The benefits of creating jewelry in sterling silver
By Hannah Connorton www.nationaljeweler.com
Mumbai-based Sunjewels has been working with sterling silver for more than 10 years. With design and manufacturing taking place in house, the brand has complete quality control over its pieces and strives to create jewelry that’s desirable and, at the same time, affordable.
Sunjewels Director Kapil Nevatia spoke with National Jeweler about the inner workings of the company, why customers are interested in sterling silver and some unusual products they’ve created with the metal.
National Jeweler: Can you tell us about Sunjewels and the services you provide to the fine jewelry industry?
Sunjewels: The Sunjewels Group was established in 1985 by Shishir B. Nevatia. We supply diamond and colored stone jewelry set in silver or gold to leading volume retail chains and luxury brands in more than 20 countries.
The Sunjewels Group operates from three different factories in Seepz and several other locations worldwide. We employ 1,100 people and use cellular systems of manufacturing to ensure accurate quality and quick delivery of orders.
We are dedicated to superiority in jewelry design and manufacturing, which is the result of uncompromising passion for artisanship. Attention to the smallest detail is given to every piece at each and every stage of production. Our leading edge, in-house design, development and production studio boasts exceptional facilities.
We believe that our customers are discerning buyers of luxury items and value the impeccable quality of hand-fabricated jewelry. When a customer chooses Sunjewels, they choose excellence.
NJ: How does Sunjewels work in sterling silver, and why does the company choose to work with the metal?
SJ: Started as a gold and diamond jewelry company, we set up silver and diamond jewelry manufacturing more than 10 years ago. Considering the passion our design team shares for creating new forms, shapes and structures in jewelry, and with silver being a softer metal, we find it enjoyable. The price of the metal allows us to have bolder and bigger pieces, and yet make it accessible to everyone.
NJ: What are the benefits of creating jewelry in sterling silver?
SJ: Sterling silver is infinitely “designable.” It allows freedom of creativity in terms of texture, shape and dimension. There is an inherent beauty in sterling silver that is found in no other metal. Apart from it being a very affordable metal, sterling silver gives any design or stone the elegance it deserves. Its hues and shine give it an air of sophistication while keeping it at an affordable price. While fashion trends come and go, silver jewelry remains a classic addition to any wardrobe.
NJ: What is unique about Sunjewels’ designs in sterling silver?
SJ: Sunjewels has extremely strong technical capabilities allowing us to create silver items that go ‘beyond the normal’ for designer labels and retail networks. Our textures and styles range from classic to contemporary. We offer bold statement pieces as well as simple, elegant styles. Since our collection is manufactured at our own facilities, we are able to completely control the process to ensure global standards of quality.
NJ: Has Sunjewels faced any challenges when it comes to designing or working in silver?
SJ: Working with silver has been our expertise. We recently created a chess set and a kaleidoscope, which are both masterpieces and featured in several magazines. Creating these items in silver was definitely challenging due to the engineering, but we got the job done and several buyers worldwide have bid for these pieces.
NJ: Do you believe that consumers are interested in silver jewelry at this point in time?
SJ: During a time when the price of gold is on an upward trajectory and extremely bullish, jewelry savvy customers are discovering the value of owning quality silver at prices much lower than other precious metals. A rational consumer wants optimum worth for his investment; he wants the best thing at a good price. Silver jewelry perfectly fulfills this requirement because it is quite inexpensive and economical when compared to other jewelry like gold and platinum and, at the same time, looks sophisticated and stylish, thereby amplifying the demand for silver jewelry. The level of interest at Sunjewels’ tradeshow booths across the world reflects interest in sterling silver jewelry in general. Leading retailers and brands across the country have added our sterling silver collections to their existing luxury offerings with very positive results.
NJ: What do you think is the future of silver jewelry?
SJ: An extremely bright future for silver jewelry is one of the several reason to be extremely bullish about silver. I personally believe that with the current market trend, there is no investment opportunity in the world as golden as silver.
