Take us through your journey into jewellery designing: your inspiration, your beginnings, and your evolution into a renowned designer.

Neeta Boochra Jewellery is a story of passion and legacy, crafted with exquisite precision and imbued with a commitment to women’s empowerment. It is a celebration of passion and legacy that pays tribute to the visionary patriarch, Seth Kastoor Chand Boochra who laid the foundation of the jewellery business in the late 19th century popularly known as the “Silver King of India” and held a significant influence over the Nation’s silver prices. 

Under the tutelage of my father-in-law, Seth Lalit Kumar Boochra, I embarked on a quest to redefine luxury, craftsmanship, and societal impact. From the hallowed halls of tradition emerged “Neeta Boochra Jewellery,” a brand that echoes with the whispers of heritage and the bold strokes of modernity. As the Chief Designer of Neeta Boochra Jewellery, I have  carved a niche for myself crafting masterpieces that transcend time and trends. Each piece is a narrative woven with threads of resilience, passion, and empowerment. But her vision doesn’t stop there. 

What is your design philosophy? 

I believe in mix and match, blend of myriad tastes, old traditional design with innovative indo-western ideas that gives freshness and fragrance to jewelry. Whether it is natural gemstones, silver, antique jadau or polki, I have carved masterpieces out of all keeping the global women in mind. Be it purity and designs, transparency in pricing or the shopping experience, we pay equal attention to all aspects to craft a memorable user journey. It is this meticulous attention to details that has given us a loyal base of customers who swear by our quality and brand value when it comes to buying jewelry. 

The brand is built on the pillars of impeccable quality, finest workmanship and tremendous value for money. Ever since its inception, the brand’s single minded focus is to provide finest jewelry at the most honest prices, while standing high on the pedestals of quality and transparency. Over the years, the brand has evolved and grown tremendously, all the while diversifying its design portfolio to suit the changing taste and choice of the customers.

What are your favourite metals, stones and other materials? 

In our design process, 925 Silver, also known as Sterling Silver, holds a special place as our core material. It’s not only durable and versatile, but it also allows us to craft timeless pieces with a modern sensibility. When paired with natural gemstones, the result is truly stunning. We particularly love working with Aquamarine, Tourmaline, Lapis Lazuli, Turquoise, and Malachite—each of these stones has a unique charm and depth of color that can instantly elevate any design.

We also specialize in Polkis and Moissanite Polkis, both of which add a classic, regal touch to our creations. Kundan Meena work is another area we’re passionate about, as it beautifully merges traditional craftsmanship with contemporary appeal. Additionally, we adore restoring and reimagining antique pieces.

Take us through the creation process of your unique, innovative  jewellery pieces/ collections.

The creation process of our jewelry pieces is a beautiful journey that marries tradition with innovation, craftsmanship with creativity. Every piece we design begins with a vision—whether inspired by nature, art, culture, or personal stories. Here’s a step-by-step look at how we bring our unique, innovative collections to life:

Inspiration & Conceptualization:

• Gathering inspiration from various sources.
• Translating ideas into sketches, mood boards, and color palettes.

Material Selection:

• Choosing high-quality materials like 925 Silver and gemstones.
• Considering the aesthetic appeal and symbolic meaning of each material.

Design & Prototyping:

• Creating prototypes using traditional techniques and skilled artisans.
• Focusing on intricate details like Kundan Meena work and Polki settings.

Refining & Customization:

• Examining and refining the prototype for balance, symmetry, and comfort.
• Offering customization options to meet individual client preferences.

Finalizing & Finishing Touches:

• Polishing, cleaning, and ensuring secure gemstone settings.
• Conducting rigorous quality checks to guarantee perfection.

Bringing Antique Pieces to Life:

• Restoring and reinterpreting antique jewelry, blending history with modern design.

Final Presentation:

• Designing elegant packaging to enhance the overall experience of receiving and wearing the jewelry.

Your comments on demi-fine jewellery –a category that bridges the gap between fine jewellery and fashion jewellery.Do you see  a trend in this category?

Demi-fine jewelry is rapidly emerging as a growing trend, offering an exciting blend of fine and fashion jewelry. As consumers seek more accessible price points without compromising on luxury or craftsmanship, this category has found its niche, providing elegant, versatile pieces for everyday wear or special occasions, including destination weddings, chic events, and personal milestones.

Combining high-quality materials such as 925 silver, semi-precious stones, and gold vermeil, demi-fine jewelry delivers the perfect balance of affordability and timeless appeal. It caters to those who desire the elegance of fine jewelry without the hefty price tag, offering a seamless transition from day to night.

This market segment is particularly attractive to modern consumers, especially women seeking both practicality and sophistication. With its rising popularity, demi-fine jewelry is becoming a strong contender in the global jewelry market, poised for continued growth.

As an entrepreneur, what are the lessons you have learnt in establishing a business, strategy for growth, brand positioning etc. How does one balance creativity with commercial viability and changing consumer preferences?

Establishing a business has been an incredibly rewarding yet challenging journey. The lessons I’ve learned along the way have shaped my approach to both creativity and commercial viability, which are essential to sustaining long-term growth.

Key Lessons Learned

Uncompromising Quality: Prioritizing high-quality materials and meticulous craftsmanship in every piece. Building a reputation for timeless elegance and customer trust.

Adaptability & Agility: Continuously evolving to meet changing market demands and consumer preferences. Embracing new trends while maintaining brand identity.

Customer Relationships: Focusing on building strong relationships with customers, suppliers, and partners. Prioritizing emotional connections and fostering word-of-mouth recommendations.

Growth & Brand Positioning Strategy

Strong Brand Identity:Crafting a distinct brand narrative that resonates with customers.Positioning the brand as a blend of tradition and contemporary design.

Digital Presence:Leveraging e-commerce and social media platforms to connect with a global audience.Utilizing digital channels for showcasing collections and engaging with customers.

Sustainable Growth:Prioritizing long-term, sustainable growth over rapid expansion.Focusing on careful diversification, market exploration, and maintaining design integrity.

Finding the Balance:Striking a balance between staying true to the brand vision and responding to market trendsCreating timeless pieces that resonate with both current and future generations of jewelry lovers.

Your comments on the current jewellery designing segment in India? What is the standing and brand positioning of India’s jewellery designers on the global stage? After MAKE IN INDIA, are we ready for DESIGN IN INDIA?

The jewelry design industry in India is undergoing a transformative evolution, blending traditional craftsmanship with modern aesthetics to create a vibrant and dynamic landscape. While India has long been celebrated for its intricate designs, heritage craftsmanship, and use of precious metals and stones, there is a growing shift toward contemporary and minimalist styles. This change is driven by younger, globalized consumers seeking unique, versatile, and personalized pieces.

Indian jewelry designers are making significant strides on the global stage, gaining recognition in luxury markets for their distinctive, handcrafted creations that merge cultural richness with international appeal. With a heritage of gemstone expertise and innovative design, India is well-positioned to expand its influence in markets such as the US, Europe, and the Middle East, offering bespoke and artistic alternatives to mass-produced jewelry. This fusion of tradition and modernity signals immense potential for growth, both nationally and internationally, in the evolving jewelry design sector.

The MAKE IN INDIA initiative was a pivotal step for the country, fostering manufacturing and production at scale. It focused on making India a global manufacturing hub, and the jewelry industry certainly benefitted from this with increased production capabilities and export opportunities.

However, we are now at a stage where India’s jewelry designers need to transition from being primarily known for manufacturing and craftsmanship to becoming global leaders in design. DESIGN IN INDIA is not just about producing beautiful pieces—it’s about creating innovative, original, and internationally relevant designs that can compete with the best in the world.

What is potential for Indian designers to collaborate with global brands and top international designers?

The potential for Indian jewelry designers to collaborate with global brands and top international designers is immense and continues to grow as both the global luxury market and the demand for unique, high-quality craftsmanship expand. These collaborations are not only an opportunity for Indian designers to gain international exposure but also a chance to infuse global designs with the rich heritage, artistry, and intricate techniques that India is known for.

What’s your message for aspiring, as well as practicing, jewellery designers?

For aspiring and practicing jewelry designers, my message is simple: Stay true to your craft, embrace innovation, and never stop learning.

For aspiring and practicing jewelry designers, success lies in balancing artistic expression with technical expertise and business acumen. Designers should continuously hone their skills, embrace creativity, and produce unique pieces that tell a story. Equally important is understanding the business side, including branding, marketing, and customer engagement, to thrive in the competitive market. Collaboration, adaptability, and staying attuned to industry trends are key to evolving with the times. Building strong relationships and maintaining patience and persistence are vital for long-term growth. Above all, let your designs reflect passion, innovation, and a commitment to excellence, leaving a lasting legacy in the world of jewelry.