This season add a little sunshine and sparklers in Rubies and Diamonds supremely crafted from the House of Hazoorilal by Sandeep Narang.

Housing the most extensive fine jewellery repertoire, Hazoorilal By Sandeep Narang/Hazoorilal Jewellers carries a lineage of over 71 years, setting a benchmark in the highest quality and design aesthetics of diamond, polki and gold jewellery. The brand has GIA & HRD-certified solitaries, as they were the first to introduce certified diamonds in the industry right from the advent of the Indian arena. It’s a connoisseur’s delight to see premium-quality Colombian, Zambian & Russian emeralds alongside the fancy yellow diamonds, rubies, and tanzanite encrusted beautifully.

Here, First Look gets up and close with Sandeep Narang, Chief Designer and MD, Hazoorilal Jewellers, for his take on what constitutes the ever-growing demand in the post-pandemic jewellery industry. The mention of new-gen brides balancing global looks with heritage charm and consistency in design exclusivity will surely rekindle a desire within every genre of women to own their heirlooms.

Read on to discover the brand’s extraordinaire passion for sourcing precious gemstones and creating jewellery masterpieces, along with how and why you should invest in luxury jewellery.

(Edited excerpts)

FL: How would you describe the journey of the brand?

SN: The brand Hazoorilal was the brainchild of my father, the Late Shri Hazoorilal Narang. It was during the year of India’s independence that he moved from Lahore. He left behind all his possessions and started anew in Delhi. In a short span of 5 years, he opened his first store in Chandni Chowk in 1952. He soon moved from Old Delhi to expand the brand to other parts of the city. Hazoorilal was one of the first jewellers to open a store in 1976 in Defence Colony flyover market, South Delhi. My father’s exemplary hard work and the ability to take risks in exploring newer possibilities moved by leaps and bounds and thrived in the industry. He further marked his presence by moving to Greater Kailash Part 1 in 1989. The flagship store is a sanctum home to us, inciting feelings of nostalgia not just for us alone but for our 3 generations of clients who are loyal to the brand. I joined the family enterprise at 18 with the inauguration of the Greater Kailash store. I honed my skills for years while gaining the industry wisdom of the business under the meticulous guidance of my father. His mentorship and foresight of changing times inculcated in me to keep the clientele above all and maintain the brand’s ethos. The knowledge I acquired under direct training by him has been the most inspiring and guiding factor that has stood by me in good stead and has encouraged me to take the lineage further as it has shone on since 1952. We forayed further with two branches, a boutique store in ITC Maurya and one bridal gallery in DLF Emporio, in 2015 and 2016, respectively.

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FL: Could you tell us about your latest collection?

SN: This is the time of the year when we revisit our existing collections and do our homework on what we visualise for the upcoming wedding season, which further flows into the festive season and, again, the wedding season by the end of each year. I travel to source our solitaires, diamonds certified and precious gemstones like emeralds, sapphires, rubies and more globally and in the domestic market. We launched our website during the first year of the pandemic in 2020. That comprises relatively light and fun jewellery, a shift from mainstream jewellery. Apart from a special line in solitaire diamond sets to which I dedicate my time, I have trained designers in my team. It’s a mixed bag of surprises which would be sought after, and I reserve it until the jewellery pieces are all out for everyone around September 2023.

FL: How would you describe the bridal jewellery USP at Hazoorilal Jewellers?

SN: As jewellers, Hazoorilal has established a strong stamp of recognition, quality and credible reputation, and our clients continue to be loyal to the brand for three generations now. It’s every girl’s dream to be a Hazoorilal Bride. Since the wedding is an elaborate and emotional journey for the bride and the entire family, we customise jewellery for a bride after we have had multiple rounds of detailed discussions to understand her personal preferences. The new-age brides now have their to-be husbands who are as involved in the process of selection, which is endearing, so we make it a luxury experience as it’s imperative to devote time and attention to details. The families are an integral part of the process; it is given that along with the bride, other family members also come at the same time.

The bridal trousseau will mostly have diamond, polki, and gold sets. However, diamonds have taken a new headway, and we have the finest collection of bridal diamonds, as brides prefer to wear more of them. We are renowned for our bridal polki collection, representing the regal era.

We encourage brides to finalise the jewellery and proceed with their outfits. We must emphasise the investment in jewellery will be long-lasting and passed down to generations.

The heritage of Hazoorilal patrons also narrates the tales of aristocracy with prestigious bridal clientele, including The Royal Families of UAE, Bahrain, Doha and Saudi Arabia. Our shows in their cities for the last 20 years have created goodwill.

FL: What is an ideal summer jewellery look?

SN: Jewellery is something extremely personal, and every woman would want her personality to be reflected; having said that, one can seldom go wrong with a classic pair of solitaire earrings, which can be paired with just about any other jewellery depending on the occasion and time of the day. A statement solitaire tennis bracelet, a stack of bracelets in emerald, ruby and diamonds are versatile. A cocktail ring or two and a classic emerald ring should be part of a girl/woman’s jewellery box for summer.

FL: Any icon who, according to you, rocks the vintage style?

SN: Women have an innate beauty in them to be able to carry jewellery naturally and effortlessly. A woman with a certain panache will ideally suit the vintage style, and they surround us.

FL: What has changed in the Indian luxury jewellery space?

SN: Owning jewellery which speaks the language of the one who adorns it has changed the narrative of the appeal of luxury jewellery. The accessibility to a woman who can independently purchase her jewellery is creditable.

FL: What role does popular culture – films and shows – play in shaping or influencing demand?

SN: The entertainment industry has star icons who have the potential to start a trend for sure, so when they endorse or wear it may influence it. However, the demand will also be due to the numerous occasions and festivals our rich heritage is replete with.

FL: After a slump, buyers seemed to have returned to traditional stores this festive season. What are your observations?

SN: The pandemic had indeed left a huge gap with reasons known to all. Time has been a true teacher, and like everything temporary, people are eventually returning to normalcy. Indian weddings will demand jewellery, and people tend to save ahead of time, little or more, all industries have had their ways of battling tough times. Work goes on and should go on.

FL: What styles will dominate the festive jewellery space this new year?

SN: Statement pieces like long earrings in polki with a bracelet and head accessory are here to stay. Diamonds and emeralds with elegance, style and designs will reign forever.

FL: Any rule for investing in jewellery for aspirational buyers?

SN: Certified Solitaires are highly recommended. Jewellery in itself is always an investment. Our industry thrives on trust and long-term associations, which we assure you.