Celebrity Indian jewelry designer Farah Khan Ali counts Bollywood’s A-listers and CEOs of huge companies as her everyday clientele. The woman behind the brand Farah Khan Fine Jewelry, Khan is a renowned gemologist, who graduated from the Gemological Institute Of America, Santa Monica, CA. Her designs have been worn by international celebrities like Beyonce and Serena Williams.

As daughter of the legendary Indian actor Sanjay Khan and elder sister to Suzzane Khan(ex-wife of Bollywood heartthrob Hrithik Roshan), Khan is not new to the world of glamor and showbiz.

Khan’s designs speak volumes about her creativity and craftsmanship. She confesses her love for diamonds as they are “indestructible and are used in jewelry to commemorate love, marriage and celebrations, thus making each one of these emotions symbolically indestructible and forever.”

An interview with Khan reveals more about making the right and intelligent choices in jewelry and the woman of substance that she is.

How much time does it take for an idea to be conceived and executed into a lovely piece of jewelry?

Each of my pieces are inspired through my experiences and my interpretation of those experiences in my life. My inspirations can be from just about anything that captivates my imagination and spurs me to create a 3-dimensional object of beauty from an inanimate thought which could be inspired by art, architecture, nature or even a beautiful philosophy. Usually a jewelry piece takes three to six months from concept to execution as most of my pieces are one of a kind pieces that are crafted laboriously.

What are your hobbies?

I am very much into fitness so any kind of activity, be it lifting weights or pilates or swimming is a hobby with me. Besides that I love to sketch and can spend hours sketching. On flights I end up reading and otherwise I love interacting on social media via Instagram, Twitter and Facebook. Taking pictures because I love the way the camera can capture images in a way one may not see it otherwise.

Tell us something about your upcoming collections.

My new collection is a bridal necklace collection with many different necklines and gemstones both in only diamond and only color. Am also launching a new brand Farah Khan Amore that will be more like a pret fun collection with stackable rings, earrings, ear cuffs, pendants, amulets, anklets, bracelets, etc. This collection will be launched in February and will be available online as well as some retail stores in India. In January 2015, we are showcasing our pieces in Vicenza at the Vicenza Oro show in Italy among 12 other international designers who have been invited to showcase their line of jewels.

What is the priciest piece you created till date?

I have designed many expensive pieces, however there was this one emerald diamond necklace set that I designed that had the most breathtaking Columbian Emeralds in it. The necklace comprised a 92 carat emerald-cut emerald and the earrings had 54.45 cts of emeralds. The stones were exceptionally transparent, beautiful and rare, it was one of the most expensive pieces I designed.

What is your personal style?

I believe in dressing chic. I tend to wear less of prints and more monotones as I like my jewelry to stand out. Also, I like wearing one or two pieces of jewelry that make a style statement so that it is more effective. I like to mix and match luxury brands with high street brands to create my own individual style statement.

Your relationship with superstar Hrithik Roshan, have things changed post his split with your sister Suzanne?

Some bonds transcend time. My relationship with Hrithik has always been more like a brother-sister one and even though my sister is no longer married to him, he will always be the father of her sons and my brother. We never hung out too much before and neither do we hang out as much now but whenever we meet, the feeling is warm and full of love. He will always be family to me.

Any tips and advice on buying the best quality precious gemstones?

When buying precious gemstones do keep color, cut clarity and luster in mind. In diamonds, it is the 4 Cs (Color, Cut, Clarity and Carat weight) that command the price. In precious colored gemstones, it’s usually the color, clarity, luster and cut that commands the price. Always opt for stones that have a higher transparency versus only color in precious colored gemstones because it is the way that light reflects a gemstone that makes it more appealing to the wearer. Also do ask for certified stones in both diamonds and precious gemstones such as emeralds, rubies and tanzanites, etc. The laboratories that certify them should be well-reputed ones. It is a common practice that most emeralds are oiled and rubies and sapphires heated and this does affect the price. Colored gemstones are rare to find in pairs or lookalikes so when you do find one that matches it will usually be a bit more higher in price were you to buy one only. The larger the gemstones they get more rare, so command higher prices as the availability is limited.

Any tips on jewelry care?

Always store each piece separately in small zip lock bags or individually in their pouches or boxes. Do not store jewelry pieces one on top of the other as you could scratch the metal or damage the gemstones. To clean jewelry use toothbrush and tooth paste and always cover the sink before you start cleaning. Better though to take all jewelry for cleaning to your jeweler once a year to check if the prongs are tight enough to hold the stones or have become loose due to everyday wear and tear. Do not spray perfume on pearls as they damage the pearl. Store opals in moist conditions as it may dry out and avoid storing jewelry in direct sunlight.

Any social cause close to your heart?

I believe strongly it is important to do charity and give back to society whatever one can do. In the past as a brand we have been associated with the Make a Wish Foundation for cancer-afflicted children and also Swades Charity Foundation for upliftment of rural India. In the UAE, we have been associated with the Pink Caravan, a Pan UAE Breast cancer awareness initiative. This year we plan to associate ourselves with the Smile foundation’s charitable auction event for the girl child.

What advice would you give to beginners who wish to pursue a career in jewelry designing?

The best advice is to know and ask themselves why they want to join it. Is it the glamor associated with the profession or their passion that makes them want to create that draws them to this industry? Also to think out of the box and break barriers for anything is possible if you want it to happen. Rome wasn’t built in a day so take your time and get all the experience you can while you are learning the career. Look, learn, absorb and create.

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