Ganjam's jewellery collection among finest in India

Sixty odd craftsmen (Karigar) work at Ganjam's 22 karat Heritage collection workshop in Bangalore to create few of the finest collection in the country. Some of them have been serving the brand for 55 years.

Ganjam is a 125-year-old luxury jewellery brand with a presence in Bangalore, Mumbai, Delhi and Tokyo. Ganjam sells only handcrafted ornaments.

Craftsmen work at Ganjam's 22 karat Heritage collection workshop in Bangalore.

India is the world's largest consumer of the yellow metal, with the bulk of it going into ornaments.

"People are more aware today, being flooded with information from all corners," says Umesh Ganjam, Director at Ganjam, the 125-year-old luxury brand with a presence in Bangalore, Mumbai, Delhi and Tokyo.

Ganjam sells only handcrafted ornaments.

Gold is melted in the fire of Husk before put to shape at Jewel maker Ganjam workshop in Bangalore, Karnataka, India.

Craftsmen work at Ganjam's 22 karat Heritage collection workshop in Bangalore. Customer preference for legacy designs has seen a sudden increase. But these are sought only by those who can afford them, says Umesh Ganjam, Director at Ganjam.

Some of the aged tools used by craftsmen to curve the ornaments to perfection at Ganjam's 22 karat Heritage collection workshop in Bangalore.

Some of the aged tools used by craftsmen to curve the ornaments to perfection at Ganjams 22 karat Heritage collection workshop in Bangalore.

Expert hand lays the design in the gold plate at Ganjam's  workshop.

Craftsman works at Ganjam's 22 karat Heritage collection workshop in Bangalore. In the Addige (necklace), popular in south India, the ghandabherunda (double-headed eagle) pendant is now an important motif inspired by the insignia of the Mysore kings. Similarly, rose cut diamonds - a traditional cut with fewer facets and closer to raw diamonds in their appearance - are back in fashion. They were earlier popular during the Victorian and Nizam era.

A gold plate taking shape at Jewel maker Ganjam workshop in Bangalore, Karnataka.

A bangle goes through a polish at Jewel maker Ganjam's workshop in Bangalore, Karnataka.

Legacy designs do not come cheap. The chain gets about 20 per cent of its revenue from ornaments falling into this category.

Craftsman of Jewel maker Ganjam giving finishing touches to a heritage collection piece at the workshop in Bangalore, Karnataka. 

Ramaswamy, 78, has been crafting jewels for the last 52 years for Ganjam.