GYAN Jaipur : Modern Elegance with a Traditional Touch

As a fine jewellery brand, GYAN Jaipur beautifully captures the colourful culture and dynamic spirit of the fabled “Pink City,” in their delicately crafted jewellery pieces. By marrying generations-old jewellery craftsmanship with a fresh and modern design aesthetic, the brand creates jewellery that resonates with traditional Indian charm while carrying a global appeal.

GYAN Jaipur’s pieces are evocative, and each has a unique story to tell. Elegant designs, meticulous attention to detail, and superb jewellery craftsmanship are the three hallmarks of the brand.

But there is a fourth, colour! GYAN uses colour brilliantly and generously. Unexpected gem and colour combinations thrill and delight. Pink opals and red rubies, deeply yellow citrine and black enamel, the textures and colours of the gems bring to mind the exuberant, multicoloured hues of Jaipur.

Founded nearly seven years ago by the scions of the Dhaddha family, renowned Jain jewellers with many generations of jewellery-making experience, GYAN Jaipur is perfect for the modern jewellery lover – someone who appreciates finely crafted jewellery pieces that are imbued with heritage but also have a contemporary appeal.

At its heart, though, this fine jewellery brand is a love letter to the arts, crafts and architecture of Jaipur.

I recently caught up with Akhil Dhaddha, Creative Director at GYAN Jaipur. In our conversation, we discussed the brand’s history, design inspirations as well as its dedication to sustainability and social responsibility.

Please tell us about the history of GYAN Jaipur and how it evolved into the fine jewellery brand it is today?

GYAN Jaipur’s journey into the realm of fine jewellery is steeped in history and tradition. The fine jewellery brand was founded in 2017, soon after the launch of the Gyan Museum in 2016. The museum is the legacy of our grandfather, Late Mr. Gyan Chand Ji Dhaddha, who was a connoisseur and collector, with a profound appreciation for the arts and crafts of Jaipur.

Inspired by the exceptional works of art housed at the GYAN museum, our jewellery brand GYAN Jaipur represents the 4th generation of dedicated Jain jewellers and draws inspiration from the vibrant cultural tapestry of Jaipur. As a brand, it is deeply rooted in tradition and propelled by innovation. 

GYAN Jaipur creates jewellery that is a brilliant fusion of traditional Indian motifs realized through a modern and Western design aesthetic. Could you elaborate on specific elements of Indian architecture, colours, and motifs that frequently inspire your designs and the modern appeal of your jewellery pieces?

We draw our design inspiration from the rich architectural landmarks and cultural motifs of Jaipur. At present we have three collections and each has found its design inspiration in a different aspect of Jaipur’s cultural heritage.

The intricate jalis, or perforated stone screens, seen in the historical palaces, inspire the latticework in our Sarai collection. This collection beautifully reflects the opulence of Jaipur’s princely era.

Our Aravali collection, named after the majestic Aravali hills, reflects the sculptural landscapes and ornamental patterns reminiscent of royal artifacts preserved in the Gyan Museum. Each piece in this collection captures the essence of regal artistry, but effortlessly translates it into modern luxury.

The Jaipur collection celebrates the vibrant and colorful spirit of the city itself and the grandeur of its architecture. Infused with the lively essence of flowers, festivals, and art, this collection is a harmonious fusion of heritage and modernity.

Could you walk us through the brand’s creative process. How does a design concept come to life, from inspiration to finished piece?

At GYAN Jaipur, each jewellery piece begins with inspiration drawn from Jaipur’s cultural richness and architectural splendor. The creative journey starts with extensive market research and style analysis.

The design team then conceptualizes these motifs and inspirations into detailed sketches and precise models, translating the ideas into intricate details and technical specifications.

Skilled artisans then meticulously craft each piece by hand, using traditional techniques passed down through generations. These include gemstone cutting and shaping, gold casting, and polishing each of our exquisite pieces to perfection.

What traditional craftsmanship techniques have you preserved in your jewellery making, and how do you integrate them with modern techniques?

Our highly skilled artisans, who have learned their craft from their fathers and grandfathers, employ time-honored techniques to sculpt gold, set precious stones, and polish jewels.

For instance, our jewellery craftsmen still use the intricate thread polishing process. This technique involves pulling very fine cotton or silk threads inside and through the back of a jewellery piece, especially through openwork design motifs. The technique imparts a unique shine and smoothness to our pieces, showcasing our commitment to heritage craftsmanship.

These and other traditional methods are seamlessly integrated with modern technologies and precise technical specifications, ensuring each piece meets the highest standards of quality and craftsmanship.

At GYAN Jaipur, it is believed that everything, including stones, have life. Could you talk about the responsible and ethical sourcing of jewellery materials at GYAN Jaipur and why this is such an important aspect of the brand’s values?

Ethical sourcing of jewellery materials is a cornerstone of our brand’s values, reflecting our commitment to integrity, sustainability, and respect for all life. These values are deeply rooted in our Jainism principles of non-violence. By ensuring that our gemstones are ethically sourced, we uphold transparency and accountability throughout our supply chain, safeguarding the welfare of miners and artisans while promoting environmentally responsible mining practices. All these together  reflect our brand’s responsible artistry and conscious consumerism.

Social responsibility is another key aspect of your brand. Could you tell us about any initiatives you have undertaken to empower artisans and give back to the community?

At GYAN Jaipur we believe in empowering our artisans by preserving traditional craftsmanship and providing fair wage opportunities. The brand strictly opposes child labor and adheres to ethical practices and impactful initiatives that contribute positively to community development.

A portion of our sales is dedicated to social causes such as supporting healthcare programmes and infrastructure improvements in the regions where our artisans reside. We believe in fostering sustainable growth and enhancing the quality of life of all our artisans.

In addition, by prioritizing fair trade practices and community engagement, GYAN Jaipur strives to create a positive social impact in the jewellery world.

Featured Image: Blue Sapphire, Diamond and 18K Gold Cuff Bracelet, Sarai Collection