National Jewellery Awards: a golden story
Winning two prestigious awards at this event was the jewellery store Chintamanis—one for best store of the year, for its flagship store at Prabhadevi.
Founder and chairman of the company, Arun Kaigaonkar, was honoured with the ‘Anmol Ratna’ lifetime achievement award. Truly a legend, Kaigonkar’s story is an inspiring one. Leaving his hometown for Mumbai in 1972 and after taking a loan from a friend, he set up a small workshop for manufacturing gold bangles. He then started retailing in the city after setting up a small shop in Girgaon, in South Mumbai, under the name of Vaishali Jewellers. After two decades of painstakingly building up his formidable reputation in the field of gold jewellery, Kaigaonkar set up a second store in Prabhadevi. This store, opposite Siddhivinayak temple, turned out to be the iconic Chintamanis. Kaigonkar’s entrepreneur skills were displayed in the early years as the brand continues to see a meteoric rise in popularity and growth. In 2003, they launched their third shop in the suburbs of Borivali. Chintamani Kaigaonkar, his son, has been part of the business and its growth since the late 90s. He has been instrumental in creating and developing the diamond jewellery business of the group. In 2005, Vaijayanti Kaigaonkar joined the business as well, and they set up their first diamond jewellery manufacturing unit. The company took a few years to then corporatise and organise itself, and then began systemantic expansion. In 2011 and 2012, they set-up branches at Vashi, Vasai and Goa subsequently.
Arun Kaigaonkar’s contribution to the gem and jewellery industry has been manifold. He has headed and founded various organisations such as Mumbai Gold Club, Gem and Jewellery Federation of India, Suburban Jewellers Association, Vice-Chairman of Maharashtra Rajya Saraf Suvarnakar Federation, among others. He is always a constructive link between the government and the industry and is credited with fuelling the Swarna Ratna Pith foundation that encourages enthusiastic youngsters to become confident businessman. Twenty five years ago, he set up a training institution at Lalbaug. For those who want to be part of the jewellery industry, this institution has a government-approved course. Arun Kaigaonkar has always been a role model for many jewellers. In this journey, spanning four decades, the brand has bagged many prestigious awards for their innovative and exotic designs.
In 2013, Chintamanis fine jewellery re-launched their flagship store at Prabhadevi, creating a space that reflects the magnitude and calibre befitting the brand and its ethos. With chic interiors, this store is adorned with specially commissioned paintings and fine Spanish chandeliers.
With a Raja Ravi Verma-themed lounge for jadau and bridal jewellery, a dedicated section for platinum and an exclusive lounge for solitaires and Forevermark, Chintamanis is truly an award-winning store in every respect.
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