Pure Happiness: Harakh’s Drops of JOY Collection

New York-based brand HARAKH is one I have praised in the past for respectfully reinterpreting Indian motifs and celebrating the country’s high jewellery craftsmanship for a new generation. I was pleased to catch up with the brand at the Couture Show in Las Vegas and discover its new Drops of JOY collection, which features Ashtamangala symbols that have been used for protection, strength, and wisdom for thousands of years. I am delighted to introduce you to these precious golden talismans here…

Before we consider the new creations launched at the 2023 Couture show (the brand’s third showing), I would like to invite you to read previous articles on KaterinaPerez.com to immerse yourself in the HARAKH story. The brand was founded in 2017 by Harakh Mehta, a fourth-generation jeweller originally from Mumbai, and is now based in New York City. It specialises in High Jewellery creations using D-F colour stones, which are handcrafted in India, drawing upon centuries of traditional craftsmanship, knowledge, and jewellery experience. I’ve written about HARAKH both for its skill in crafting contemporary Indian-inspired jewellery and for its close ties to the luxury landscape in New York. Just last year, I shared the special diamond jewellery suite the brand created to celebrate the 150th anniversary of Bloomingdale’s department store, incorporating exactly 150 carats of diamonds.

This blend of cultural influences and traditional-meets-modern craftsmanship is an essential ingredient in the brand’s latest Drops of JOY collection, which was first unveiled in June 2023. It’s no coincidence that JOY is capitalized here… the word ‘harakh’ actually means ‘joy’ in Harakh Mehta’s native language Gujarati, and it’s a “guiding principle” for all the brand’s ranges. Drops of JOY is a capsule collection of 10 spiritually significant charms crafted in 18k gold with colourless diamonds of exceptional colour and clarity. Each one references a meaningful icon or talisman, including sacred Ashtamangala symbols – a series of eight sacred signs that feature in numerous Indian religions.

Of the ten pieces, a handful are ready to be unveiled. There’s the Parasol with a bird’s eye view of an open umbrella, tipped with a diamond, in a more abstract reimagining of the Ashtamangala umbrella (often used to symbolise the teachings of Buddha); the Conch Shell to promote an awakening of self-awareness, and the Divine No. 9, which is considered a sacred and lucky number in many cultures. The remaining styles feature the blooming Lotus for resilience, the ‘Wheel of Law’ for serenity, the unbreakable Vajra (a legendary and ritual weapon) for confidence, the Endless Knot for balance, the Lion’s Head for courage, and the Kalasha – a treasure vessel – for attracting prosperity.