Adorn - September - October 2018

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Traversing cultural chasms can sometimes pose a challenge. But not for Bernadette van Gelder of the Netherlands, whose love for all things Indian led her to build a solid edifice called Van Gelder Indian Jewellery in 1980 – to facilitate the buying and selling of ancient and historic jewellery pieces. She stumbled upon India’s rich and celebrated tradition of crafts while researching oriental jewellery. The connection with India was instant, as if serendipitously arranged by the universe. She visited India and fell in love with it and its people. She had an inherently gifted eye that could spot a rare Indian treasure.

Today, Van Gelder Indian Jewellery is recognised as one of the most renowned dealers of Indian jewellery across the world, and is run by Bernadette’s two daughters, Fleur Damman–van Gelder and Noëlle Viguurs–van Gelder. In this issue, Noëlle speaks about how she and her sister have taken their mother’s legacy forward. Read all about their fascinating story in Culture Connect.

Top dealers and auction houses from across the world dazzled connoisseurs at the Masterpiece London 2018 jewellery fair. Exceptional collectibles by Cartier, Boucheron, Faberge, Cindy Chao, Moussaieff, Grima, Chopard and more displayed unparalleled artistry. Turn to Shining Light for a glimpse of these masterpieces.

Our Singapore-based guest writer Richa Goyal Sikri decodes kundan-polki jewellery and clarifies common misconceptions of this important and popular jewellery category. The issue also features interviews of famous jewellery designers, including Neha Roongta in Creative Charisma, Priyadarshini Himatsingka in Fashion Forward, and Rahul Luthra in Style Expert.