A New-Age Diamantaire Leads the Way in Redefining Diamond Cuts
The fire behind one of the prominent diamond crafting companies in India, Shivam Jewels, is fuelled by its people, its philosophy and of course the product—some of the finest cut diamonds in the world setting new standards.
Shivam Jewels: Crafting diamonds with passion, technique, and purpose
There is nothing that quite compares to an impeccably cut diamond. An innocent piece of carbon honed over millennia, expertly crafted to represent an elation of emotions. A promotion, a celebration of love, a poignant moment to mark a birth—the natural diamond has always been a keeper of memory. And the craftsmen behind them hold an equal value in respecting and preserving the memory. Like Shivam Jewels, who have slowly carved out a niche as a strong player in the diamond industry.
It was in 1995 when Ghanshyam Shankar established the business in a small corner of Surat. His humble beginnings are a powerful reflection of its prowess that sets them as a diamond crafter with a solid reputation as a trendsetter. Over the last few years, Shivam Jewels has become synonymous with trust and growth, always powered by its principles and values, never compromising on craftsmanship and innovation. Their various team members are deeply committed to balancing traditional methods with cutting-edge technology to transform nature’s miracles into sparkling diamonds. None of this would have been possible without the critical pillars that Shivam Jewels has been built on—the people, the product and their philosophy.
The Heart: People & Community
Shivam Jewels values craft, community and the passion of its people
Without the skill, a human touch, and personal perspectives, a product will simply always remain just a product. But Shivam Jewels has a different approach, setting them apart from their peers. As Priyal Shankar, Ghanshyam Shankar’s son and Principle Director, explains, “Growing up in this industry, I saw first-hand the value of teamwork and trust. My father always emphasised that every member of our family—and our team—contributes to our journey. Each diamond we craft does not just represent a product; it embodies countless hours of diligent craftsmanship by skilled artisans who treat every piece with care.” The culture that the Shankars have encouraged in the company emphasises the value of feeling connected, of working towards a goal collectively, empathetically, and collaboratively. “When we recruit, we’re not just hiring employees; we are welcoming them into our family,” shares Priyal. “This approach empowers our team to excel, knowing they are essential to our mission.” The company’s leadership, spanning multiple generations, exemplifies this commitment to its workforce, ensuring that every artisan is equipped with the skills needed to craft exceptional diamonds.
Building community, starting with their team members has always been at the core of Shivam Jewels thinking. They have prioritised giving back to society in four key areas education, healthcare, environmental conservation, and women empowerment. They have opened two schools in rural Gujarat, educating 3,000 children. Besides various healthcare centres, they also established a relief centre during the COVID-19 pandemic that helped various patients, operating kitchens providing free meals for more than 250 people daily. Community welfare extends to natural habitats too, where the Green Initiative had led to tree planting, reduction of plastic usage, awareness around conservation of natural resources, and solar power projects. “We have a big solar farm, to offset the energy usage of not only our crafting unit, but our global operations in Mumbai, New York, Dubai and Hong Kong. Through that big investment in solar, we want to be at least providing the energy we use as a clean energy back to the grid,” says Priyal. They also run educational programmes and have built hostels to empower women to be more self-sufficient. The company’s pillars and principles have been built upon to make sure they extend well beyond, to enable and empower people beyond the confines of office walls.
The Art: Product
“When I entered the diamond industry, I saw a lot of uniformity in how things were done. I aspired to buck that trend—to create diamonds that tell a story, that speak of the person behind their creation. It’s about cherishing each facet, each reflection of light.” The words of Ghanshyam Shankar ring loud and clear when it comes to defining the product that Shivam Jewels is so proud of. Each diamond is meticulously crafted, which goes beyond just adhering to global standards of quality and beauty.
When they first started crafting big-sized diamonds in 2012, a client was unhappy with their interpretation of a particular fancy-shaped diamond’s cut. However, instead of dismissing the feedback, they built on it, they got their then-top artisan and planner to dive deeper in that criticism and pushed them further into the art of fostering the shine of the diamond from that customer’s view. That moment made them realise the importance of innovation, of embracing newer ways to achieve exemplary light performance, to make sure to deliver something different. It led them to further train their existing team instead of hiring externally, when Covid struck, the demand for fancy-cut natural diamonds shot up, and their reskilled team members led the transformation with an added spirit of loyalty.
Craftsmanship here is not just about cutting and polishing stones, it’s about elevating it to a form of art. Priyal Shankar speaks of the technology and training that they have invested in, to envisage diamonds that shine brighter and that which become quick sale for us and our customers. The dedication to customer satisfaction has led the to company win the Excellence in Cut & Polished Diamonds award for five consecutive years at the Indian Gem and Jewellery Awards.
The Guide: Philosophy
Integrity, innovation and transparency—the values that guide Shivam Jewels It was Ghanshyam Shankar who created the map from the day of inception, along with his brothers and the next generations he got them to believe in doing business with the highest ethical standards. These ethics have formed the backbone of all company operations, from building relationships with customers to sourcing raw materials. Priyal Shankar encapsulates, “Customer feedback drives our innovation and growth. We’re not content with simply being good; we strive to be better. This has allowed us to adapt rapidly to changing market needs.”
Transparency is as much a cornerstone for Shivam Jewels, as is their stunning diamonds. Their commitment to craftsmanship, a family-forward culture, and a look towards the future sets them apart. They’re keen to march into the future while holding on to their roots, with innovations in cut and a streamlined diamond buying experience through their app. The mission still holds true: To advocate for natural diamonds while ensuring each stone reflects quality and craftsmanship. “Above all, what drives me is the legacy we’re building is that we’re not just creating products—we’re crafting experiences. Every diamond holds its own story, a testament to time, because while we may come and go, the diamond’s brilliance endures forever,” concludes Priyal Shankar.
