Designer Spotlight: Leah Alexandra's Trip to India
"One day I was selecting some emeralds and was invited for a multi-course lunch of homemade Indian food. It was better than any restaurant we went to of course!"
Can you tell us a little bit about going to India to source gems, and what that process looks like?
I have gem suppliers I’ve been working with for over a decade, so although it’s fun to walk around the "Johri Bazar” (market where a lot of the gem dealers have offices) I tend to stick with visiting my trusted contacts! I’ll often look at stones in rough form before it’s cut to make the best selections. If I have something specific I’m trying to source and a supplier doesn’t have it, they’ll work on getting it from another dealer for me to show me during my visit.
"Most of the time I will source a specific stone and then ideas and ultimately a collection will snowball from there."
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"I’ll often look at stones in rough form before it’s cut to make the best selections."
Do you already have a vision of what a piece or collection will be when shopping for stones? Or does the quest inspire the design?
Most of the time I will source a specific stone and then ideas and ultimately a collection will snowball from there. Working with some of the most beautiful materials on earth definitely makes that part of the job easier!
What was the most memorable part about your trip to India?
A lot of the gem cutting workshops are setup inside family homes within the city, for security reasons. One day I was selecting some emeralds and was invited for a multi-course lunch of homemade Indian food. It was better than any restaurant we went to of course!
Where are you off to next?
I just got back from Barbados, and Italy is next! Excited to be there during off season for a more authentic experience!
What is happening with those incredible sorbet sapphires?? Asking for a friend :)
Ooooh can’t wait to show you! We did some simple bezel rings with those, because the stone speaks for itself. But you’ll be pleased to hear we have some additional beautiful pink sapphire pieces in the works for Spring!
Thanks Leah! We're eagerly awaiting your next collection! Shop the Leah Alexandra Collection.
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