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Fashion Designer Gareth Pugh Revealed The Inspiration behind his first piece of fine jewellery
Forevermark, the diamond brand from the De Beers Group of Companies, announced its collaboration with British fashion designer, Gareth Pugh today. On the occasion, Mr. Sachin Jain, President, Forevermark India unveiled Gareth’s first fine jewellery piece at The Palladium Hotel, Mumbai along with actress Jacqueline Fernandez.
Featuring over a hundred natural and untreated precious Forevermark diamonds, this armour-like piece has been designed as a part of the Forevermark Promise Campaign. Gareth spoke about the inspiration and journey behind his design where he learnt about the unique promise inscribed on every Forevermark diamond. Set in stainless steel and Titanium, this piece was brought to life with cutting-edge digital mapping and 3D technology. The neckpiece has about 5600 diamonds, adding upto 91.98 carats.
THE INSPIRATION
The design process for Gareth began earlier this year during his trip to the Orapa diamond mine in Botswana, where he came to understand the incredible story behind each Forevermark diamond. From seeing and handling rough diamonds, Gareth witnessed their transformation into beautiful polished gems at an Authorised Forevermark Diamantaires cutting and polishing factory. One part of the operation that he found particularly compelling was the alliance between age-old craft and advanced technology. Gareth knew immediately that he wanted that relationship to be part of the story of this piece.
THE CREATION
Following this creative path, Gareth developed the idea of working with a unique set of contradictions. “The design was brought into existence in a most innovative way: utilising the power of technology – through digital body-mapping and 3D printing – combined with the knowledge and authority of experienced craftsmanship,” said Pugh. And the paradoxes continue with natural and untreated Forevermark diamonds, which are billions of years old, being set within a stainless steel base, built using completely new technology.
Pugh also explained, “The inspiration behind the neck-piece comes from my idea of what a promise is – an unbreakable bond. Coming back to Forevermark, it’s about the reciprocal relationship that they have with the communities they support. It’s not about taking, it’s about giving something back. The piece closes with a titanium pin which is set with a diamond on the top. I really liked the idea of using that as a signifier of an unbreakable bond.”
Sachin Jain, President, Forevermark India commented, “Forevermark prides itself on working with experts who are as passionate about their area of expertise as we are about diamonds. Gareth is undoubtedly one of the world’s great fashion talents and we are honoured that he has chosen to work with Forevermark diamonds for his first fine jewellery piece. Gareth has realised an extraordinary vision in the piece and we are thrilled, both with the creative inspiration and the iconic aesthetic of the neckpiece itself.”
This spectacular design was unveiled for the first time in Hong Kong on the 8th of August at an event attended by Gareth. The neck-piece will soon be revealed in China, Japan and the U.S.
THE CAMPAIGN
Forevermark holds firm the belief that all promises should be as unbreakable as theirs. Consequently, their unique 2013 Promise campaign reflects that. www.forevermark.com/promise features the news, promises and stories from Pugh’s personal journey with Forevermark as well as updates from a variety of international events hosted around the world, in honour of the campaign. Visitors will be able to design their very own piece of jewellery featuring a Forevermark diamond – the finished image of which can be sent to a loved one bearing its very own, personal promise.
The campaign also features online interactions at www.forevermark.com/promise allowing consumers to make a promise to a loved one connected to a specific location and place. The recipient will receive a personal note informing them of the very special promise that awaits them when in the relevant location.
Building on the success of the 2012 Promises and Pledges Exhibition and the corresponding website, designers and celebrities from all over the world are joining the Forevermark 2013 Promise campaign with each learning more about the unique way in which Forevermark diamonds are not only responsibly sourced, but also actively benefit the communities from which they come.
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Induction cooktop demand spikes 30× amid LPG supply concerns
Supply worries linked to West Asia tensions push households and restaurants to turn to electric cooking alternatives
MUMBAI: As geopolitical tensions in West Asia ripple through global energy supply chains, the familiar blue flame in Indian kitchens is facing an unexpected challenger: electricity.
What began as concerns over the availability of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) has quickly evolved into a technology-driven shift in cooking habits. Households across India are increasingly turning to induction cooktops and other electric appliances, initially as a backup but now, for many, a necessity.
A sudden surge in demand
Recent data from quick-commerce and grocery platform BigBasket highlights the scale of the shift. According to Seshu Kumar Tirumala, the company’s chief buying and merchandising officer, demand for induction cooktops has risen dramatically.
“Induction cooktops have seen a significant surge in demand, recording a fivefold jump on 10 March and a thirtyfold spike on 11 March,” Tirumala said.
The increase stands out sharply when compared with broader kitchen appliance trends. Most appliance categories are growing within 10 per cent of their typical demand levels, while induction cooktops have witnessed explosive growth as households rush to secure an alternative cooking option.
Major e-commerce platforms including Amazon and Flipkart have reported rising searches and orders for induction stoves. Quick-commerce apps such as Blinkit and Zepto have also witnessed stock shortages in major metropolitan areas including Delhi, Mumbai and Bengaluru.
What was once considered a convenient appliance for hostels, small kitchens or occasional use has suddenly become an essential addition in many homes.
A crisis thousands of miles away
The trigger for this shift lies far beyond India’s kitchens.
Escalating conflict in the Middle East has disrupted shipping routes through the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most critical energy corridors. Nearly 85 to 90 per cent of India’s LPG imports pass through this narrow waterway, making the country particularly vulnerable to supply disruptions.
The ripple effects have been swift.
India currently meets roughly 60 per cent of its LPG demand through imports, and tightening global supply has already begun to affect domestic availability and prices.
Earlier this month, the price of domestic LPG cylinders increased by Rs 60, while commercial cylinders rose by more than Rs 114.
To discourage panic buying and hoarding, the government has also extended the mandatory waiting period between domestic refill bookings from 21 days to 25 days.
Restaurants feel the pressure
The strain is not limited to households. Restaurants, hotels and roadside eateries are also grappling with supply constraints as commercial LPG availability tightens under restrictions imposed through the Essential Commodities Act.
In cities such as Bengaluru and Chennai, restaurant associations report that commercial LPG availability has dropped by as much as 75 per cent, forcing many establishments to rethink their kitchen operations.
Some restaurants have reduced menu offerings, while others are rapidly installing high-efficiency induction systems, creating hybrid kitchens where electricity now shares the workload with gas.
For smaller eateries and roadside dhabas, the shift is less about sustainability and more about survival.
A potential structural shift
The government has maintained that there is no nationwide LPG crisis and has directed refineries to increase production to stabilise supply.
Nevertheless, the developments of March 2026 may already be triggering a longer-term behavioural shift.
For decades, LPG has been the backbone of cooking in Indian households. However, recent disruptions have highlighted the risks of relying on a single fuel source.
Increasingly, households appear to be hedging against uncertainty by adopting electric cooking options to guard against price volatility and delivery delays.
If the current trend continues, the induction cooktop, once viewed as a niche appliance, could emerge as a quiet symbol of India’s evolving kitchen economy.
