Face jewellery brings smile to Surat industry

Carrying your loved one's photograph in a pendant or putting up a poster of your beloved musician is a thing of the past. The trend is to turn their face into gem-studded jewellery, and the rising demand for such bling has put the sparkle back in Surat's diamond industry.

Recently a jewellery manufacturer from the city received an order to replicate the face of a lead singer from a US musical group on seven identical pieces of jewellery. "All members of the group will be wearing this 600-gram pendant studded with diamonds. Each piece will cost around $1 lakh (Rs 74.55 lakh approx)," the jeweller said.

Similarly, a young man from Canada recently got a diamond-studded pendant in the image of his favourite Lakers basketball player.

"Abroad, there is a demand for such jewellery. Distributors from the US, the UK and Canada receive such orders regularly. It is the most precious way to remember your favourite star or your loved one," said Satish Maniya, a manufacturer. These pendants weigh anywhere from 20 grams to 1 kg and can cost between $1,500 to $150,000.

This trend greatly benefits the diamond city due to the availability of diamonds, quality jewellery artisans and technology. "We can accurately replicate the facial features due to our skilled artisans and the technology at hand. First, a computer image of the jewellery is shared with the client. Once approved, an exact piece is manufactured," said Ramesh Kakadiya, a manufacturer.

Naresh Mangukiya, whose firm receives regular export orders for these high-end adornments, said, "The same work is done in China too. However, no one can match the quality of design and craftsmanship found in Surat. We also try to make the jewellery as affordable as our competitors in other countries. So, Surat receives several orders."Carrying your loved one's photograph in a pendant or putting up a poster of your beloved musician is a thing of the past. The trend is to turn their face into gem-studded jewellery, and the rising demand for such bling has put the sparkle back in Surat's diamond industry.

Recently a jewellery manufacturer from the city received an order to replicate the face of a lead singer from a US musical group on seven identical pieces of jewellery. "All members of the group will be wearing this 600-gram pendant studded with diamonds. Each piece will cost around $1 lakh (Rs 74.55 lakh approx)," the jeweller said.

Similarly, a young man from Canada recently got a diamond-studded pendant in the image of his favourite Lakers basketball player.

This trend greatly benefits the diamond city due to the availability of diamonds, quality jewellery artisans and technology.