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This year will see the revival of the 1960s and 1970s- style jewellery. At least that’s what jewellers in Jaipur are putting their money on. The capital of Rajasthan is among the leaders in the coloured-stone segment of the gems and jewellery sector, with the industry here being more than 300 years old. The Pink City is also among the world’s largest centres for cutting and polishing gemstones, with over 80 per cent of the world’s emeralds worldwide cut in Jaipur. "Look at girls’ clothes...the 1960s and 1970s are the current rage in apparel and jewellery goes hand-in-hand with a woman’s attire," claims Rajiv Arora of Jaipur-based jewellery house Amrapali. "I believe that 2008 is the year when clear lines and geometric patterns will make a strong comeback," he says. The house has already made its mark on the world stage by designing baubles that glittered in Hollywood productions like Troy (2004) and Valley of Flowers (2006). Uva Jewellery Exports marketing manager Ritesh Jain agrees. "Jewellers here are receiving inquiries, both from overseas and domestic customers, that leads us to believe that the coming year shall witness the return of simple jewellery — circles, triangles or squares — something geometrical would be much in vogue," according to Jain. "I feel that 2008 would also be the year of black and white combinations in jewellery. Pink stones too may find favour with buyers," Jain says, adding that floral patterns too may attract jewellery connoisseurs. Anoop Bohra of Jewels Emporium has a slightly different vision for the coming year. "I feel that fashion is what a jeweller creates. There has been a very good response to our lotus collection that we launched to mark the new year," says Bohra. His jewellery house claims international recognition for new designs and craftsmanship. "The lotus collection reflects the art of French enamelling. The collection is handcrafted, studded with diamonds and other precious and semi-precious stones," pitches Bohra. Jewellery designer R.K. Chaudhary concurs that pink and black-and-white combinations may be the colours attracting customers but puts his money on blue tanzanite, which made waves after the Hollywood blockbuster "Titanic". "Blue tanzanite is set to be the fashion statement for 2008 in India," he predicts. On stone-studded jewellery prices, experts are betting a demand in the range of $250-2,500. "Jewellery that is cheap and suits every pocket would be much in demand and I feel stone-studded jewellery in the range of Rs.10,000-100,000 would be much in demand," Chaudhary said. The total value of gems and jewellery exports from Jaipur is estimated at around Rs.13 billion ($32 million). — IANS
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