MARWAR - the magazine that inspires Excellence

Creativity, panache and a unique style make Bina Goenka , and her concept brand redefine the term haute jewellery. At the launch of her swanky new store in Mumbai, Marwar finds out the yardsticks that determine modern design and craftsmanship

Entering the Bina Goenka flagship store at the Grand Hyatt's plush mall in the suburbs of Mumbai transports you to another world altogether. It's a world of exquisite diamonds, dazzling rubies and shimmering emeralds, crafted and moulded into prefect and mesmerising shapes. These alluring creations displayed in the shop windows and glass cabinets reveal the inimitable style and talent of the creator — Bina Goenka.

Hailing from a family reputed in the jewellery manufacturing and exporting business, Bina was initially not too excited about taking up jewellery designing as a career. She chose a completely different route and pursued law instead. “To be honest, I wasn't seriously interested in jewellery making as a career,” she says candidly. “I had been designing small artefacts and gifts since I was young but didn't look at it as a business. It was just something I enjoyed and mostly designed for friends and family on request. For me the decision to be a lawyer was well thought out. There were already a lot of lawyers in my family and it seemed like the most feasible option.”

Bina went onto to complete her law degree. Later she got married and was busy playing the part of a homemaker to perfection; never did it occur to her to pursue designing. But the inevitable soon happened. “I guess you could call it destiny. After my kids grew up and went abroad, I didn't know what to do with all the free time on my hands. And then it all fell into place. I thought, why not give designing a shot?” explains Bina.

Thus the journey started. She soon began to take an in-depth interest in the art of jewellery design. “I would call designing an “art” because it involves such a high level of creativity and craftsmanship. Even though I didn't take any formal course or training, I wasn't apprehensive. Since my husband was into the jewellery business, I had his factory where I could get hands-on experience. I just observed the way the workers worked and educated myself about their technique and craft.”