Sold! The diamond tales of Rahul Kadakia
Born and raised in Mumbai, Rahul Kadakia , international head of jewellery at Christie's, has been surrounded by jewels for as long as he can remember. 'It's in my blood,' he tells ET PanacheLuxury, noting that he's the fourth generation of his family in the jewellery business. 'My uncles still run a store in Bombay and my cousins continue the family tradition. I grew up with these stories.'Kadakia has overseen several landmark auctions, including the sale of the 'Winston Pink Legacy' (a 18.96-carat fancy vivid pink diamond acquired by Harry Winston for more than $50.3 million in 2018) and the 'Blue Belle of Asia' sapphire, which sold for a record $17 million in 2014.In a conversation, he recalls unforgettable diamonds that have sold — and explains why, in his view, fine jewels might be recession-proof.'We've handled quite a few remarkable pieces through the years — Mughal spinel beads, the Archduke Joseph Diamond, the Princie Diamond (named after the Prince of Baroda), the Wittelsbach-Graff Diamond, the Oppenheimer Blue. In 2011, we sold Elizabeth Taylor's jewels. It's been an incredible journey and I hope it's not over yet.''It's not easy. There are many locked doors, armed guards — layers of security. But when you finally get to the exhibition, and you're able to hold and examine a piece, it's a privilege.''The market is always influenced by global events. But with the suspension of tariffs and policy moves aimed at strengthening the [US] economy, we hope for a positive impact.''My mother insists I wear a diamond around my neck. She says, 'Rahul, you're in the diamond business — you must wear one.' So I do. It's small, but I wear it every day. And I believe it brings me luck.'
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Time of India
6 days ago
- Time of India
Sold! The diamond tales of Rahul Kadakia
Born and raised in Mumbai, Rahul Kadakia , international head of jewellery at Christie's, has been surrounded by jewels for as long as he can remember. 'It's in my blood,' he tells ET PanacheLuxury, noting that he's the fourth generation of his family in the jewellery business. 'My uncles still run a store in Bombay and my cousins continue the family tradition. I grew up with these stories.'Kadakia has overseen several landmark auctions, including the sale of the 'Winston Pink Legacy' (a 18.96-carat fancy vivid pink diamond acquired by Harry Winston for more than $50.3 million in 2018) and the 'Blue Belle of Asia' sapphire, which sold for a record $17 million in a conversation, he recalls unforgettable diamonds that have sold — and explains why, in his view, fine jewels might be recession-proof.'We've handled quite a few remarkable pieces through the years — Mughal spinel beads, the Archduke Joseph Diamond, the Princie Diamond (named after the Prince of Baroda), the Wittelsbach-Graff Diamond, the Oppenheimer Blue. In 2011, we sold Elizabeth Taylor's jewels. It's been an incredible journey and I hope it's not over yet.''It's not easy. There are many locked doors, armed guards — layers of security. But when you finally get to the exhibition, and you're able to hold and examine a piece, it's a privilege.''The market is always influenced by global events. But with the suspension of tariffs and policy moves aimed at strengthening the [US] economy, we hope for a positive impact.''My mother insists I wear a diamond around my neck. She says, 'Rahul, you're in the diamond business — you must wear one.' So I do. It's small, but I wear it every day. And I believe it brings me luck.'
Time of India
29-05-2025
- Time of India
Maharana Pratap Jayanti: Are banks closed or open today in your state on May 29, 2025?
State in which banks are closed? Live Events Significance of Maharana Pratap Jayanti Upcoming bank holidays in June Jun-25 6 7 11 27 30 Agartala • Ahmedabad Aizawl • • Belapur • Bengaluru • Bhopal • Bhubaneswar • • Chandigarh • Chennai • Dehradun • Gangtok • Guwahati • Hyderabad - Andhra Pradesh • Hyderabad - Telangana • Imphal • • Itanagar Jaipur • Jammu • Kanpur • Kochi • Kohima • Kolkata • Lucknow • Mumbai • Nagpur • New Delhi • Panaji • Patna • Raipur • Ranchi • Shillong • Shimla • • Srinagar • Thiruvananthapuram • Having a bank holiday in the middle week can disrupt your banking transactions. According to the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) Holiday Calendar 2025, banks are scheduled to close today, i.e., May 29, bank branches in one state will be closed on the occasion of Maharana Pratap Jayanti, while banks in other states will operate as usual on this day. It is important to note that online banking services will remain operational, allowing customers to conduct transactions to the Reserve Bank of India's state-by-state holiday calendar, banks in Shimla, Himachal Pradesh, will be closed today on Thursday, May 29, 2025, to commemorate Maharana Pratap Jayanti. This regional holiday commemorates the birth anniversary of Maharana Pratap Singh, a respected Rajput monarch known for his bravery and defiance of Mughal read: Bank holidays in June 2025: Check full list of state-wise bank holidays Although physical bank branches in Shimla are closed, online and mobile banking services remain fully operational, allowing customers across India to conduct digital transactions, schedule payments, transfer funds, and access essential services without interruptionMaharana Pratap Singh, born in 1540, was the 13th king of Mewar, a region in present-day Rajasthan. He is notable for leading the Rajput resistance against the expansionist policy of the Mughal Emperor Akbar, including the battle of Haldighati and the battle of Dewair. The birth anniversary is observed on the third day of the Jyeshtha Shukla phase in the Hindu calendar, which falls on May 29 in May month is almost over. Let us check bank holidays in the upcoming days. Being aware of the bank holiday schedule in June 2025 will help ensure smooth financial planning and avoid any inconvenience due to unexpected bank will be closed in will be closed in all states except Gujarat, Sikkim, Arunachal Pradesh and Kerala on June 7 for Bakri will be closed in Sikkim and Meghalaya on June 11 for Sant Guru Kabir will be closed in Orissa and Manipur on June 27 for the occasion for Ratha will be closed in Mizoram on June 30 for Remna N which is a also called as Peace day.
Hindustan Times
28-05-2025
- Hindustan Times
Month on, little hope for tourism revival in Valley
Over a month after the Pahalgam terror attack, there is little hope of revival of tourism across Kashmir as footfall continues to be negligible at various destinations. From thousands of tourists, it has come down to only a few hundred daily. Most hotels and guest houses are empty, and tourist destinations deserted. Stakeholders say the tourists trickling into the Valley prefer to stay in Srinagar. 'Last month's attack was death knell for our industry. On April 21, all 40 rooms of my hotel were booked and had advance bookings for the next four months. Within five days of the attack, every tourist left and now, the rooms are empty. There is no advance booking,' said Mohammad Shoiab, who runs a guest house at Shivpora. 'I don't have any hope for revival, at least this year,' he added. Sheikh Ashiq, former president of Kashmir Chamber of Commerce and Industries, said the tourism sector has been drastically affected by the attack. 'Its impact is on every aspect of our economy. It will take six months to one year for tourism to revive again,' he said. He also owns a hotel in Srinagar. He said that even in Srinagar, the markets look empty and there are barely any customers. The famous Dal Lake and the historical Mughal gardens, which were earlier crowded with tourists, are empty and shikaras are anchored, waiting for an occasional tourist. 'We used to earn ₹1,000 to ₹2,000 every day in April by ferrying tourists on the Dal Lake. Now, we earn ₹100 as there are very few tourists. We are hopeful that with the start of Amarnath Yatra, tourism activity will again pick up in Kashmir,' said Farooq Ahmad Budoo, as he sits in his anchored shikara on the shores of Dal Lake. Kashmir Hotels and Restaurants Owners Association president Gowhar Maqbool said situation hasn't improved yet. 'We are hopeful after successful Amarnath Yatra and efforts of UT and Centre, we can revive our tourism sector,' he said. Officials and tour operators say that when the Pahalgam attack took place, around 2 lakh tourists were in J&K. 'This time, we won't have more than a few thousand tourists and most of them prefer to stay in Srinagar,' said Mushtaq Ahmad, who has a fleet of cabs. 'If the situation does not improve, I will be forced to sell a couple of vehicles due to financial liabilities,' he said. Hotel Association Pahalgam president Mushtaq Pahalgami said all the local sight-seeing places and parks are closed. 'A small number of tourists have started visiting, but they return to Srinagar by nightfall. We are working hard to revive tourism by using our contacts and hope it will be back on track,' he said, adding that chief minister Omar Abdullah holding a cabinet meeting in Pahalgam and posing for pictures near Lider river will send a positive image around the country.
