Vintage Vantage

Bela Madan likes single stones in the Tiffany setting, which ensures both sparkle and spread, making each piece a statement-maker.

You wouldn’t expect a teacher and mother of four, who is currently completing her Ph.D in Feminism, to be a connoisseur of fine jewels. But her grandmother was from the royal family of Kapurthala, and that’s why you will always see Bela Madan wearing the most stunning baubles. Some of them have been passed down by her mother, like the garhichuri (or bangle), which was hand-made almost 100 years ago in Sialkot, Pakistan. “It is the undisputed star of my treasure box, as it is hand-beaten gold crafted into structured shapes—a dying craft that reminds me of our rich heritage. It’s like wearing a piece of history on my wrist.” Another family heirloom from her grandmother is a turquoise and pearl choker reserved for special occasions. “It has sentiments attached to it, making it my most treasured neckpiece. The fact that it is vintage makes it even more beloved.”

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Rings are Madan’s passion, and chokers aren’t far behind, along with South Sea pearls and brooches. But Madan is discerning and pragmatic while buying jewellery as she knows that fads fade away. She invests in big, single stones, diamonds or coloured pieces. “I feel that jewellery must be in sync with your age, persona, profession and occasion. I like to buy something chic and that doesn’t mean Indian jewellery is not included.” Her Colombian emerald ring from her family jewellers in New Delhi’s Paharganj has a personality of its own and is enough to dress you up. It is also Madan’s favourite stone, as it enhances her creativity and puts her in a ‘good mood’. Madan favours three jewellers in the capital—Rakyans for pearls; TBZ (Tribhovandas Bhimji Zaveri) for gold ornaments; and Khanna Jewellers for diamond rings. “Yellow gold is back with a bang, so I just bought a figurative necklace with pink tourmaline from Tanishq.” But her most preferred metals are white gold and platinum.

Madan wanted her two daughters to get a taste of luxury and gifted them Cartier bracelets with the iconic diamond Cs. Personally, she admires the Tiffany setting, which changed the way diamonds were set before 1886. Though the setting subdues the glitz a little bit, it still guarantees more shine and visibility as the surface gets exposed. “As I wear a lot of single stones, I opt for this setting that comes with a slightly raised claw,” she signs off.