02/11/2026
I’ve spent more than 23 years working with gemstones, but being here in Jaipur with Lulu, wandering the streets and meeting the people who have spent generations cutting and trading them, is something else entirely.
We were welcomed with open arms into the magnificent Gem Palace, jewellers to royalty, where Lulu casually tried on a necklace worth over $150,000!
From there, we headed into the gemstone alleyways, where tens of thousands of dollars worth of stones are traded every day from tiny satchels and folded parcels.
Once word got around that we were serious about gemstones, the parcels started opening like little bursts of sunshine!
I have to tell you, my heart still races every time a parcel of gemstones is opened in front of me. That little moment of anticipation before you see what’s inside! Of course, the trick is to remain cool, calm and collected and not let the traders see just how excited you are. Easier said than done!
Every colour imaginable, every quality, from beautiful natural gemstones to their synthetic counterparts. I’m absolutely fascinated by the mix of stones, the knowledge of the traders and the way business is done here. It’s a world away from our little atelier in Sydney.
After all these years in jewellery, I love that there’s still so much to discover. And getting to experience it all with my daughter makes it even better.
Although judging by the smiles on our faces, I don’t think we’re doing a particularly good job of playing it cool!
Kate x
