Ever seen a bird’s nest on a bracelet? Although sitting pretty at the entrance of ‘UE The Jewellery Expo’ , the delicate piece could have been easy too miss. But there is a sign beside it that reads: Winner at Cannes Film Festival 2013. And it makes one take a step closer to the glass encasing for a better look. “Those are dodo birds with their golden eggs,” JCS Jewel Creations MD, Arvind Katrela points out. Lightly adorned flowers and leaves finish the creation that has an earthy finish of bronze gold. Priced at `8.5 lakh, it’s easy to assume that the bracelet is made of gold. But Katrela interjects: “No ma’am, that’s oil paint.”
And so begins this reporter’s walk through the 19th edition of ‘UE The Jewellery Expo’ that kicked off on Friday afternoon. Organised by United Exhibitions, the three-day exhibition at the Chennai Trade Centre, Nandambakkam, offers a vast expanse of bejewelled bliss.
The range covers everything from kundan work to Indo-Turkish creations to swarovski pendants to necklaces made of the Abilone shell sourced from New Zealand. V K Manoj, Project-Director, United Exhibitions says, “Our main goal was to get pan-Indian jewellery from across the country under one roof.” He adds with a smile, “And this time, we have 45 renowned brands on display.” Other highlights are gold jewellery with French enameling, without wax jadau pieces, dosham-free Belgium diamonds with semi-precious and precious stones and even a six-inch high Ganesha pendant made of 22 karat gold.
Actor Varalakshmi Sarathkumar was present at the inauguration of the expo that is on till September 22.