The Symphony of Jewels
The Symphony of Jewels
The forces behind Bridal Asia, Dhruv & Divya Kapoor Gurwara, in conversation with Poorvi Singhal on their latest offering to the wedding market: a curation of the crème de la crème jewellers from across the country.
Indian weddings and sparkle go hand-in-hand, quite literally. Especially if you take into account
the pride of place jewellery holds, for brides and wedding goers alike, at these celebrations. So much so that, according to a 2024 report on the Indian wedding market by investment firm Jefferies, a whopping 50-55 percent of wedding expenditure is on the bling. Bridal Asia has been committed to mirroring the evolution of the Indian wedding industry, for over 25 years now, with thoughtful curations and exhibits across the country. So, a bejewelled turn was the only logical next step. Enter: The Symphony of Jewels, a hyper-focussed platform launched in 2022 by Bridal Asia, dedicated to the best in Indian fine jewellery, for truly discerning connoisseurs. What’s influencing these key shifts in jewellery consumption today? How does Bridal Asia curate these brands? And what makes the cut? We bring you these answers, straight from the source.
Poorvi Singhal (PS): Why a dedicated show on jewellery? And why now?
Divya Kapoor Gurwara (DKG): Having put up Bridal Asia shows across many Indian cities for more than 25 years now, we were thinking of the next exciting step. As a gemologist turned curator, I’ve always paid special attention to jewellery, and it’s always been an integral part of all our shows. So it was only a matter of time that we curated a dedicated jewellery show. It’s really representative of India, and the traditions of craftsmanship from different parts of the country. Since we launched The Symphony of Jewels in 2022 in Hyderabad, we travelled with it to Delhi and Ahmedabad, and we’ve seen great love for our curation.
Dhruv Gurwara (DG): Over the years, we’ve also realised that certain markets respond better when the focus is entirely on jewellery. Clients want one-on-one conversations with the jeweller, and The Symphony of Jewels format promises just that. Through our previous shows in Ahmedabad and Hyderabad, we realised that both cities are very keen on jewellery and investment pieces. So this was a perfect fit.
PS: How do you choose the brands showcased at The Symphony of Jewels?
DG: It all comes down to bringing a certain freshness to the event. We wanted a mix of trusted legacy jewellers and newer brands who are upping the ante in their own unique ways.
DKG: Curation is key here. We’ve been extremely particular that each brand is different, to ensure a truly versatile mix. So, you’ll find Jaipur’s gemstones and South India’s mango necklaces and temple jewellery, alongside the finest diamonds under one roof at The Symphony of Jewels. We want to do away with the hassle of travelling to different cities to buy your jewellery trousseau, by bringing each city’s defining styles and designs to the event.
PS: How has the Indian jewellery shopper evolved over recent years?
DKG: Today’s buyer is very well informed, and we do not shy away from educating them further. Even the brands we bring to the show are very committed to adding to the client’s knowledge. This is very important, especially in jewellery, because if there’s a synergy of minds, you’ll automatically have the confidence in that jeweller. Another shift is that today’s shopper knows what they want. They have an eye for design and will not settle for anything that doesn’t meet their expectations. And finally, they know the price. They’ve done their market research before coming to you.
DG: I couldn’t agree more. Brides are very aware of the market now. They don’t necessarily want to splurge on just the most popular brands, but place their bets on new jewellers too. Today’s brides are very open to experimenting. They no longer feel bound to buy from their family jeweller alone. If anything, they’re willing to explore new designs and brands but with a focus on wearability. They still want classic pieces for the wedding day, but it’s all about a fresh new look for the other ceremonies and parties.
BA: What are the biggest influences on a bride’s jewellery decision making?
DKG: Trends cannot be disregarded, as brides do pay attention to them. Celebrity brides also influence what real brides end up wearing that year. Instagram too plays a role in lending cool status to certain brands and styles. But of course, everything comes down to personal preference. Customers aren’t following trends blindly.
BA: What are some brands you’re particularly excited to have at the upcoming editions?
DKG: There are so many favourites, it’s hard to choose. But I have to say I was never a fan of gold jewellery until I explored HM Diwan Jewellers from Kolkata. They’re not your run-of-the-mill gold jewellery brand, which makes them very unique. Shree Raj Jewellers does resplendent coloured gemstone jewellery with emeralds and rubies. Their polki and larger-than- life diamond pieces are definitely high impact.
If you’re on the lookout for South Indian-inspired jewellery, their mango malas, armlets and temple jewellery stand out too. Badalia Gems Jewellers, Kolkata and Vilandi By Shikherjee Jewellers are two other brands that I love for gemstone jewellery.
