Laksh Pahuja is an incredibly talented and award-winning jewellery designer and craftsman. More than just a designer, he is a true artist known for his highly creative, unique, and revolutionary ideas. His work beautifully blends stunning gemstones and unique materials with meaningful themes and current events. In this feature, he shares his inspiration, design philosophy, and amazing creations with JEWELBUZZ.

Design philosophy

My design philosophy is to think out of the box. When a designer commences to design, he or she will need to have an inspiration or a subject. My philosophy is to think out of the box, and think of a subject which is unique and unheard of. I always believe that if the subject is unique, the design will be unique. My motto is: Unique and original jewellery is my Laksh!

My inspiration

My work is sincere, honest, and created from the heart. It exists beyond market forces and commercial viability. I believe art should carry meaning and have the power to create impact rather than merely satisfy commercial expectations.

I continuously draw inspiration from current affairs and contemporary themes, integrating news and relevant topics into my artistic expression. Whether it is nationalistic subjects, sports, or other trending developments, I seek to capture the spirit of the moment. The closest analogy would be the topical campaigns of Amul Butter — timely, relevant, and reflective of society.

Materials that create the magic

I work with gold, silver, platinum, as well as non-precious metals. My palette extends from diamonds and precious gemstones to unconventional materials such as wood and glass. Ultimately, the choice of material is guided by the artist’s mood and the unique demands of each jewellery piece.

Balancing creativity and commercial viability

Balancing creativity and commercial viability. In India, there is an obsession with pricing and price points; no credit is given to the designers, and there is no appreciation of design’s contribution in the value of the product. I have learned the hard way by creating two separate lines of design –one which is commercial and pays the bills. The other one gives me freedom to chase my passion, my dreams—and create unique, original and exquisite jewellery.

Art and Technology

AI, or any technology, should be used as a tool—an enabler that helps artists accelerate repetitive and mechanical tasks. But AI can never replace the power of human creativity; it cannot replicate that intangible magic of original thought and emotion. For me, every piece I design embodies 95% human creativity and only 5% AI. Technology should serve the artist, not define the art. AI should be your slave—you should never become a slave to AI.

Art with purpose

I create art that goes beyond aesthetics; it serves a purpose and stands for a cause. Much of my work is rooted in humanitarian and social issues. This particular piece has been created to raise awareness about breast cancer — awareness that can truly save lives. For me, art is a fusion of passion and compassion.

Can India be a jewellery design powerhouse?

Exporting diamonds and jewellery to Dubai, the UK, the USA and other markets globally doesn’t serve the purpose of promoting Indian designers. And, most importantly, we are not exporting unique, haute couture jewellery – it is mostly fast-selling items aggressively priced. This does not help in promoting the talent and creativity of jewellery designers.

Trade associations also need to do much more to drive growth and excellence in jewellery design. While there have been encouraging initiatives in jewellery design education and designer awards, we still have a long journey ahead before India can establish itself as a global force in jewellery design.

Mentor and guide

I have always been willing to help and mentor aspiring designers. However, they must take the initiative to approach experienced designers and mentors with sincerity and openness. Equally important is the ability to acknowledge one’s weaknesses and shortcomings. Very often, ego prevents a designer from accepting mistakes or recognising areas that need improvement — and this can ultimately become their greatest downfall.

We have to educate designers on how to think originally. Young creative minds today have no role model to look up to, hence they get influenced by social media messaging and so-called “celebrity designers”. We have to educate them on how to think originally, and not to fall into the trap of plagiarism. Would like to share a very meaningful quote for the young minds: “It is better to fail in originality than to succeed in imitation.”