Sparkling Story

High-value craftsmanship and exquisite designs are synonymous with P.N.Gadgil Jewellers. It is not surprising then that the brand, established in 1832 in Pune, is on the wishlist of several women. Over the years they have created enchanting gold jewellery for royalty, business tycoons, celebrities and even gods (yes, for temple idols!). Named after the founder, Purushottam Narayan Gadgil, the brand now has an international presence with a store in Sunnyvale, California. And it wouldn’t have been possible without Saurabh Gadgil, the leading force behind the change. All in the family A bright student, Gadgil probably always knew that his family business had him hooked. “As a child I used to go to the store on holidays and auspicious occasions to count cash and just have fun,” he says. “When I scored 95 per cent in the 10th grade, I had to choose between commerce and science and at that point I was vaguely aware that I wanted to be involved in the family business—it came naturally to me.” Gadgil admits there was never any pressure on him and that his family valued education and allowed him to make his own decisions. Studying management at Symbiosis, Pune, and Harvard Business School, USA, taught him a lot and enabled him to segregate ownership from management— the first chapter in their expansion story. “When I was doing my MBA, we had only one store,” he says. “That’s when I realised the importance of systematic management—everything was running on faith, trust and family up till then.” After a SWOT analysis of the entire business Gadgil was able to chalk out a plan to upgrade every facet of the brand. “I convinced the family about putting systems in place, accountability, work delegation and job definition—and things evolved over time.” Heritage weds modern times The brand believes in moving ahead with the times, without letting go of their heritage. “Our USP is our legacy—generations of karigars, bejewelled authentic temple jewellery designs, traditional Maharashtrian jewellery, our design bank—it’s not something you will find in the new jewellery market,” says Gadgil. “It also enables us to understand the needs of clients and how they have evolved over time.” Chock-a-block with spectacular gold jewellery, the stores have some stunning pieces in yellow gold and have not given in entirely to the diamond craze that has swept the world of bling. “Diamond jewellery has been trending in recent times, especially the last ten years, but the mass market is still yellow gold, which features in every wedding and festive occasion,” explains Gadgil. “People in India still see gold as a sign of wealth and prosperity,” he adds. Yes, gold jewellery isn’t going anywhere, anytime soon. However, that doesn’t mean the brand ignores the aspirational value of diamonds—they are a girl’s best friend, after all. But at P.N.Gadgil Jewellers, it is done with a sense of identity. “We do use diamonds in a big way, especially in temple and Maharashtrian jewellery— but in traditional designs and set in yellow gold.”

Mad about Madhuri With P.N.Gadgil Jewellers expanding at such a rapid pace, Gadgil felt the need for a face of the brand. The Maharashtrian jewellery brand did not have to look too far to choose an ambassador and signed on Madhuri Dixit Nene a year and a half ago. “Madhuri stands for eternal beauty, is well-respected, and shares our values and culture, so she just fits in very well,” says Gadgil. “She has had a long association with the brand as her family and her husband’s have been buying our jewellery for a long time—hopefully we can do a Madhuri collection soon.” Another feather in the cap for the bijoux brand was their store in USA and Gadgil also tells us about his plans to expand to other Indian states and the Middle East. The brand has also been participating in CSR initiatives long before it became a fad. “Our Think Pure Foundation supports the elderly, vocational education, upcoming artisans, women’s and children’s education—there’s a lot that can be done,” he signs off. Photography by Abhay Singh; Styling Aakanksha Jain; Hair Subhash Vagal; Makeup Sangeeta Hegde Neckpiece and rings, both Jewellery.