Rs18 crore Indian diamond necklace at Christie’s

Technology, Life Sciences, Entertainment & Health: at a time when the world readies itself to acknowledge India as a rising superpower, comes another feather in the crown. And this time, it is from the world of jewellery.

In what will be a magnum opus for India, an Indian’s collection is set to be auctioned for the first time at Christie’s, Hong Kong, on November 29, 2010.

Under the hammer, will be the Rs 18-crore Golconda Lotus Necklace, an exquisite one-of-its-kind that took 1,300 experts more than a year to put together.

When DNA got in touch with Nirav Modi of Firestone Diamonds at his New York office for reaction he was ecstatic. “This is not only an honour for me but for the country as well,” he said.

“Even Cartier, Van Cleef or Arpels creations reached these auctions, but not when they were alive. For the first time a creation by someone who is still alive has reached the auction.”

It sports a rare and flawless 12.29 carat Golconda diamond and rare Argyle pink diamonds. Around 34 best pink diamonds from the Argyle mine in Australia surround the Golconda diamond. What is perhaps the best thing about the sheer artistry that has gone into the making of this masterpiece is that it weighs a mere 50 gram. “Ideally a necklace like this would weigh around 250 gram but we wanted it look like the wearer is donning only diamonds; so, we have limited the amount of metal used to the bare minimum,” said Modi. “The resulting neckpiece is linked by special diamond chains. It is the fine cutting of these diamonds that took such a long time.”

A symphony of colour and light as the pictures clearly show, the diamond chains allow for a flexible link brining together the best in creativity and design along with technical excellence.

Though fine diamond jewellery is part of India’s ancient tradition, heritage designer jewellery begun to make a mark for the past few years.
In fact, the designers have a data bank of designs from the country’s rich legacy, which they have often used to make a mark at the international level.

“It is perhaps the reason why Indians are now among the top players even at Antwerp, which is the Mecca of diamond jewellery,” an industry insider said.
“It is our endeavour to make life’s important moments even more sparkling and special,” Modi said.

“We focus on bringing creative and symbolic design to fine jewellery crafted in precious metal and set with superior quality diamonds.”