If we look at Indian culture, we have to talk about our affinity, as a community, towards our jewelry and how significant it is for our heritage. No occasion in India is considered pompous without a substantial show of jewelry, crafted by the top jewelry brands in India. But it is not limited to just a show; you will realize that it is an integral part of the identity of Indian women.
Men take equal pride in flaunting their golds in India, and the cinema has always portrayed its greats and the gray modestly clad in them. Over the decades, this love has resulted in some acclaimed brands ruling the Indian jewelry market.
Even though there is an absolute leaning towards the traditional jewelry design or the ones passed on from generation to generation, we see a certain market shift now. There is a growing favoritism towards luxury jewelry brands, blended with the appeal for the traditional ones. In this article, we will discover some of the brands that sell this experience.
Top 10 Jewelry Brands in India
Currently, it is a major win for the brands to shift the focus of the Indian consumer from the traditionally local jeweler to a more branded experience. But it didn’t come easy; they had to offer the best designs backed by trust and security.
Let us see in detail how they have done this by knowing their legacy.
1. Tanishq
The first-ever jewelry retail chain in India, Tanishq has always been the go-to choice for enthusiasts. The house of Titan launched Tanishq in the year 1994 and currently, it has 410 retail stores across more than 240 cities in India, UAE, the US, Singapore, and Qatar.
Design
Tanishq currently specializes both in traditional wedding jewelry and daily wear casuals. It has segregated the casual section under the brand name MIA, which offers mainly work wear and party wear accessories.
This 22K jewelry maker specializes both in gold and diamond, along with precious stones. This is backed by a rigorous quality check. It tries to blend the authenticity of Indian culture with the current Westernization of trends and succeeds meticulously.
At A Glance
- Tanishq has always been known to tell the story of celebrations with its grandiose yet eye-pleasing designs.
- Its unique innovation, The Karatmeter, recognized by the World Gold Council and NIST, measures gold purity in seconds. It is available in every Tanishq store and is up for a test.
2. Kalyan Jewellers
Established in the year 1993, this pioneer from Kerala has garnered a surprising yet deserved fan base all over the nation. This gold mogul believes in fostering an educated consumer base by making them aware of their jewelry and purity parameters.
Its popularity is evident from the fact that, as of July 2024, it has 277 showrooms across India and the Middle East. Not only that, it is planning to expand more both nationally and globally.
Design
The design catalog for Kalyan is very impressive and has a variety of options to pick from in gold, silver, diamond, and pearls. It also focuses to a great length on workwear jewelry.
It has a dedicated state-wise collection for the brides on their big day to ensure it upholds the ritualistic significance too. What is impressive about this brand is the selective branding of all its designs and attaching them to a significant event. It not only gives an organized feel but enables the customer with the freedom of unlimited choice.
At A Glance
- Some of its most loved products include Mudhra, which is handcrafted antique jewelry, and Nimah, which focuses more on the heritage of the gems of India.
- Their finest work in diamonds includes Anokh: uncut diamonds, Apoorva: diamonds for special occasions, Antara: wedding Diamonds, Hera: daily wear diamonds, and Rang: precious stones jewelry.
3. Malabar Gold & Diamonds
People initially avoided buying jewelry from an unknown retailer due to the fear of being duped. But brands like Tanishq, Kalyan Jewelers, and Malabar have changed this perception forever. Now people are only inclined toward brands that have their purity certificate ready. One such trusted brand is the Malabar Gold and Diamonds, which traces its origin way back in 1993 in Kozhikode, Kerala.
It is currently one of the largest jewelry retailers in the world, with an annual turnover of $6.2 billion. It currently has 15 business verticals spread across 13 countries and is also known to have attached itself to various philanthropic causes.
Design
The brand is known for bragging about 100% BIS hallmark gold and its uniqueness of design. They also have impressive certifications like the PGI (Platinum Guild International) for its platinum and the Kimberley Process Certification Scheme (KPCS) for its diamonds.
What is distinctive about this brand is their love for ancient Indian motifs and the intricacy of presenting them in their designs. Even though they provide customization options, what resonates more with the customers is their practice of ethical sourcing.
At A Glance
- Even though it offers an intricate line of work, some of its collections can be a bit overbearing for daily wear.
4. Senco Gold
The name Senco Gold immediately invokes imagery of the fine craftsmen of Bengal putting their heart and soul into making one piece of jewelry. Senco has a heritage of eighty-plus years, which was incorporated as Senco Gold Private Limited on August 22, 1994.
It is the leading jewelry brand in Bengal and has been getting national attention. Senco Gold has a presence across 16 Indian states with 150+ showrooms. Currently, it is in an omnichannel presence situation and is looking at expanding further in the coming years.
Design
Senco, apart from its legacy, sells class and precision to its customers, which is evident from its designs. It specializes mainly in filigree, meenakari, polki, jadau, and temple jewelry. Even though the designs are grandiose, they have a certain subtlety that leaves an eye-pleasing effect.
You will be able to witness the finesse of the artisans in rings, earrings, pendants, bracelets, necklaces, nosepins, mangalsutras, chains, and bangles in gold and diamonds.
At A Glance
- The logistical restriction of a physical store refrains a lot of customers from putting their trust in it.
- But it has a significant amount of revenue coming in from Eastern India and it made the headlines for its IPO listings this year.
5. PC Jeweller
Another brand that is known for its sophistication and elegance, PC Jeweller hails from the land of Delhi and started its journey in 2005. With a smart online presence, along with 80 stores in 66 cities across 17 States/UT, it has become a preferred destination for the jewelry lover.
If you look at the present scenario, the recent embezzlement case of Nirav Modi has pushed back the reputation of the jewelers to an extent. But brands like these have stood the test of time, come what may. I think what works in their favor is not only an array of designs or intriguing motifs but the liberty of a personalized experience.
Design
This first-generation business, handled by Padam Chand Gupta and Balram Garg, has many great designs to its glory. Apart from traditional gold motifs, it has polished diamond jewelry along with Kundan and polki.
Even a single neckpiece from the jeweler tends to give a layered look, which is evident in all the other collections. It bases the rich Indian tapestry with floral patterns and vintage aesthetic for its jewelry.
At A Glance
- You can find some intricate work backed by a quick exchange policy with this goldsmith.
6. Joyalukkas
Even if you are not a jewelry enthusiast, you will know the Joyalukkas name in India. The Joyalukkas group is the perfect example of the phrase “struck gold” in every literal sense of the term.
Established by Alukka Joseph Varghese in the land of Thrissur in Kerala, it saw the light of the world when Joy Alukkas dared to go global with its heritage. Joy, a school dropout, thought of restructuring the business, which paved the way for a Dubai expansion, and the rest is history. Currently, it has a budding relationship with over 100 nationalities in 160+ showrooms spread across 11 countries.
Design
The love for jewelry is a very personal experience and is a direct reflection of one’s personality. Joyalukkas tries to reflect these same emotions in its collections. It has dedicated sections for various occasions and specializes in bridal jewelry. But apart from its grand designs, it has quick fashion fixes which is an ideal daily wear collection.
At A Glance
- With an accessible online presence and various stores all over the country, shopping with Joyalukkas is usually a pleasant experience.
- What makes this brand a trustworthy alternative is the fact it was the first-ever Indian jewelry brand to get 9001:2008 and 14001:2004 certifications.
7. Amrapali Jewels
The story of Amrapali is more like reading poetry, dedicating its brand name to the goddess of muse; its collection is an amalgamation of culture infused with elegance. Its founders, Rajiv Arora & Rajesh Ajmera, love ancient Indian motifs and its heritage is evident in each collection by the brand.
Design
If you wish to be a part of the ancient art of creating jewelry or flaunt the rare spectacle of Indian craftsmanship, this is the brand for you. Even though it has stores in India, in London it is mainly known for operating the Amrapali Museum of jewelry. It is a tribute to the richness and elegance of the craftsmanship of the last fifty years.
You will find its influence with Hollywood celebrities too and that is one of the biggest examples of how it is a perfect mix of modernity brewing from traditions.
At A Glance
- The brand has an elite air about it, which makes it a less approachable one compared to its contemporaries.
- Even though it has great intricate designs, the controversies of tax evasion and other such issues make consumers skeptical of it.
8. Tribhovandas Bhimji Zaveri (TBZ)
TBZ is becoming a name to be reckoned with in the Indian jewelry catalog. Its authentic charm makes it one of the most trusted brands of our time, and it’s only going to get bigger. Even though the brand has yet to make a global debut it is already a hit in its homegroud.
The origin of this famous jewelry brand can be traced to Mumbai in 1864 by Tribhovandas Bhimji Zaveri in Zaveri Bazaar. It has grown massively in length and bounds and has 37 showrooms in 23 cities across 11 states.
Design
What makes TBZ stand out is the lightweight yet heavily designed jewelry for its consumer base. It offers 100% BIS hallmarked 22-karat gold jewelry and sells authentic diamonds with a buy-back guarantee. You will see the boundaries of current designs and the heritage of art disappear and become one with this premium brand.
They have a dedicated focus on their art manufacturing unit and combine the grandeur of vintage with the accessibility of modernity.
At A Glance
- The brand lacks a proper promotional campaign to be recognized in every corner of the country. However, the ones who are loyal to it keep experiencing new and cutting-edge designs with each launch.
- TBZ is one of the first brands to venture into the art of making jewelry for men with its Gentlemen’s Collection in gold and diamonds.
9. CaratLane
The house of Titan did the impossible in the Indian jewelry scene, which no brand had ever thought about doing before. It made lavish and intricate jewelry available and accessible for daily use. Owned by Tanishq, this budding jewelry brand has made its way to the top of the list in a span of a few years.
What made CaratLane a loved brand is due to its enabler approach towards diamonds. The concept of buying diamonds for the Indian middle class has always been a foreign one. Moreover, the traditional conversation of jewelry being overbearing was completely rejected by this brand. It made jewelry not only lightweight but accessible too.
Design
CaratLane doesn’t have the overbearing designs for you to dress up as the bride. But it has minimalistic and subtle ones for you to be the talk of the town. It brings the much-required modern approach to the patrimony of Indian jewelry and makes it accessible within a few clicks.
At A Glance
- Not only does this brand make diamonds affordable but involves a wide range of women in the likes of wearing jewelry.
- CaratLane ensured that it caters to the modern Indian woman, keeping in mind her various needs and crafting art according to them.
10. Bhima Jewellers
Tracing its origin to the year 1925, founded by Bhima Bhattar, it is one of those six firms that is believed to have been controlling India’s gold in recent years. In fact, you will be surprised to know that it had seen a massive turnover of ₹48,000 crore in the year 2022.
The business is currently handled by the five sons of the family: Girirajan, Govindan, Krishnan, Bindumadhav, and Lakshmikanthan, with their separate headquarters and branches.
Design
The brand is known for its traditional and yet bold designs, taking inspiration from various states of India. Their palette includes the likes of the traditional Kerala designs and its love for lush motifs. The heavy ornate pieces of Bengal also make a much-deserved entry in this line, along with the Nellore and Karawar stone studded jewelry.
But its prowess doesn’t end here. It is also a pioneer in manufacturing a fine range of Diamond, Platinum, and Silver.
At A Glance
- The common people of India are yet to be exposed to the brilliance of this fine brand on a local level.
Factors to Consider When Choosing a Jewelry Brand
The thing about jewelry is until and unless you buy it yourself, it doesn’t quite hit the spot. There’s something uniquely satisfying about choosing a piece for yourself. Receiving a piece of jewelry as a gift is always an appreciated feeling but there is always a risk of not liking the design. When selecting a jewelry brand, particularly in India where purchases are seen as investments, there are several essential factors to consider before making this critical choice.
Some factors to consider before settling on a jewelry brand are as follows.
Craftsmanship: This is a non-negotiable factor when you are trying to buy for yourself. Elite craftsmanship is going to ensure that you not only have high-quality materials but a dedicated attention to detail. Not only that, a high craftsmanship standard ensures you have well-crafted pieces brewing out of a commitment to excellence.
Design: Your chosen piece of jewelry should not only reflect your style but also resonate with the sentiment of the set occasion. For example, an elaborate neckpiece suitable for wedding shenanigans is too much of an effort in an office setting. So, you should opt for a brand that is up for a challenge to surprise you with its designs. The commitment to only a particular type of design indicates the lack of variety. A brand should reflect a fine blend of the traditional with the modern to stay relevant in competitive times.
Pricing: In India, there is no dearth of luxury jewelry brands, so there is no upper limit on the pricing range. Hence, if you wish to go on a successful jewelry spree you have to make sure you have a set budget in your mind to make the most out of your purchase.
Customer Service:
The merit of a brand lies in its after-sales service, and it needs to be considered as one of the most important factors when settling for a brand. The brands that offer personalized assistance, easy returns, and clear communication should be the ones you opt for.
Luxury vs Traditional Jewelry
Like its people, India has a diverse range of jewelry brands that have luxury and traditional pieces both winning the hearts of its consumers. Even though there is a rising demand for luxury jewelry in India, the love for traditional jewelry is always a loyal contestant.
Luxury brands are more focused on exclusivity and high-end designs that reflect their status and personal style. With premium craftsmanship, intricate details, and unique designs, they are an investment-ready piece of work. Some popular brands that offer this premium experience include big-shot names like Tanishq, Malabar Gold and Diamonds, and others.
On the other hand, the traditional jewelry is a tribute to India’s rich cultural heritage. The intense focus on detailing with pieces like temple jewelry, Kundan, and Meenakari, tell the story of generations ago. There is a certain level of sentiment attached to it too, which is why consumers prefer to wear it during weddings and festivals. Brands that help strengthen the roots of such emotions with their creation are Senco Gold, Amrapali, Joylukkas, and others.
Conclusion
I hope you enjoyed reading about the rich legacy of Indian jewelry and the intense amount of effort that goes into making a single piece. What makes the obsession for the glitter stand out is not solely materialistic but has a high level of emotions attached to it, which makes it an interesting situation to talk about.
In fact, for many women in India, there is a certain sense of identity attached to the glorification of their ornaments. This is not a newly acquired feeling, but a trait passed down to them as a family value.
So, a brand trying to establish its merit as a goldsmith needs to tackle several factors before declaring its supremacy in the hearts of this culturally vibrant nation.
Frequently Asked Questions:
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Which jewelry brand offers the best bridal collections in India?
Some of the top-notch brands that offer the best jewelry collection in India include Tanishq, Kalyan Jewellers, Senco Gold and Diamonds.
2. What are some luxury jewelry brands in India?
Some luxury jewelry brands in India are Amrapali, Kalyan Jewellers, Malabar Gold and Diamonds, and Tanishq.
3. Do Indian jewelry brands offer traditional designs?
Yes, almost every top-notch brand in India offers traditional designs.
4. Where can I find designer jewelry brands in India?
You can find designer jewelry brands in India in boutiques, elite malls, and online with brands like CaratLane, Tanishq, and Amrapali, among others.
5. Which Indian jewelry brands offer custom jewelry services?
Some Indian jewelry brands offering custom jewelry services are Malabar Gold & Diamonds, Kalyan Jewellers, Gehna, and Tanishq.
6. Are there any famous gold jewelry brands in India?
India has some of the best brands when it comes to gold jewelry. This includes names like Tanishq, Bhima Jewellers, Kalyan Jewellers, Malabar Gold and Diamonds, and PC Jewellers.
