Whether as the first Indian jeweller with creations in the catalogues of Sotheby’s and Christie’s or finding inspiration in the works of Monet, NIRAV MODI is known to seamlessly interweave an artist’s creativity with a jeweller’s eye for detail. It’; only fitting that the ace diamantaire decided to take his jewels to an edit that art aficionados across the world look forward to by unveiling his high-jewellery collection at the prestigious La Biennale des Antiquaires in Paris. Vogue speaks to the diamond mogul about the collection showcasing at the legendary fair that’s known to bring together his two passions—art and jewellery.
How, according to you, do the worlds of art and fine jewellery merge?
I am intrigued by how jewellery and the fine arts capture one’s imagination and convey their vision of beauty. Music and art have the ability to move people, to make them pause and think, and make them feel a certain way. Jewellery, like art, has its own language and musicality; it shares a unique intimacy with the wearer.
What are the similarities between collecting art and fine jewellery?
Art collectors value the intricate details of structure and finesse of craftsmanship. Our jewels have been lauded for their sculptural quality and the finesse of the setting, which allows them to sit like silk on the skin. Art collectors would appreciate these intricacies.
What sets the high jewellery collection apart from your other lines?
Our high jewels stand out due to the rarity of the stones used. We have created them with the most exquisite fancy pink diamonds, yellow diamonds, rubies, emeralds and even the extremely rare blue diamonds. Each creation has a single artisan working on it for days to ensure consistency; a grand necklace can take some 2,000 hours to craft by hand.
Many of your collections have been inspired by art. Are there any artistic influences in this collection?
The Water Lily necklace from our Lotus Collection has been inspired by Monet’s Water Lilies. A few years ago, when I visited the Giverny gardens, where Monet’s painting was conceived, it felt like I had walked into the painting. This surreal experience sparked the creation of the Lotus Collection, where I attempted to recreate the dreaminess of Monet’s painting.
Do you have a favourite piece from the collection?
One of my favourites is the Emerald Maharani necklace. It channels the spirit of the opulent maharajah necklaces worn by Indian royals in the 19th and early 20th centuries. The necklace is created with graduated, rare and vivid green emerald beads. Sourcing these beads and ensuring symmetry and consistency in colour and size was challenging. Emeralds weighing over 870 carats and 146 carats of oval and pear-shaped diamonds have been used to create this jewel.
What’s the design process behind a NIRAV MODI creation?
I sit with my designers and describe my ideas, or I write a narrative around the jewel that I can clearly envisage in my imagination. My team helps me translate my imagination to reality.
