Kanjimull & Sons Jewellers: Fourth Generation of a 150-year-old Royal Jewelry Business

Fourth Generation of a 150-year-old Royal Jewellery Business Kanjimull & Sons Jewellers – a business that was founded in late 1800s with a store in Chandni Chowk (Old Delhi) has now been taken over by the leadership in the fourth generation. Gaurav Khanna, who was always exposed to the jewellery business since his early years, marked the new leadership by starting his own store of Kanjimull & Sons Jewelers in 2005 at the Square One Mall in Saket.

Gaurav came with a modern vision suitable for the modern world for this 150-year-old legacy business by introducing an E-boutique and coming up with designs that were bolder and younger – something that appealed to the age group of under 60. Gaurav says, “I learnt it all from my father – about gems, it’s qualities and understanding our niche clientele. However, taking over a 150-year-old business that is a legend on its own is a massive responsibility. Family business usually corrodes till the third and fourth generation. I had to ensure we survive in these dynamically changing times and reinvent ourselves.”

Kanjimull & Sons Jewellers now organizes private exhibitions in the USA twice a year. The first selection usually happens online and then selected pieces are on display for potential buyers. These exhibitions are invite-only to protect the identity of the buyers and maintain discreteness. The jewellers also endorse and encourage buyers to get international certifications for expensive gemstones even if it is an additional cost to the client.

“Jewellery and artifacts that we sell are not mere ornaments, they are also an investment. Certifications ensure that the true value of the pieces are known and kept as a proof.” Explains Gaurav. He says that the jewellery business is getting increasingly tough because the buyers have limited information and there are ample imposters in the market to rob them off. He recalls how because of sharp increase in the prices of untreated gemstones such as rubies and sapphires, treated rubies and sapphires had filled the market. They had a real hard time to educate the client about the treatments and explain why there was a price difference between the two. Eyeing towards the future, Gaurav concludes “I see Kanjimull & Sons Jewellers focusing more on high pedigree gems with international certifications of origin and treatments. We have always catered to the best of the world with the best of the gems and I intend to continue that. It has been proven that high pedigree gem and jewellery appreciate far more than real estate. I see a lot of interest pouring in there in coming years.”