Butani's Ingenious Wonders

Exquisite elements make for organic creations that bring Butani’s craftsmanship and artistry to the fore. The brand’s distinctive style and creative harmony tie together the jeweller’s Indian heritage and Asian aesthetics.

The Hong Kong-based haute joaillerie brand recently celebrated its 40th anniversary. A capsule collection – unveiled at Basel world earlier this year to mark the forty-year milestone – featured nine exquisitely handcrafted pieces that boldly embrace the brilliance of diamonds, while highlighting the subtle flowing lines and gentle drops. Among the show-stealers were opulent pieces that brilliantly distilled the beauty of fancy yellow diamonds.

- Smitha Sadanandan

With their roots in gem-trading, Butani’s huge repertoire of precious gems and diamonds becomes apparent in its artful design choices. Papu Butani moved from India to Hong Kong, when he was very young. After his father passed away, Papu landed himself a job – that of selling loose diamonds and gemstones. It so happened that a friend asked Papu to create bespoke jewellery for his daughter’s wedding. Encouraged by the request, Papu designed a special necklace and earring suite. His friend was thrilled at the final pieces. This prompted Papu to gradually chart his own course and create jewellery. Soon after, at a trade show, he met an influential client from the Middle East who bought all those lovely pieces.

As his confidence in design and artistry grew, Papu digressed from gem-trade. He began to craft high jewellery and, by the late ’70s, had set up his own company – Butani.

The dedication to perfection enabled the brand to gain a foothold in the crowded jewellery scene. Making personalised handcrafted jewellery for noted retail houses got their work noticed, and with the use of high-quality diamonds and gemstones, Butani pushed the envelope of high jewellery. The brand counts among its clients, members of royal families and discerning jewellery enthusiasts across the world.

Meanwhile, Butani was doing lucrative business in the Caribbean Islands, and it seemed like a logical step to open a store in the region. So, in the ’80s, the brand opened its first boutique in Sint Maarten.