Meandering through the alleys of the land of Charminar after entering the country from abroad, yearnings for the ubiquitous ‘Pearl’ in the land of sea, sun and sand - Goa, perhaps end in Margao.
Simply because, for the pearl, it is a long journey all the way from from Japan, China to the hub of the pearl industry, Hyderabad, as the prized possesion enters the guarded safes of Goans.
Idiosyncrasies apart, the cynosure of all eyes has literally come a long way! From the hub of the Indian pearl trade, this has traversed the distance to be in the vortex of yet another commercial hub of a State - this time in Margao.
Located on the first floor of Reliance Atria in Pajifond-Margao, is ‘Bhagya Laxmi Hyderabadi Pearls’ - a shop which is distinguished by its uniquenesss, as it is by the range of pearls and other accessories it has in store for Goans.
For J Mahender Reddy who has been through the roller coaster ride in the ruthless world of business, pearls are a way of life. “This is the sole shop selling Pearls (Moti). Others in competition are gold selling shops,” adds Reddy. To that extent, his trade has not faced the heat of local jewellery shops and national chains which have also set shop in Goa. “Many jewellery shops in Goa do not deal in pearls,” he informs. “The many shops which have set foot on Goan soil essentially deal with gold jewellery,” he states.
As the pearl enters India from abroad, it is processed in Hyderabad. “A miniature hole is drilled in the pearl after which it is divided in accordance with the quality and size,” Reddy explains. The pearl business has proliferated in the city of Charminar - Hyderabad! “Over there in Hyderabad, around 800 to 1000 pearl shops dot that city’s landscape,”Reddy informs. “The main market for pearl is in Hyderabad, both in terms of wholesale and retail,” adds Reddy.
Essentially, Bhagya Laxmi Hyderabadi Pearls showroom stocks fresh water pearls. “These are sourced from Japan and China from where they are exported to Hyderabad. Oysters embedded in sea bed are injected and pearls are sourced from them,” says Reddy as he explains the standard formula of the pearl trade. The pearl so sourced is then polished and processed in Hyderebad before it is ready for its final sale. “The shine, colour and the overall texture of fresh water pearl improves over time. Sea pearls are not sold anymore,” he claims.
25 years ago, from the alleys of Hyderabad, Hyderabadi pearls first set shop in Goa’s capital city - Panaji. However, it has been three years since Reddy set up his showroom in Margao.
Pearls are sold in the range from Rs 40/50 to Rs 1,000 per gram. On display at his outlet are rice shaped and round shaped pearls, oval pearls, etc. “Round shaped pearls are priced higher than their other counterparts,” informs Reddy. “Round pearls are used in gold ornaments, especially finger rings, necklaces and lockets.”
With astrology also fast gaining traction among Goans, pearls find a ready-made market for their use in finger rings. Such rings are ready-made at Hyderabadi pearls and are sold anyhwere in the price range of Rs 700 to Rs 2,000 depending upon the size of the pearl.
“The Goan customer usually hunts for pearls, corals and ruby and emerald necklaces and bangles,” Reddy informs. “Corals are sourced from Taiwan and not from Italy as is the general impression. As against the Italian coral, the Taiwanese coral is better in quality,” explains Reddy. “Corals are priced anywhere between Rs 90 per gram to Rs 300 per gram,” he adds.
Tuned to his unique tastes in gold as well as different patterns which he usually gets made-to-order from his traditional goldsmith, Reddy claims to have imbibed this in his trade. “I can also make jewellery as per customers’ demand,” informs Reddy. Most of his items in jewellery are ready-made while some others are custom-made in accordance with customers’ demand. He also undertakes re-threading of old necklaces, bangles and bracelets. Designer necklaces with pearls as side-pieces appearing prominently in such necklaces are sold in the price range extending from Rs 5,500 to Rs 13,000.
His clientele is not limited just to the walk-ins. It has expanded beyond that. “Many Goan goldsmiths visit us for their requirements while some others also purchase directly from us,” claims Reddy. Apart from his forte in pearls trade, he also deals with American diamond jewellery such as real ruby, emerald and necklaces and bangles. Necklaces include fashion pink and green jade
stone necklace in addition to pure jade necklace.
