As the world turns its gaze to the ruby—the radiant birthstone of July—Arayian Jewellery unveils a capsule collection in partnership with Gemfields that celebrates the scarlet stone in all its fiery symbolism. Featuring rubies ethically sourced from Mozambique’s Montepuez mine, each piece blends heritage craftsmanship with bold, modern design.
Timed perfectly with Ruby month, Arayian Jewellery presents a striking collaboration with Gemfields—an ethical showcase of Mozambican rubies crafted into heirloom-worthy designs.
Creative Director Ayushi Khandelwal, who helms the Bangkok- and Hong Kong–based atelier, speaks exclusively to Solitaire International ahead of the collection’s launch in July.
Your new capsule collection with Gemfields arrives just in time for Ruby month. What inspired the creative direction behind it?
At Arayian, we source our rubies directly from Gemfields’ rough gemstone auctions, which allows us to curate perfectly matched layouts—something that’s both rare and incredibly challenging to achieve. This capsule collection is a celebration of that possibility. It showcases the rubies in their finest form, where the design honours the natural beauty and individuality of each gem.
Rubies have a long legacy, yet the pieces feel very contemporary. How did you balance timelessness with modernity?
Rubies have always been revered by royalty for centuries and cherished as heirlooms for generations. At Arayian, we embrace that legacy while designing for the present. Each piece in this collection blends modern sensibilities with a classic aesthetic, making it relevant today and enduring for tomorrow. The design philosophy centres around highlighting the natural beauty of the rubies, with diamonds carefully chosen to complement and frame them—never overpower. The result is fine jewellery that feels both current and eternal.
The collection spans bold necklaces, chandelier earrings and more. Was there a particular type of woman or moment you envisioned while designing?
Absolutely. We envisioned women who are confident, expressive, and unafraid of standing out. These pieces are meant to be worn for significant moments, whether that’s an intimate celebration or a red-carpet evening. Each design is a conversation starter, an extension of the wearer’s presence.
Is there a hero piece in the collection that you personally feel most connected to?
The piece I feel most connected to is the Scarlet Web necklace with oval-shaped rubies and diamond accents. I’m proud of how the perfectly matching rubies are arranged alongside brilliant and fancy-shaped diamonds. Up close, each section is unique, but from a distance, the whole design aligns beautifully. It took about six months to complete—a true labour of love.
The symbolism of rubies—protection, passion, and prosperity is powerful. How did it shape the design process?
The symbolism of rubies shaped the tone of the collection. Each piece was designed with intention, reflecting the strength and emotion these gems have carried for centuries.
How do you see coloured gemstones like rubies fitting into today’s jewellery landscape?
Rubies are having a renaissance. Today’s collectors are looking for individuality, storytelling, and soul in their pieces. Coloured gemstones offer that in a way diamonds often don’t. Rubies, especially, bring emotional depth and a timeless glamour that feels both classic and current.
What made Gemfields the ideal partner for this capsule?
Gemfields shares our uncompromising values when it comes to transparency, responsibility, and excellence. Their commitment to responsible mining and community upliftment in Mozambique was deeply aligned with what we believe at Arayian. It felt like a natural, purpose-driven partnership.
We believe true luxury is conscious. Our clients are discerning not only about design but also about how and where their jewellery is made. Gemfields’ traceable sourcing and responsible mining practices resonate with our promise of crafting pieces that honour both beauty and responsibility.
Can you tell us about the process of creating a piece—from ruby to final design?
Once we receive rubies from Gemfields’ mine in Montepuez, they’re assessed and sorted in-house by our gem experts. Each stone is selected with a clear vision for how it will be set. From there, the design is sketched and prototyped. Every detail—from the metal composition to the setting style—is refined through close collaboration between our artisans and gem-setters. We’re personally involved at every stage, working closely with each team to ensure each piece reflects the intention and care behind its creation.
Transparency and environmental stewardship seem to be central to your practice. How are those values integrated into daily operations?
We track the origin of every gemstone and maintain detailed records of each piece’s journey. Ethical labour practices are central to our atelier, and we use recycled gold wherever possible while actively working to minimise waste in our production. This level of oversight allows us to stay fully accountable at every stage of the process.
When you speak of ‘responsibly sourced’, what does that mean beyond ethical mining?
It means considering the entire lifecycle of a piece—from how the gem was mined, to who worked on it, to the materials and energy involved. It’s about traceability, yes, but also about fairness, safety, and impact. It’s a commitment to leaving things better than we found them.
You oversee everything in-house. How does that level of control enhance the final product?
It allows for obsessive attention to detail. When you design and produce in one continuous thread, you can ensure that nothing is compromised—whether it’s the angle of a setting or the polish of a finish. This control guarantees that every Arayian piece meets our highest standards of artistry.
Arayian pieces are known to become heirlooms. How do you design with longevity in mind?
We start with the mindset that we’re not just designing for the present. That influences everything from stone quality to structural durability. Our pieces are not seasonal; they’re built to last, to evolve in meaning, and to be worn with pride decades from now.
With pieces ranging from $7,500 to $150,000, who is your target audience for this capsule?
This collection is for collectors who value rarity, craftsmanship, and traceability. They’re often women buying for themselves—marking personal milestones—or partners looking for something exceptional. These are investment pieces, emotionally and materially.
What kind of response are you hoping for this Ruby Month and beyond?
We hope this collection deepens people’s appreciation for rubies—not just as gemstones, but as carriers of emotion, memory, and legacy. If a client looks at a piece and feels seen or empowered, we’ve done our job.
Do you see more gemstone—or birthstone-led collections in Arayian’s future?
Yes, we’re very interested in gemstone-led storytelling. Each stone has its own personality, and we love the creative challenge of letting that lead the design.
Finally, what excites you most about the future of coloured gemstone jewellery?
The shift towards individuality. Coloured gemstones invite more personal expression and are no longer seen as “alternatives” to diamonds—they’re now front and centre. It’s exciting to be part of that evolution and to help redefine what luxury can look like today.