The Indian Weekender, 27 October 2023

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6 NEW ZEALAND Friday, 27 October, 2023 Read online www.iwk.co.nz Crafting dreams in lab grown diamond jewellery Four Words co-founder Vineet Chauhan SUPPLIED CONTENT When buying engagement rings and fine jewellery, often you have to choose among quality, affordability and something unique. With Four Words, you can have all three. The brainchild of Vineet Chauhan, Hamish Parbhu and Vivek Kumar, this New Zealandbased company has carved a niche for itself in the art of crafting custom-made fine jewellery using lab-grown diamonds – redefining approachable luxury. The First Four Words Vivek’s journey into the diamond business is marked by a desire to fulfill a personal quest for getting a bespoke designed engagement ring. “My wife had a very clear idea of what she wanted in her engagement ring when I was looking to propose. “At the time, New Zealand did not have a jeweller that sold high-quality lab-grown diamonds, let alone a jeweller that would design a custom engagement ring for you unless you spent more than $10,000,” recalls Vivek. Where the business found its start was a visit by Vineet to Surat, India – the diamond capital of the world, for his own wedding shopping. It unveiled the new but fast growing world of lab-grown diamonds – where one could obtain precisely what they wanted without compromising on quality, price or design. Inspired by this ethos, Vineet, Hamish and Vivek set out to introduce this concept to the fine jewellery industry in New Zealand, giving birth to Four Words. A journey across continents The co-founding team of Four Words trace their origins to Fiji and India. Their parents had shared a journey of migration from Fiji to New Zealand around 1990. None of their families had been involved in the diamond business. Their family backgrounds are primarily in textiles and footwear. A Diamond is a Diamond – Lab or Natural The heart of Four Words lies in the concept of lab-grown diamonds which are physically, optically, and atomically identical to natural diamonds. “Not even trained gemologists can tell the difference,” explains Vivek. “We like to think about it like ice. Ice from the freezer is the same as ice from a mountain. There are just different ways to make it." Lab diamonds even come certified by GIA and IGI – the same organisations that grade natural diamonds. However, lab grown diamonds aren’t to be confused with ‘American Diamonds’ which are cubic zirconias, a type of diamond simulant that often get very cloudy and crack easily. Lab grown diamonds are real diamonds, just made in a lab. “When you talk to traditional jewellers, often they will persuade you away from buying lab grown because they don’t hold their value,” says Vivek. “But this is a common myth. If you try to resell any diamond, natural or lab, you will get approximately 40%-50% of the value for it. “For example, a good quality one carat natural diamond will cost you about $11,000. With lab diamonds, the exact same thing would be $4,000. And even if the lab diamond value went to zero (it won’t), and you get full resale value for your natural diamond (you won’t) you would still be $7,000 better off.” A unique custom design experience One of the unique aspects of Four Words is their personalised approach to jewellery design. Clients can either select from the online collection or collaborate with the skilled team to create a custom, unique design from scratch. Their thoughtful design process involves one on one consultations, both in person and virtually. It also includes the possibility of incorporating other gemstones like sapphires, rubies, emeralds, topaz, spinels and alexandrite. Once the brief is finalised, the design phase commences, first with concept sketches, then diamond selection - diamonds hand picked by gemologists and then detailed photorealistic 3D designs for final approval. We go through a process of back and forth to ensure our clients get exactly what they want. The final design is then brought to life using modern jewellery making techniques, right here in New Zealand, taking between six to eight weeks. Each client receives a diamond grading certificate, an insurance certificate, free worldwide shipping, and duty free shopping for those who have an overseas trip planned. More than just rings While Four Words is renowned for their engagement rings, the brand offers a diverse array of options, including earrings, bracelets, pendants, and necklaces, available in a range of gold (white, rose, yellow in 9k, 14k, 18k, and 22K) and platinum. In three years, the brand has already crafted more than 1,000 unique designs and grown into a team of seven dedicated people. Dreaming bigger The price varies depending on the design, size, and materials used. For a rough estimate, a two-carat ideal cut, F colour, VS1 clarity diamond solitaire in an 18K gold setting would cost approximately $8,000. The exact same thing made with natural diamonds would be over $45,000. RNZ Every region of the country has experienced population growth in the past year, following two years in which several shrank. Statistics New Zealand data shows of the 16 regions, Auckland was the fastest growing in the year to June. Estimates and projections manager Michael MacAskill said Auckland grew by 47,000 people - 2.8 percent - in the year ended June, “reversing a population loss in 2022”. About 78 percent of new Aucklanders were recent arrivals to the country. “Auckland gained people through international migration, but lost people through internal migration, continuing the pattern since the late 1990s,” MacAskill said. Nationally, the population grew 2.1 percent, about 105,900 people, in the year ended June 2023 - 18 times higher than the Jewellery by Four Words No compromises Four Words’ guiding philosophy is clear– it is about fine jewellery without compromising on size, quality or the environment. For more information, visit www. fourwords.co.nz Auckland led way as NZ population grew 2.1% in year ending June previous year, when it flatlined at 0.1 percent. Otago, Waikato, and Bay of Plenty regions also grew faster than the New Zealand average. The fastest growing district by far was Queenstown-Lakes, which went up 8 percent, or 3900 new residents, with 2500 coming from overseas. Meanwhile, deaths exceeded births in some regions. “A record 16 out of 67 territorial authority areas experienced natural decrease, or more deaths than births, in the year ended June 2023,” MacAskill said. The areas with the largest natural decreases included Dunedin City (190 more deaths than births), Thames- Coromandel District (170 more), Kāpiti Coast District (160 more), Nelson City (100 more), Whanganui District (90 more), and Timaru district (80 more). With the exception of Buller district, all areas experiencing “natural decrease” still had population growth, due to net migration.
Read online www.iwk.co.nz Friday, 27 October, 2023 NEW ZEALAND 7 CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 The IBO is one of the few major pro boxing leagues in the world, with champions ranging across weight categories. Mehra has thrown her hat in the ring in the 54-55 kgs category. After a fairly successful career as an amateur boxer in India, competing in several national level competitions, Mehra turned pro at the age of 17. For the boxing uninitiated, amateur pugilists compete at competitions like Olympic Games and Commonwealth Games. Many boxers, like India’s Olympic medallist Vijender Singh, chose to turn professional, a stage that is more commercial but no less competitive. Mehra already has under her belt 17 professional fights with 12 wins, one draw and four losses. She has fought bouts in the UAE, Australia and South Korea among other countries. A single mother of five, Kaitaia-born Motu (17-0, 6 knockouts) will make the second defence of her IBO crown at Whangārei's McKay Stadium, where she'll be backed by friends and family. The Bollywood biopic on Mary Kom, a sixtime amateur world champion and Olympic bronze medallist from the northeastern Indian state of Manipur, inspired Mehra to take up boxing as a career. She says she fully understands the challenge of fighting Motu in her den, but she isn’t pulling any punches. “She is a good hard hitter, and we are working on how to tackle that. I am in great form, and have no doubt I will take the fight to her corner.” Mehra’s team has roped in Fiji-Indian Farmaan Ali as volunteer manager to help with her New Zealand foray. The Aucklandbased pro boxing trainer says he is looking for Kiwi-Indians to come on board as Mehra’s sponsors. “Be it individuals or corporations, we Mary Kom fan from Delhi to take on Maori boxing queen for world title Chandni Mehra (22) turned professional at the age of 17 years. Single mother of five Mea Motu. (RNZ/ Marika Khabazi) are looking at our diaspora members to help her out. We have great sponsorship opportunities, as the event will be telecast live across New Zealand and Australia. People can contact me at 022 457 5210.” Mehra was in Aotearoa this month to promote the upcoming bout, and she is currently back in Delhi training for the fight. She will return to Whangarei later in November just days before her Dec 2 world title challenge. What: IBO super bantamweight world title fight: Mea Motu vs Chandni Mehra Where: McKay Stadium, Whangārei When: Saturday, December 2 Coverage: Live on Sky Arena and Sky Sport Now FIREWORKS ON SALE SOON! ON SALE THURSDAY 2 ND - SUNDAY 5 TH NOVEMBER EXTENDED STORE HOURS 8AM - 7PM Fireworks 18+ For store locations visit crackerjack.co.nz/stores
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