Royal Reduction

Despite our democratic disdain for Indian royals, one can't help but be gob-smacked by their booty of baubles. Indian nizams and nawabs are known to have the most beautiful jewellery in the world. Here is a prince, who may be uncrowned today, but whose jewels are holding the world speechless.

Hanut Singh, scion of Punjab's Kapurthala family, has been making the most elegant and yet stylish jewellery for the past decade or so. His signature drop earrings and pendant necklaces have been worn and adored by Beyonce, Hayden Panetierre, the Olsen sisters, Amy Adams and Penelope Cruz. The New Delhi resident and global citizen has recently become an annual feature in Mumbai's society pages: both for his yearly showcases and his glossy clientele.

From February 7 to 9, Maithili Ahluwalia's discerning Colaba store, Bungalow 8, plays host to Singh's jewels. "It's a glamorous, evocative and thoroughly modern collection, yet with techniques from the past," says 40-year-old Singh about his line, called Shaken and Stirred. He should know a thing or two about heritage; his family was among the biggest clients of Boucheron, Cartier and Van Cleef & Arpels. His grandmother was photographed by Cecil Beaton and was an international sensation in the '20s and '30s. "I was always fascinated by stones and gems, and stories about stones and gems and their historical trail. As Liz Taylor so eloquently put it, 'We are only custodians of these wonderful stones'. I was in love with them from an early age," Singh explains. "But you must remember, everything wasn't big and bold then. It was stuff to be worn daily, small exquisite pieces and wonderful ceremonial pieces," he adds.

Understandably, Singh's confections are modern, yet inspired by heirlooms, especially culled from the design aesthetic of the '20s and '30s, what he calls "the greatest decade in design". His stones are his main feature — there are beautiful morganites, rock crystals, Paraiba tourmalines and carved gem stones. They are for wearing all the time, and they are, he says, for having a point of view.

ALSO READ

Shades of grey

High Spirits

Nostalgia Lane

Best of both worlds