The Heart and Craft of Diamonds: Dr. Pratap Madhukar Kamath

Dr. Pratap Madhukar Kamath, Managing Director of Abaran Timeless Jewellery, upholds the brand’s ethos of customer-centricity through personal interactions with clients.

“I like to share stories with our customers—how the jewellery was created, how the gemstone was formed. It adds to the allure of the piece they take home,” says Dr Pratap Madhukar Kamath, Managing Director of Abaran, believing that jewellery is not just about adornment but about the connection and history it carries.

A Legacy Carved In Time, With Natural Diamond Jewellery

Abaran remains deeply rooted in tradition and legacy. “We have a rich heritage of working with natural diamonds since 1935. Back then, we were known as Neo Mart Jewellery, reflecting the British influence that was common in the pre-Independence era,” Pratap shares. As the store was passed down from his grandfather to his father, it was rebranded as Abaran in 1979. “My father wanted a more Indian name, so he placed an advertisement in the newspapers, inviting people to suggest names. He ultimately chose Abaran, which means jewellery in Sanskrit, as it resonated with him for its traditional and all-encompassing essence.”

Three generations of the Abaran family, carrying forward a legacy of craftsmanship, tradition, and excellence.

A Tradition Built on Personal Touch

Pratap’s philosophy of customer-centricity finds roots in the time when buyers would purchase diamonds and insist on having them set in their presence. The brand’s karigars (master artisans) would visit customers’ homes, spending hours meticulously setting each piece, returning the jewellery at the end of the day, and coming back to complete the work. “Over time, we earned their trust, and they began leaving their pieces with us,” recalls Pratap, who believes in working closely with designers and merchandisers to bring customers’ dream designs to life. “We’ve always focused on design at all our stores, and that’s how we have grown,” Pratap says.

Abaran unites traditional craftsmanship with modern modular design to create natural diamond heirlooms for every generation.

This deep understanding of customer preferences and the enthusiasm for personalisation is why Pratap makes it a priority to spend five to six hours on select days at the store, personally consulting with clients. “Spending time interacting helps me place the customer first. More than that, it gives me new perspectives on diamonds. I don’t believe in hard selling diamonds but forming relationships with them and the customers,” he shares.

Beyond Beauty: The Ethics of Natural Diamonds

For Pratap, true awareness of natural diamonds goes beyond their sparkle and affordable luxury—it includes understanding sustainability and ethical sourcing. Recently, a couple brought their daughter to shop for her engagement ring and jewellery when the young woman raised a concern about the environmental impact of diamond mining. “I explained to her that for every acre of mining space, major natural diamond companies contribute nearly a hundred times that area in conservation efforts, creating sustainable ecosystems for their employees and surrounding communities. Moreover, lab-grown diamonds require an enormous amount of energy to produce, whereas natural diamonds have already been formed over millions of years. She was immediately convinced,” he says.

While master karigars at Abaran preserve the tradition of meticulous handcrafting, the staff attentively learn the story behind each natural diamond.

Pratap highlights a shift toward natural diamonds from all-gold jewellery, driven by increased awareness and affordability. “Thirty to forty years ago, diamonds were seen as exclusive to the elite, when limited information and exposure kept them out of reach. Today, global influence has made wearable diamond jewellery the norm,” he remarks. For him, jewellery is the greatest expression of joy, especially for special occasions. Wearers now seek jewellery they can enjoy daily rather than securing in lockers. “Wedding jewellery holds a deep sentiment for everyone, and they want future generations to adorn their heirloom pieces,” Pratap says. This has led to the rise of modular jewellery—versatile designs where a statement necklace can transform into a pendant, earrings, or a ring. “Our challenge is to achieve the perfect balance between aesthetics and cost. We must constantly innovate while striking that fine equilibrium between price and size,” Pratap says about the evolving trend that demands agility in aesthetics.

Dr. Pratap Madhukar Kamath personally inspects every detail, ensuring Abaran’s jewellery meets the highest standards of quality.

An Everlasting Romance with Natural Diamonds

For Pratap, the fascination with natural diamonds is not just professional—it’s personal. His love for these rare gems dates back to when he first saw one at the age of five and was mesmerised by its mystique and allure. Years later, while studying gemology in New York, his appreciation deepened as he learned about the art and science behind diamonds. As for his own first diamond purchase? “The first diamond I ever received was when my wife, Preeti, gifted me one when we married in 2002. Likewise, that was the first time I gifted someone a natural diamond too,” Pratap smiles.

Abaran’s jewellery designs bring everyday elegance to life.

His passion, however, goes beyond sentiment—it is rooted in an enduring sense of wonder. “This company has been an integral part of me since childhood. But when I learnt that it’s the hardest known substance, my fascination only grew. The charm and allure excite me even today. And the enormity of natural diamonds—the fact that they were formed millions of years ago—still inspires awe in me,” he reflects.