Sometimes, what you see is not what actually is – it’s almost maya (illusion). Visiting Studio Renn’s fifth chapter of the [Prime]al event in Ballard Estate, Mumbai, offered a complete, delightful sensory experience. The avant-garde collections evoked awe, leaving one with just one word: ‘awesome’.
Abstract ideas came alive through the unusual use of emeralds, antique- and rose-cut diamonds, and pearls set in a never-seen-before way. Pear-shaped emeralds looked like custom-cut navettes thanks to the textured metal that played on light to extend their form. Then there were pearls that sat precariously but firmly on spiked edges of earrings and rings – all from the Cacti collection. The use of old-cut and rose-cut diamonds in ear climbers was an absolute delight, while the spider brooches conceptualised with a flat, translucent base of emeralds and a diamond-set body, showcased the ingenious ways in which emeralds could be used.
Rahul Jhaveri, Co-Founder of the globally recognised brand Studio Renn, has a penchant for turning the mundane and ordinary or abstract concepts into alchemical reinventions.
Gems and materials merged the old and new, conventional and unconventional, with special cuts of diamonds, old-world techniques, discarded wood, acid treated concrete, and gold in raw, matt black and reflective finishes, spanning across distinct collections – Cacti, Godna, Swarm, Wood, and Vaadlo, worn by some of India’s nomadic communities.
Studio Renn’s annual showcase in Mumbai was held ahead of its upcoming presentations at Salon Art & Design NYC and NOMAD Abu Dhabi from 4 to 8 November 2026.
Founded in 2018 by Rahul and Roshni Jhaveri, the Bombay-based jewellery design brand explores concepts and perspectives, translating ideas and emotions into fine jewellery.
What began as a study of indigenous arts over six years ago, [Prime]al has evolved into an ongoing exploration of narrative through abstraction. Ideas of sustenance, fertility, protection, creation myths, and shifting perceptions of time and space are distilled into simple forms and patterns through the Studio’s lens.
“What started as curiosity has become integral to the Studio’s design language, continuing to inform how we approach ideas, materials and form,” says Rahul Jhaveri.
In its latest chapter, the Studio explores antique-cut diamonds, emerald beads, pear and cabochon shapes, and pearls within the contemporary language of [Prime]al.
“These annual shows have become an important part of our practice. They give us a moment to bring new work together, reflect on how our ideas are developing, and share that process with our audience,” Roshni Jhaveri, Co-Founder.
At Studio Renn, the familiar becomes unfamiliar, the ordinary extraordinary, and what you see is only the beginning of what you perceive.