Crystal Couture

Less than a decade ago before malls took over Delhi,the only market you could hope to find trendy clothes,jewellery and make-up in,was the Greater Kailash-I,M-Block Market.

Less than a decade ago before malls took over Delhi,the only market you could hope to find trendy clothes,jewellery and make-up in,was the Greater Kailash-I,M-Block Market. Despite the noxious generator fumes pouring into narrow passageways,I remember trudging through an endless array of basement shops that sold everything from Goth make-up to maternity wear. At one time the most expensive commercial real estate in Delhi,M-Block,still draws in the crowds,though its advisable to carry an oxygen mask if you plan to spend time there. However,it no longer attracts teenagers in search of cool accessories; instead,its become a destination for serious jewellery shoppers.

The wedding industry has done a good job convincing us that a marriage proposal is virtually null and void without a diamond. And that a bride has to have the right jewellery to get married. But in a sea of exquisitely dressed shops displaying fiery stones set in regal glory,one store,BGs,defiantly pokes fun at the craze for jaw-droppingly expensive jewellery and has turned it into a somewhat lucrative venture. BGs makes extremely convincing imitation jewellery chunky,theatrical stuff that only a bride can carry off.

Imitation jewellery so far,simply doesnt cut it at Indian weddings. An older generation would baulk with horror at a bride wearing fake gems. Better no gems at all. Yet,that loathsome term jewellery set is slowly,but surely,heading towards extinction. In my opinion,unless you are the bride,its a huge fashion faux pas to wear matching earrings,necklace,ring and bangles. Sure,it looks great in Jodhaa Akbar,but in reality,youre likely to look like a dated,overdressed cartoon.

A decent sized wedding set depending on variables like quality and weight,can cost upwards of three lakhs. Many more brides are discovering the value of shopping at places like BGs. Even with my limited financial knowledge,I realize it makes little sense to lock up Rs 3 lakh on wedding-specific jewellery. Besides the return it could fetch you on an FD,its better invested in many smaller pieces of jewellery that you might wear routinely.

India is one of the largest consumers of gold and diamonds in the world. While sets lose their lustre,theres an entirely different crowd for whom the craze is to flaunt a 10 carat diamond ring (Rs 1 crore upwards). Blame Elizabeth Taylor,or closer home,Sushmita Sen. The promoter of http://www.bag4aday.com,a popular website to rent branded handbags from Bottega Veneta and Louis Vuitton contemplated renting out real jewellery as well,but dropped the idea after evaluating risks of theft and capital investment. Shes settled for branded watches instead,but remains confident that jewellery will do well,if she can figure out a model for it to work. Conversely,Coco Chanel wore faux gems proudly,the first designer who made fake jewels acceptable.

In India,sadly,were obsessed with the real stuff. Yet,Moissonite,a lab-created mineral that has the same brilliance of a diamond at a fraction of the cost is wildly popular in Mumbai and Delhi . Will it be the death of the diamond? Cheesy rom-coms,responsible for propagating the diamond myth,should take a cue from Prince Williams gallant proposal,and change the setting of the ring to a sapphire instead. (hutkayfilms@gmail.com)

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jewellery