An Interview with Jewelry Designer Vishakha

November 19, 2015

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by Mabel Gago, Contributing Style Editor – Spain[/x_text][/x_column][x_column bg_color=”” type=”3/4″ style=”padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; “][x_text]During my adventures in search of new pieces and talents, there’s one person who has won me over in many aspects: Vishakha, a young entrepreneur based in Jaipur, India.

Vishakha is the founder and jewelry designer behind the brand Gharaz, with designs and pieces that immediately catch your attention. Each piece has a story behind it full of hard work, culture and heritage. And the result is a unique, timeless treasure. This alone is enough of a reason for you to get to know Vishakha and her work.

[x_custom_headline type=”center” level=”h2″ looks_like=”h4″ accent=”true”]The Interview[/x_custom_headline]

Mabel: Vishakha, can you share the story behind how you discovered your passion as jewelery designer?

Vishakha: I am 4th generation in a jeweler family. My parental surname is “SARAF” which means dealer of gold and silver jewelry. My name itself is an inspiration to continue in the business. I have seen the creativity in jewelry since birth so I got inspired to join this business.

Mabel: What are the most significant values and advice you have collected from your family’s business?

Vishakha: I have learned to treat people with politeness, as well as to serve my customers on time and complete my orders on a timely basis without compromising quality. The best advice I have gotten is that we need to have a positioning in the marketplace that is unique and we have to think beyond everyone’s imagination.

Mabel: The heritage of your culture is infused into your pieces. Can you translate this into your idea of what jewelry should be?

Vishakha: The best example from my jewelry which relates to Indian heritage tradition is my hand carved jewelry pieces. I get a lot of my ideas from my tradition, Rajatshan’s heritage of architecture, and in the villages of Rajasthan.

Mabel: You’re an artisan. Can you describe how an idea comes to you and how you select the raw materials and transform them into unique jewelry?

Vishakha: I take all my ideas from old tradition, historical stories in which there were kings, queens, warrior princesses, gods, goddesses – all are my inspiration. I select all the pieces on my own by keeping quality a factor in my mind, put them all together and assemble them to make a unique piece for every special person, every time.

Mabel: How is being a young entrepreneur girl based in Jaipur, India? Any advice to those who have found their true passion but are afraid to follow it?

Vishakha: It feels great to become the one you always wanted to be. I wasn’t sure how I would become a young entrepreneur, but it was always my dream to be the one who people admire. Even though I wasn’t at all artistic, I learned how to sketch and look at where I am today. My advice to future entrepreneurs — if you want to be something, you have to take a step for yourself . Once you have decided to do so, no one can dare to stop you from being successful and trust me, you are going to be proud of yourself !

Mabel: The jewelry as a gift has a wonderful story behind it. Can you share it with us?

Vishakha: Gifting jewelry is an old tradition in India; in marriages, people prefer to gift jewelry. Each and every piece of jewelry says something. As the saying goes a “Book is Judged by its Cover”, the same can apply here — why can’t jewelry also be judged by its box? So we had an innovative idea and added a new collection of jewelery boxes. One of our clients gifted a piece of jewelry to her daughter in our handcarved jewelery box at her wedding and it was so mesmerizing to see that affection and love in that gift.

Mabel: Your designs looks luxurious, modern, and timeless. Are these the main features jewelry should have?

Vishakha: A jewelry piece should have a lot of qualities, likewise some of these qualities I have maintained in my jewelery.

Mabel: You are very active online. As a business woman, can you explain the importance of having an online presence?

Vishakha: To be a successful business person, one needs to be in contact with people 24×7 and to respond on time. Online presence is mandatory not only for being in contact but also for promoting our business and leting people know about our product and be responsive to their needs and wants.

Mabel: Have you ever thought of designing for men?

Vishakha: Yes I have thought about it as jewelery not only make women look good and glorious, but also as a style factor for men as well. We are working on a men’s jewelry line with agate belt buckles and soon we are planning to expand into broader categories.

As you can see, behind any piece is a captivating story and a wonderful person who can bring us a lot of inspiration.

Don’t forget to visit Vishakha’s brand Gharaz to see more of her beautiful designs.