I have loved jewellery from the time I was very young.

My memories of Pati, my maternal grandmother,  in the red uncut ruby lotus necklace are myriad – weddings, family functions.

Even today when I think of summers with her, the memories are entwined with this gorgeous lotus necklace.

My hugging her as I slept, turning her neck towards me to listen to stories made up and real, and the smell of vetiver which is my favorite perfume!

This is the multicolored enamel set, also bought by my mother in Lucknow.

This was inspired by the Mughal enamel work and English pastels.

My husband gifted me a traditional Navaratna necklace and earrings for my 25th wedding anniversary.

I love Navaratnam and this was specially handcrafted by our Chettiar from Karaikudi.

In my youth I yearned to own jewellery – quantity over quality.

As I mature I have gotten to appreciate the singular pieces, the craftsmanship, the traditional beauty of gemstones and their timelessness.

My mother loves to tell the story of how I asked her for her gold necklace when I was 4 or 5 years old.

She shares the incident as my having said, “ Amma, Can I have that? Ippo illai (not now) …after you die”.

I plan to bequeath my jewellery and have already set aside a portion of my jewellery for various occasions for my two daughters.

My smaller pieces I plan to give as gifts to the household help who cannot afford to purchase gold.

I wear jewelry to accent my wardrobe – as an extension of my clothes.

I will sometimes take a very traditional piece and wear it with an off shoulder blouse or dress.

I have ALWAYS wondered whether there really IS the extent of wastage when making jewellery that we get charged for; or is it just an additional way to make money for the jeweller