National News
THE GEMS BEHIND OUR JEWELS
Gold is an integral part of our lives, more so in the lives of women. Considered auspicious, gold is part of every celebration – be it festivals or personal milestones. According to the World Gold Council, Indian women collectively own around 24,000 tons of gold, which accounts for about 11% of the world’s total gold reserves in jewellery form. It is only right to say India is the global leader in household gold ownership. The Oxford Gold Group’s report states that the Indian households have more gold than the combined reserves of the United States, the International Monetary Fund (IMF), Switzerland and Germany.
Vummidi Bangaru Jewellers has been serving the Indian community with authentic and aesthetically appealing gold jewels for 125 years, now. VBJ has been a benchmark for purity and trust for decades. Our remarkable growth story and undying patronage since the 1900 has been possible because of our quality, design and innovation in the jewellery space. Every piece of jewellery from VBJ is intricately crafted to bring out its true emotion with the purest of materials and finest craftsmanship. This has been possible because of the talented and focussed professionals of the VBJ team.
While VBJ is beyond gender classification among its team members, with women’s day round the corner, it is only right to celebrate and congratulate the women who have been instrumental for VBJ’s phenomenal growth.
We have a total of 254 women employees at VBJ – 233 in the retail and 21 in the creative centre. While it is our principle to value every employee, we are extremely proud of three women employees specifically who have spent decades with VBJ. Padmasri M has been with us for 42.08 years, Vanitha for 42.02 years and Latha S for 34.1 years. At this age and time, it is truly remarkable.
As of now, we have 8 women designers and all of them have been trained at National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT). In the earlier years, there have been several prominent women leaders who have made significant contributions to the brand, showcasing remarkable leadership and management skills in their respective roles like Vanitha, Latha, Revathi and Radha.
Vanitha handled the Anna Salai Silver branch, where she demonstrated her exceptional ability in managing both operational and customer service aspects of the business. As the order manager, Latha played a crucial role in streamlining the order management process. Revathi was responsible for overseeing the Anna Nagar branch, a position that required strong leadership and managerial expertise. Serving as the Billing Manager, Radha was pivotal in managing the financial transactions and ensuring smooth billing operations.
Specialised training programmes and growth
VBJ offers specialized training programs designed to enhance the technical and soft skills of their women professionals. The training focusses on leadership development, communication skills, technical training, and project management to ensure they are equipped to handle all departments of VBJ.
Women have equal access to all training programmes and career advancement opportunities. Our unbiased recruitment and promotion policies, focussing on merit and skills, are bringing more women to the team.
Woman power at VBJ
We have made considerable strides in increasing the female representation to reflect our commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion. In 2022, there was 130 women out of 584 employees, which increased to 166 (out of 748) the following year. This number escalated to 200 (out of 767) in 2024 and now it stands at 254 out of the total 847 employees. This has been possible because of focussed efforts to improve gender diversity, targeted recruitment initiatives, mentorship programmes, implementation of policies promoting work-life balance and inclusive development for women.
In line with the theme of International Women’s Day 2025 – Accelerate Action – VBJ is working towards the continued upward trend in women participation and growth. We are strongly committed to fostering an environment where women feel valued and empowered in their roles at VBJ. At the helm, 5th generation women entrepreneurs from the VBJ family having started pouring in their creativity and fresh thoughts.
The Future of Women in Jewellery
The presence of women in the jewellery industry is not just growing—it is shaping its very foundation. Brands that actively foster gender inclusivity witness not only stronger business performance but also richer, more meaningful creations that resonate with a diverse audience. As we look ahead, the contributions of women in jewellery will continue to accelerate change – whether as designers reimagining aesthetics, artisans preserving age-old techniques, retail professionals enhancing customer experiences, or leaders driving sustainable business practices, their role is indispensable. On this International Women’s Day, let’s celebrate the true gems behind the jewels—the women who craft not just ornaments, but legacies that shine beyond brilliance.
National News
Nine Days, Nine Colours: Style Your Navratri Looks With CANDERE BY KALYAN JEWELLERS
Each day of Navratri brings a new colour to wear and another reason to dress up. Jewellery can follow the colour of the day or provide a contrast: diamonds lift a bright festive outfit, while coloured gemstones add interest to a simpler one.
Each day of Navratri brings a new colour to wear and another reason to dress up. Jewellery can follow the colour of the day or provide a contrast: diamonds lift a bright festive outfit, while coloured gemstones add interest to a simpler one.
For the nine days of celebration, Candere by Kalyan Jewellers brings together diamond and gemstone jewellery that can be styled in more than one way. A pair of earrings worn for a puja can work just as well for an evening of garba; a ring or bracelet can add a finishing touch without asking you to change the rest of your look. The edit offers ideas for pairing jewellery with each day’s colour while choosing pieces you will reach for long after Navratri. Here’s a curated edit-
Day 1 | Orange
Bring the vibrancy of orange to life with the Dewdrop Delight Diamond and Fancy Gemstone Collar Necklace, featuring colourful gemstones and diamond accents in a statement-making collar silhouette. The matching Dewdrop Delight Diamond and Fancy Gemstone Hoop Earrings carry the same gemstone detailing into an easy-to-wear hoop design, creating a coordinated look that feels festive yet contemporary. Together, the pieces bring colour and sparkle to an orange ensemble while keeping the jewellery look cohesive.
Styling Tip: Pair the set with an orange lehenga, saree or kurta set and keep additional jewellery minimal to let the coordinated necklace and earrings take centre stage.
Day 2 | White
Floral Rush Pearl Diamond Pendant Necklace + Pearl Blossom Essence Diamond Dangle Earrings. For white day, bring together the timeless elegance of pearls and the brilliance of diamonds. The Floral Rush necklace adds a delicate focal point around the neckline, while the Pearl Blossom Essence earrings introduce a graceful drop silhouette. The combination works beautifully for a look that feels festive yet refined.
Styling Tip: Wear the pairing with a white saree, chikankari ensemble or ivory lehenga. Keep the rest of the jewellery understated and let the pearls add softness to the look.
Day 3 | Red
Zona Diamond And Fancy Gemstone Dangle Earrings + Zona Diamond and Fancy Gemstone Collar Necklace. Make a statement in red with the coordinated Zona pairing. The dangle earrings and collar necklace bring together diamonds and colourful gemstones, creating a more expressive look that feels right at home with Navratri dressing. The collar silhouette adds definition around the neckline, while the earrings carry the colour upwards for a balanced finish.
Styling Tip: Style the pair with a classic red saree or lehenga and a clean neckline. Skip a heavy maang tikka or layered necklace so the collar design remains the focal point
Day 4 | Royal Blue
Celestial Peacock Diamond and Gemstone Oval Bracelet + Soft Love Peacock Diamond and Gemstone Dangle Earrings. Royal blue calls for jewellery with an equally regal presence. The Celestial Peacock bracelet combines diamonds and colourful gemstones in an ornate oval silhouette, while the Soft Love Peacock earrings echo the same peacock-inspired detailing. Together, they create a festive pairing that adds colour and character to the look.
Styling Tip: Pair with a royal blue silk saree or lehenga and opt for a sleek bun or pulled-back hairstyle to let the earrings shine.
Day 5 | Yellow
Rosalina Diamond Earrings + Rosalina Diamond Ring. Keep yellow day bright and effortless with the delicate Rosalina pairing. The diamond earrings add a subtle sparkle around the face, while the matching ring brings the same refined touch to the hands. Together, they create an elegant combination that complements the cheerful warmth of yellow without competing with it.
Styling Tip: Pair the duo with a yellow saree, anarkali or contemporary kurta set and add a few slim bangles for a subtle festive finish.
Day 6 | Green
Darshi Diamond And Gemstone Oval Bracelet + Shritika Diamond and Gemstone Pendant Necklace. For green day, bring together floral-inspired detailing and colourful gemstones. The Darshi bracelet adds a delicate touch to the wrist with its floral theme, while the Shritika pendant necklace creates a graceful focal point at the neckline. The combination keeps the look elegant while allowing the colour of the outfit to remain prominent.
Styling Tip: Style the pairing with a deep green saree or lehenga and keep your earrings minimal so the floral and gemstone details remain the focus.
Day 7 | Grey
Anahita Diamond Stud Earrings + Anahita Diamond Ring. Grey brings a more understated mood to the Navratri palette, making it the perfect canvas for diamonds. The Anahita studs offer a clean, refined touch around the face, while the matching ring carries the look through to the hands. Worn together, they create a polished combination that proves festive dressing can be subtle too.
Styling Tip: Pair the set with a silver-grey saree or contemporary grey lehenga and add metallic footwear or a clutch for a modern festive finish.
Day 8 | Purple
Hanshi Diamond And Fancy Gemstone Dangle Earrings + Jasika Diamond and Gemstone Pendant Necklace. Bring a touch of drama to purple day with colourful gemstones and statement silhouettes. The Hanshi dangle earrings add movement and sparkle, while the Jasika pendant necklace creates an elegant focal point around the neckline. Together, they lend a rich, festive finish to the deeper hue of purple.
Styling Tip: Pair the duo with a deep purple saree or lehenga and keep the neckline relatively clean to allow the pendant to stand out.
Day 9 | Peacock Green
Equipoise Diamond and Gemstone Gap Ring + Emeris Diamond Necklace. Close the nine-day celebration with the jewel tones of peacock green. The Equipoise ring brings together diamonds and colourful gemstones in a contemporary open design, while the Emeris diamond necklace adds a refined layer of sparkle around the neckline. The contrast of a modern ring with an elegant necklace makes this pairing feel festive while still being easy to personalise.
Styling Tip: Wear the pair with a peacock green saree or lehenga and add just one or two slim bangles. The mix of colour and diamonds is enough to finish the look.
Nine Days, Nine Colours: Style Your Navratri Looks With CANDERE BY KALYAN JEWELLERS
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