Clouds & Silver (and Gold) Linings.

The Euro may be in freefall, the £ sterling may have lost 25% of it’s value against the Indian Rupee in less than 8 months, and the price of silver may have skyrocketed! But hey, it’s a great time to go to the UK and Europe for your hols if you are Indian! Having come all the way over to Jaipur, I was highly amused to discover that one of my suppliers is, at the same time, in London on holiday!

You can read that India's economy is booming – but seeing it REALLY is booming is another thing altogether . Major roads and flyovers are appearing from nowhere, skyscrapers, huge shopping malls and blocks of flats are popping up like Jack's beanstalk, almost overnight.

Real estate prices in Jaipur rival those in London, and there is a skilled labour shortage of English proportions. There is also massive unskilled unemployment, and poverty on a scale unimaginable in the UK, and, sadly, little sign of much change there, however much the face of the cities alter.

But change to the world order IS happening on a grand scale, and very, very fast. It is simply more visible here than in Britain. Coming to India and stepping outside the UK really does give a fresh perspective on the truly radical shake up taking place in the accepted 'normal order of things'. And while change is not always welcome, we will certainly embrace the positive.

So … over the next couple of months until our BIG shopping trip here, we will be working on creating new designs to excite and inspire you, which you can still afford, in spite of exchange rate woes and skyrocketing silver prices.

AND, if you would like something really special, but still affordable, in gold and precious stones - one of our most prestigious suppliers [a jeweller to the Royal Family of Jaipur since the 19th century] has offered me a service to pass on to you: to make his designs in earrings, rings and pendants, to your own specifications and budget. An exciting proposal because the workmanship, design and materials are wonderful, AND they knock spots off the prices of traditional High Street jewellers. But I'll save the details for later …..

This example of a pair of Ruby, Emerald and Diamond earrings in 18ct gold would only cost around £400, at curent gold prices and exchange rates, AND they are unique. Pretty amazing for something so extra special. If you might like to take advantage of this service, do get in touch with me at our Head Office to make a personal appointment to discuss

Whirlwind Buying Trip

Finally. I'm sitting on the verandah, overlooking the green lawns and flower garden of my hotel, enjoying a lovely scalding-hot pot of fresh darjeeling and a slice of home made chocolate cake - Bliss!

It's been a bit of a trek to get here, mostly because of awful roadworks on the highway from Delhi to Jaipur, but, I left London at 9pm on Saturday and here I am at barely 5pm (local time) Sunday, well and truly ensconced.

Rather lucky I didn't risk a BA flight this time. We come here 2 or 3 times a year and always fly BA, but this time I decided to try Jet Airways, and it was wonderful. I shall be saying goodbye to my BA executive club card and airmiles, the service on JA is fantastic, the plane was a 777, the newest around with state of the art in flight media (and this was in economy!). The food was really good - vegetarian Indian to a very acceptable standard, good fresh fruit salads ...... I could go on, but you get the idea. BA has, sadly, definitely lost our custom.

At least the road trip to Jaipur gave me a chance to submerge myself in the latest Vogue, Marie Claire, Red and Elle - something I NEVER get time to do - to see what the Summer trends might be and, I hope, use this trip to bring a flavour of these to you. There are lots of long chains about, silver bangles piled up tanned arms, and strings of large, brightly coloured beads, as well as tons of black & white - the perennial classsic for summer. So, fingers crossed, I'll let you know what I find in the few days I am here. Watch this space!

Anyway, I also bought a little 'flip' camera before flying, so I'm hoping to be able to take some interesting short videos which we will post online for you all to see.