An old building in a quarter of Jaipur, a cutting workshop inside. But what is a boy of twelve doing there? It was his own choice. At twelve, Dilip decided to start working to support his family. He joins as an apprentice and learns the emerald. Ten years at the wheel, on emerald alone: the stone is too fragile for the machine, and is held with bare fingers.
At twenty-two, his own workshop: cutting and polishing precious and fine stones. There he begins to pass on the craft: over a hundred people learn the lapidary's art from him.
At twenty-three, the lapidary becomes a jeweler. He turns to natural semi-precious stones, for their colors, and for the inclusions that sign each stone.
Pragati Maidan, New DelhiPhoto Reply.rajrewal, CC BY-SA 4.0
Gateway of India, Mumbai, 1995Photo Dan Lundberg, CC BY-SA 2.0His jewelry travels to the great Indian fairs: the India International Jewellery Show in Mumbai, and the gem and jewelry exhibition at Pragati Maidan in New Delhi.
October, an international show, and the decision to stay. Paris boutiques follow, Saint-Germain-des-Prés and the Marais: the collection is presented once and leaves.
The atelier settles in Nancy, where it still works today. Clients come to it from Luxembourg and further, looking for the one piece nobody else will wear.
The pieces leave the window for the runway: couture shows, the Paris fashion week, the red carpet of the Cannes festival. The maison opens to fashion.
The maison now speaks to an international audience: an online boutique able to serve it, and to ship anywhere in the world.
Précieux bijoux du monde
De Jaïpur à la Fashion-Week de Paris
The pieces leave the atelier for a small circle of partner boutiques. Each one chosen, like a stone.
20 rue Danielle Casanova, 75002
77 boulevard Beaumarchais, 75003
16 rue Beaumont, L-1219
Centre Saint-Sébastien, rue des Ponts, 54000
74 en Fournirue, 57000
1 rue de l'Église, Le Castellet Village, 83330
