Top 5 shops for the Bangalore's jewellery buff

No woman can resist the allure of a piece of jewellery. There is nothing more beautiful, more elegant or more coveted than the perfectly-crafted piece of gold, encrusted with flawless gems. Gold will always be precious, diamonds are forever and jewellers will eternally be in business.

In Bangalore, the jewellers take their business very seriously, some having met the demands of their customers for many generations while others now joining them to get a stake of the market share. From wedding sets to contemporary platinum singles the jewellers have done it all. Here are city’s five most renowned jewellery houses.

C Krishnaiah Chetty & Sons has crafted masterpieces since 1869 and is the first name that comes to mind when you think of a jeweller in the city. Generations of Bangalore’s families have placed their trust on this name for anything in precious metal or stone. At its store on Commercial Street you will be awed by every kind of style, design and setting imaginable. One can also order and have a piece custom-made to one’s liking. In essence, there is nothing that Krishnaiah Chetty cannot do for you in that yellow metal.

With the Ganda Brunda—a two headed mythical bird representing royalty, craftsmanship and uniqueness—as its symbol, Ganjam Nagappa is a name to be reckoned with. Ganjam has served customers in the city since 1885 and with Kuaze Ogawa, a legendary craftsman, who collaborates actively with Ganjam, it produces exquisite and rare pieces of jewellery. It is also known to use only certified diamonds in its work and each piece comes with that guarantee. Haveli, bridal and heritage jewellery and much more are on display at Ganjam.

Kirtilal Kalidas & Co has the designs developed by its in-house design department, where an innovative and award-winning team of artists create the most exquisite designs. It has won awards from the World Gold Council and De Beers, proving the originality and sheer aesthetic beauty of every single piece it puts on its shelves. Established in the year 1939, Kirtilal Kalidas has enjoyed many years of patronage of the people of Bangalore, and is only getting better.

Bhima is a name that is not unfamiliar by any means. It secured itself a place in the jewellery market when it gave the term "pure gold" a new meaning with its attention to detail of every piece it crafts. At its showroom you will be mind-boggled with the array of choices laid out before you that includes bridal, antique, diamond, children's jewellery, jewellery for men, traditional Kerala jewellery and gemstone jewellery among many other unique collections.

And last but not the least, there is Malabar Gold, a trademark brand of Kerala that opened its first showroom outside the state here in 2005. Its jewellery ranges from traditional to trendy and is in tune with the latest designs sourced from Kolkata, Karwar, Mumbai, Rajkot, Singapore, Bahrain and Italy. Though it showcases a huge range of contemporary style, its focus remains firmly fixed on traditional jewellery collection in gold, platinum and diamond.

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