at IIFA in Macau?

Yes, it did grab eyeballs. It was a one-off piece I actually experimented with in my collection. The inspiration was nature in full bloom. The way a butterfly perches itself on a flower flaunting its myriad colours. The pieces’ uniqueness lies in the movable wings. The flower is set in pink sapphires and rubies accented by diamonds; the butterfly is in yellow sapphires and white diamonds. This ring took three months to make; to achieve the perfect balance in proportion to the height, so that its sat comfortably without turning.

If you were to describe your designs...

I would say that they are timeless, and some are fun. They reflect your moods, and can be worn always, for all occasions. Each piece is crafted with a lot of love and hard work.

What was it like to design for Rakhee Sawant for her “Rakhee Ka Swayamvar”?

It was fun. Even though I knew of her, we had never interacted like this before. I found her bold yet honest, frank yet childlike. Deep down she was a little girl wanting the affection she had missed out on and wanted to be taken care off. She was very open to suggestion and left it to me to give her whatever I wanted. Her only brief was that she wanted larger stones in her jewellery and wanted designs that made a statement. That is what I did. I really wish her the best in her life.

What is your forecast for the festive season?

My predictions in jewellery for this season include different necklines in necklaces, a mixture of Jadau and diamond jewellery, a part of the old world reinvented with the new. Ornate pieces will make a statement. The popular gemstones have always been emeralds, rubies, rubilites, sapphires and of course diamonds. Jadau Indian jewellery has a certain royal look that is difficult to achieve even in jewellery otherwise even with the finest of gemstones used.

Which is your personal favourite in gems?

The green in the Columbian emerald draws me constantly. I wear a large emerald ring every day, it’s my trademark.

Which piece is your perennial favourite?

My wedding set crafted in sparkling diamonds and exquisite pearls. It is reminiscent of the Mughal era …

Where to get

Farah retails through Anmol Jewellers in Mumbai, and in New Delhi and Hyderabad through Meena Jewellers, under her own brand “Farah Khan”. Prices begin from Rs. 50,000.