Retro Forever

GIVEN that it is one of many jewellery stores that line the streets near Mumbai’s Opera House,it’s easy to miss the store — Pransukhlal Brothers Jewellers. It is located in a bylane and is devoid of the trappings of a fancy jewellery store. Yet,over the years,it has garnered a loyal clientele despite its “by-appointment only” policy.

The store has stunning jewellery pieces — right from bracelets and cufflinks to neckpieces and earrings — on display. A closer inspection will tell the visitor that the store specialises in Parsi and estate jewellery. “The store has been catering to a predominantly Parsi clientele right since its inception in 1965. Back then,my father,Pransukhlal Sagar,set up the store and he even went door-to-door to Parsi households to sell his jewellery,” recollects Subhash Sagar,who now runs the store,along with his sons Mihir and Samir. “Over the years,we have understood the Parsi community very well. Apart from doing everyday and occasion-wear jewellery for them,we also sell Victorian and jadau jewellery. We also have silver items such as vases and tea sets,” points out Mihir,adding that rates start at as low as Rs 5,000. Five pairs of their vintage cufflinks were part of the recent Gentleman’s sale auction by Saffronart.

Unlike a vintage jewellery store,the Sagars make no claims regarding the exact time period for a piece. “We can vouch for the purity of gold and that it is an authentic vintage piece owned by a family known to us. Most of our vintage pieces are more than 50 years old,” emphasises Mihir.