Jewellery designer Vardar Goenka of Diagold Jewels gives a glance of her journey over the last one and half decades and shares her thoughts with Sandhya Sutodia behind the creation of vibrant and glamorous collection, which has made its mark not only in the country but crossed many borders with an inveterate traveller, Goenka!%% “I remember making a 100 carat diamond necklace. It took a lot of time and effort to put things together. The result was an exemplary creation, to be treasured for generations to come,” recounts Kolkata-based jewellery designer Varda Goenka, adding that this particular necklace is a memorable one for her as she had made the elegant neckpiece for the princess of Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. %% Complete self assurance in one’s abilities and the guts and determination to see one’s ventures through is a sure fire recipe for success. And that is what Varda Goenka has in abundance, or else she would never have started a venture she knew nothing about. %% Today, this first generation jewellery designer retails her jewellery brand Diagold through four boutiques in the country and has a scintillating line of jewellery on offer. %% Jewellery never featured on the list of career options for this academically oriented designer. A gold medalist graduate in Biology, who went on to earn her masters in business administration, Goenka was married at age 20, and moved base from Uttar Pradesh to Kolkata in West Bengal. %% But always inclined to arts and painting, Goenka’s first brush with jewellery designing took place 15 years ago, when she chanced upon karigars (artisans) in Kolkata who designed handmade jewellery to order, said Goenka, a GIA graduate from U.S., when asked what made the business administration person choose jewellery designing profession. %% She says, “That gave me an opportunity to move away from the traditional designs which were on offer in the market. So, for family weddings, I’d design my own jewellery on paper, incorporating the look that I wanted, and hand it over to the karigars to manufacture it. Fortunately for me, these pieces were well appreciated.” %% Today a renowned designer says that her family backing is definitely a big part of her success. %% Seeing the extra touch of sparkle and elegance to her jewellery, Goenka has never looked back and at present her objective is to take her brand Diagold forward and make it a global enterprise. %%

Immense efforts, extensive market research and a team of expertly trained professionals have enabled Diagold to achieve its expansion goals but desires continue to rise for greater achievements in future. “We are looking for franchises and will be opening soon all over the country,” she said. %% “I wanted to use my creativity and passion for design in a positive manner, due to this I chose this profession,” Goenka added. %% Diagold is a designer jewellery brand born with the vision of one woman Varda Goenka and her passion for creation. “Diagold was launched in the city of joy in January, 2001 and from such humble beginnings we have moved to a network of showrooms covering Kolkata, Mumbai and Delhi, and overseas market,” said Goenka, director at Diagold Jewels. %% “The brand has become synonymous over the years with trendy designs quality products and exemplary service. My jewellery collection mirrors our philosophies of minimalist beauty combined with decadent elegance. This unique contrary design philosophy is our imprint on the world of designer jewellery,” she further adds. %% “A great poet once said, ‘A thing of beauty is a joy forever’. At Diagold we capture eternal beauty in jewellery. Custom-made masterpieces in innovative and unique designs are our signature,” she further said when asked to distinguish her jewellery line with other high-profile designers mushrooming across the country. %% An artist shows her creativity through in her designs that reflect an artist’s soul. The jewellery is inspired by the facets of modern life. The ethno-contemporary jewellery is meant for people with an eye for something new. %% Talking about her creation and her pieces, Goenka said each piece is crafted with soul and passion so much that they become a window to the soul. They undergo the 4Cs test— cut clarity, carat and colour. “Our stones are cut with precision to perfection to create stunning master pieces. The gold is hallmarked and the diamonds internationally certified to maintain stringent quality standards,” she said. %% Her personal claim to fame is her line of designer jewellery, Diagold, which brings together a fusion of diamonds and gold. “Jewellery adds a sense of extravagance to any and every occasion. Each piece of jewellery must be as flexible and spontaneous as the women who wear them,” she articulates. %% “My designs are my own and they combine the panache and finest of western jewellery with the artistic element and the beauty of Indian jewellery. My inspiration of creating such pieces comes from the beauty of the nature, colour of the desert and anything and everything,” she adds when asked what inspires her for creative such innovative and unique jewellery pieces. %%

Goenka prefers to keep innovating and experimenting with ideas that have never been tried before to present delicate motifs, cabochon rubies, and fine cut emeralds, baroque pearls vie with diamonds to create jewels which are stunning in impact. %% Various shapes of diamonds such as marquees, pears, baguettes, emerald cuts, oval and rounds, all combined together create elegant and truly heirloom pieces which are timeless in their beauty, she feels. %% The designer’s personal preference is a classy ensemble combined with one statement piece of jewellery that speaks for itself. %% It is interesting to note how the Kolkata based designer caters to her customers. Each line conveys a different emotion. “As a designer I look of terms of customer’s life style, usage and personality and try to create pieces for them,” she said. %% Still, she values her clients’ reactions to her jewellery. “I welcome those who critique my pieces. It helps me stay in tune with market needs,” she admits. %% Her recent collection consists of lots of emeralds and rubies combined with various multi shaped diamonds, she further added.Like every artist, Goenka has some signature collections, which include long cascading pendants, and broad, eye-catching bracelets. Although she mostly crafts her jewellery in gold and diamonds, she often deviates to incorporate elements like steel, bone, leather, wood, and even thread in her vast range of work. %% Talking about the designed jewellery market in India and the growth prospects of it, she said designed jewellery market in India is very good; customers are inclined for designed jewellery now days because they are becoming more and more aware of the changing trends. “A class of customers is more inclined for designed jewellery nowadays,” she said. %% As for trends, she believes that yellow and white gold, mixed and matched in different textures, will be immensely popular. Use of precious gemstones will also be in style. %% Her current lines include black ice, armature, Pearle de couture and textures which are claimed by women who want custom made pieces. %% An inveterate traveller, Goenka picks up ideas during her tours all over the globe. It helps her to fuse modern aspects into ethnic jewellery creations, which predominantly feature nature, and extraordinary patterns. %%

They have been participating in various international exhibitions in Dubai, Bahrain, Abu Dhabi, Saudi Arabia, Bangkok, London, etc. “We are regularly exhibiting in Delhi, Ludhiana, Chandigarh, Hyderabad, Bangalore, Guwahati, etc.,” she added. %% Shedding light on her learning rom the industry, she stated, “I have a learnt a lot from the industry. You learn something new and face some challenges every day.” %% “I would say that all those who aspire to become a jewellery designer should give their 100 per cent and they should also try to take an inspiration from everything and anything,” suggests Goenka to aspiring jewellery designers as she concludes our conversation. %%

Jewellery designer Vardar Goenka of Diagold Jewels gives a glance of her journey over the last one and half decades and shares her thoughts with Sandhya Sutodia behind the creation of vibrant and glamorous collection, which has made its mark not only in the country but crossed many borders with an inveterate traveller, Goenka!%% “I remember making a 100 carat diamond necklace. It took a lot of time and effort to put things together. The result was an exemplary creation, to be treasured for generations to come,” recounts Kolkata-based jewellery designer Varda Goenka, adding that this particular necklace is a memorable one for her as she had made the elegant neckpiece for the princess of Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. %% Complete self assurance in one’s abilities and the guts and determination to see one’s ventures through is a sure fire recipe for success. And that is what Varda Goenka has in abundance, or else she would never have started a venture she knew nothing about. %% Today, this first generation jewellery designer retails her jewellery brand Diagold through four boutiques in the country and has a scintillating line of jewellery on offer. %% Jewellery never featured on the list of career options for this academically oriented designer. A gold medalist graduate in Biology, who went on to earn her masters in business administration, Goenka was married at age 20, and moved base from Uttar Pradesh to Kolkata in West Bengal. %% But always inclined to arts and painting, Goenka’s first brush with jewellery designing took place 15 years ago, when she chanced upon karigars (artisans) in Kolkata who designed handmade jewellery to order, said Goenka, a GIA graduate from U.S., when asked what made the business administration person choose jewellery designing profession. %% She says, “That gave me an opportunity to move away from the traditional designs which were on offer in the market. So, for family weddings, I’d design my own jewellery on paper, incorporating the look that I wanted, and hand it over to the karigars to manufacture it. Fortunately for me, these pieces were well appreciated.” %% Today a renowned designer says that her family backing is definitely a big part of her success. %% Seeing the extra touch of sparkle and elegance to her jewellery, Goenka has never looked back and at present her objective is to take her brand Diagold forward and make it a global enterprise. %%

Immense efforts, extensive market research and a team of expertly trained professionals have enabled Diagold to achieve its expansion goals but desires continue to rise for greater achievements in future. “We are looking for franchises and will be opening soon all over the country,” she said. %% “I wanted to use my creativity and passion for design in a positive manner, due to this I chose this profession,” Goenka added. %% Diagold is a designer jewellery brand born with the vision of one woman Varda Goenka and her passion for creation. “Diagold was launched in the city of joy in January, 2001 and from such humble beginnings we have moved to a network of showrooms covering Kolkata, Mumbai and Delhi, and overseas market,” said Goenka, director at Diagold Jewels. %% “The brand has become synonymous over the years with trendy designs quality products and exemplary service. My jewellery collection mirrors our philosophies of minimalist beauty combined with decadent elegance. This unique contrary design philosophy is our imprint on the world of designer jewellery,” she further adds. %% “A great poet once said, ‘A thing of beauty is a joy forever’. At Diagold we capture eternal beauty in jewellery. Custom-made masterpieces in innovative and unique designs are our signature,” she further said when asked to distinguish her jewellery line with other high-profile designers mushrooming across the country. %% An artist shows her creativity through in her designs that reflect an artist’s soul. The jewellery is inspired by the facets of modern life. The ethno-contemporary jewellery is meant for people with an eye for something new. %% Talking about her creation and her pieces, Goenka said each piece is crafted with soul and passion so much that they become a window to the soul. They undergo the 4Cs test— cut clarity, carat and colour. “Our stones are cut with precision to perfection to create stunning master pieces. The gold is hallmarked and the diamonds internationally certified to maintain stringent quality standards,” she said. %% Her personal claim to fame is her line of designer jewellery, Diagold, which brings together a fusion of diamonds and gold. “Jewellery adds a sense of extravagance to any and every occasion. Each piece of jewellery must be as flexible and spontaneous as the women who wear them,” she articulates. %% “My designs are my own and they combine the panache and finest of western jewellery with the artistic element and the beauty of Indian jewellery. My inspiration of creating such pieces comes from the beauty of the nature, colour of the desert and anything and everything,” she adds when asked what inspires her for creative such innovative and unique jewellery pieces. %%

Goenka prefers to keep innovating and experimenting with ideas that have never been tried before to present delicate motifs, cabochon rubies, and fine cut emeralds, baroque pearls vie with diamonds to create jewels which are stunning in impact. %% Various shapes of diamonds such as marquees, pears, baguettes, emerald cuts, oval and rounds, all combined together create elegant and truly heirloom pieces which are timeless in their beauty, she feels. %% The designer’s personal preference is a classy ensemble combined with one statement piece of jewellery that speaks for itself. %% It is interesting to note how the Kolkata based designer caters to her customers. Each line conveys a different emotion. “As a designer I look of terms of customer’s life style, usage and personality and try to create pieces for them,” she said. %% Still, she values her clients’ reactions to her jewellery. “I welcome those who critique my pieces. It helps me stay in tune with market needs,” she admits. %% Her recent collection consists of lots of emeralds and rubies combined with various multi shaped diamonds, she further added.Like every artist, Goenka has some signature collections, which include long cascading pendants, and broad, eye-catching bracelets. Although she mostly crafts her jewellery in gold and diamonds, she often deviates to incorporate elements like steel, bone, leather, wood, and even thread in her vast range of work. %% Talking about the designed jewellery market in India and the growth prospects of it, she said designed jewellery market in India is very good; customers are inclined for designed jewellery now days because they are becoming more and more aware of the changing trends. “A class of customers is more inclined for designed jewellery nowadays,” she said. %% As for trends, she believes that yellow and white gold, mixed and matched in different textures, will be immensely popular. Use of precious gemstones will also be in style. %% Her current lines include black ice, armature, Pearle de couture and textures which are claimed by women who want custom made pieces. %% An inveterate traveller, Goenka picks up ideas during her tours all over the globe. It helps her to fuse modern aspects into ethnic jewellery creations, which predominantly feature nature, and extraordinary patterns. %%

They have been participating in various international exhibitions in Dubai, Bahrain, Abu Dhabi, Saudi Arabia, Bangkok, London, etc. “We are regularly exhibiting in Delhi, Ludhiana, Chandigarh, Hyderabad, Bangalore, Guwahati, etc.,” she added. %% Shedding light on her learning rom the industry, she stated, “I have a learnt a lot from the industry. You learn something new and face some challenges every day.” %% “I would say that all those who aspire to become a jewellery designer should give their 100 per cent and they should also try to take an inspiration from everything and anything,” suggests Goenka to aspiring jewellery designers as she concludes our conversation. %%

Jewellery designer Vardar Goenka of Diagold Jewels gives a glance of her journey over the last one and half decades and shares her thoughts with Sandhya Sutodia behind the creation of vibrant and glamorous collection, which has made its mark not only in the country but crossed many borders with an inveterate traveller, Goenka!%% “I remember making a 100 carat diamond necklace. It took a lot of time and effort to put things together. The result was an exemplary creation, to be treasured for generations to come,” recounts Kolkata-based jewellery designer Varda Goenka, adding that this particular necklace is a memorable one for her as she had made the elegant neckpiece for the princess of Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. %% Complete self assurance in one’s abilities and the guts and determination to see one’s ventures through is a sure fire recipe for success. And that is what Varda Goenka has in abundance, or else she would never have started a venture she knew nothing about. %% Today, this first generation jewellery designer retails her jewellery brand Diagold through four boutiques in the country and has a scintillating line of jewellery on offer. %% Jewellery never featured on the list of career options for this academically oriented designer. A gold medalist graduate in Biology, who went on to earn her masters in business administration, Goenka was married at age 20, and moved base from Uttar Pradesh to Kolkata in West Bengal. %% But always inclined to arts and painting, Goenka’s first brush with jewellery designing took place 15 years ago, when she chanced upon karigars (artisans) in Kolkata who designed handmade jewellery to order, said Goenka, a GIA graduate from U.S., when asked what made the business administration person choose jewellery designing profession. %% She says, “That gave me an opportunity to move away from the traditional designs which were on offer in the market. So, for family weddings, I’d design my own jewellery on paper, incorporating the look that I wanted, and hand it over to the karigars to manufacture it. Fortunately for me, these pieces were well appreciated.” %% Today a renowned designer says that her family backing is definitely a big part of her success. %% Seeing the extra touch of sparkle and elegance to her jewellery, Goenka has never looked back and at present her objective is to take her brand Diagold forward and make it a global enterprise. %%

Immense efforts, extensive market research and a team of expertly trained professionals have enabled Diagold to achieve its expansion goals but desires continue to rise for greater achievements in future. “We are looking for franchises and will be opening soon all over the country,” she said. %% “I wanted to use my creativity and passion for design in a positive manner, due to this I chose this profession,” Goenka added. %% Diagold is a designer jewellery brand born with the vision of one woman Varda Goenka and her passion for creation. “Diagold was launched in the city of joy in January, 2001 and from such humble beginnings we have moved to a network of showrooms covering Kolkata, Mumbai and Delhi, and overseas market,” said Goenka, director at Diagold Jewels. %% “The brand has become synonymous over the years with trendy designs quality products and exemplary service. My jewellery collection mirrors our philosophies of minimalist beauty combined with decadent elegance. This unique contrary design philosophy is our imprint on the world of designer jewellery,” she further adds. %% “A great poet once said, ‘A thing of beauty is a joy forever’. At Diagold we capture eternal beauty in jewellery. Custom-made masterpieces in innovative and unique designs are our signature,” she further said when asked to distinguish her jewellery line with other high-profile designers mushrooming across the country. %% An artist shows her creativity through in her designs that reflect an artist’s soul. The jewellery is inspired by the facets of modern life. The ethno-contemporary jewellery is meant for people with an eye for something new. %% Talking about her creation and her pieces, Goenka said each piece is crafted with soul and passion so much that they become a window to the soul. They undergo the 4Cs test— cut clarity, carat and colour. “Our stones are cut with precision to perfection to create stunning master pieces. The gold is hallmarked and the diamonds internationally certified to maintain stringent quality standards,” she said. %% Her personal claim to fame is her line of designer jewellery, Diagold, which brings together a fusion of diamonds and gold. “Jewellery adds a sense of extravagance to any and every occasion. Each piece of jewellery must be as flexible and spontaneous as the women who wear them,” she articulates. %% “My designs are my own and they combine the panache and finest of western jewellery with the artistic element and the beauty of Indian jewellery. My inspiration of creating such pieces comes from the beauty of the nature, colour of the desert and anything and everything,” she adds when asked what inspires her for creative such innovative and unique jewellery pieces. %%

Goenka prefers to keep innovating and experimenting with ideas that have never been tried before to present delicate motifs, cabochon rubies, and fine cut emeralds, baroque pearls vie with diamonds to create jewels which are stunning in impact. %% Various shapes of diamonds such as marquees, pears, baguettes, emerald cuts, oval and rounds, all combined together create elegant and truly heirloom pieces which are timeless in their beauty, she feels. %% The designer’s personal preference is a classy ensemble combined with one statement piece of jewellery that speaks for itself. %% It is interesting to note how the Kolkata based designer caters to her customers. Each line conveys a different emotion. “As a designer I look of terms of customer’s life style, usage and personality and try to create pieces for them,” she said. %% Still, she values her clients’ reactions to her jewellery. “I welcome those who critique my pieces. It helps me stay in tune with market needs,” she admits. %% Her recent collection consists of lots of emeralds and rubies combined with various multi shaped diamonds, she further added.Like every artist, Goenka has some signature collections, which include long cascading pendants, and broad, eye-catching bracelets. Although she mostly crafts her jewellery in gold and diamonds, she often deviates to incorporate elements like steel, bone, leather, wood, and even thread in her vast range of work. %% Talking about the designed jewellery market in India and the growth prospects of it, she said designed jewellery market in India is very good; customers are inclined for designed jewellery now days because they are becoming more and more aware of the changing trends. “A class of customers is more inclined for designed jewellery nowadays,” she said. %% As for trends, she believes that yellow and white gold, mixed and matched in different textures, will be immensely popular. Use of precious gemstones will also be in style. %% Her current lines include black ice, armature, Pearle de couture and textures which are claimed by women who want custom made pieces. %% An inveterate traveller, Goenka picks up ideas during her tours all over the globe. It helps her to fuse modern aspects into ethnic jewellery creations, which predominantly feature nature, and extraordinary patterns. %%

They have been participating in various international exhibitions in Dubai, Bahrain, Abu Dhabi, Saudi Arabia, Bangkok, London, etc. “We are regularly exhibiting in Delhi, Ludhiana, Chandigarh, Hyderabad, Bangalore, Guwahati, etc.,” she added. %% Shedding light on her learning rom the industry, she stated, “I have a learnt a lot from the industry. You learn something new and face some challenges every day.” %% “I would say that all those who aspire to become a jewellery designer should give their 100 per cent and they should also try to take an inspiration from everything and anything,” suggests Goenka to aspiring jewellery designers as she concludes our conversation. %%