Diamonds in India’s stepwells

These architectural beauties are the inspiration for Titan’s new Samāvé collection

Climb down winding steps made of diamonds into a well of Indian craftsmanship — on your fingers! Who knew that our earthy stepwells could inspire a new twist in the world of diamond jewellery? Zoya, the diamond boutique from the House of Tata, has come up with a setting inspired by these architectural wonders found in the arid western states of India, which, they claim, is the first of its kind worldwide. The intricate and challenging ‘Zoya Baoli Setting’ is patent pending. The Samāvé collection (created with the new setting) is underscored by its clean lines. “The visual vocabulary interprets the architectural elements of ancient stepwells [think Rani Ki Vav in Gujarat, and the Chand Baori in Rajasthan] into a unique design language, to deliver a versatile selection of rings and earrings, neck pieces and bracelets,” says Revathi Kant, Chief Design Officer at Titan. The signature setting is a demonstration of technical mastery, she adds. “The stones are cut with precision by Zoya’s master craftsmen to tease out their lustre. They are then placed at an unusual incline to match the geometry of the outer square, while balancing the inequities of natural stones. The angle and placement of the baguettes in an unending loop gives rise to a continuous stream of light, structurally designed to create a play of light and shadows.”