The Malli legacy continues

Even though Kaur has only been around for approximately eight months, its history spans two decades. The company’s founder Abtar Singh Malli, is originally from Malaysia. He migrated to Canada and then to Trinidad where he got a job at a well-respected jewelery establishment. He worked in the industry for ten years and developed a passion for the business. He decided to branch out and open his own store in November 1991 – Discount Gold Mine.

Malli later expanded the business to Gold Mine Jewellers in 1992 and City Jewellers in 1994.

Malli died in 2004 and in October 2010, City Jewellers “went through some internal changes”and the opportunity was taken to re-brand the company to create a new, sustainable, corporate and retail image. Consequently, Kaur Collections was established with the intention of carrying on Malli’s legacy.

Kaur is a Punjabi word in Sikhism meaning “Princess”. It is a mandatory last name for female Sikhs.

“All women are princesses regardless of race or social status. The jewelery pieces you choose should be cherished and make you feel like a princess,” said director of Kaur Collection, Shanta Maharaj-Malli, who explained the brand’s cultural connection with a western appeal.

The founder’s heritage can also be seen by font used in the design as the line of the Punjabi sword is used for the K in Kaur as well as by the Chura, a bangle or hand band which, in modern times, is used to identify a Sikh. The Churas, as well as “Righthand Rings” are Kaur’s signature pieces. CEO Maria Balgobin Mohammed explained the concept of the Righthand Rings.

“If you never get married you will never get a beautiful band. Now you don’t have to wait for someone to propose to you. You can spoil yourself and purchase one for yourself,” she said.

With these original ideas in mind, the actual design of the jewelery is motivated by local demand.

“While we have maintained traditional-type jewelery, we are moving with the times and have incorporated the styles of the new generation,” stated Mohammed. It was noted that coloured jewelery is very popular, therefore coloured enamel and beads are used to integrate colour with the gold and silver jewelery.

Kaur’s in-house designers management team also noted white diamonds are no longer in high demand. Coloured diamonds - blue, chocolate, yellow and pink - are being requested. While the blue and yellow diamonds are simply white diamonds that are treated or enhanced to gain their colour, pink diamonds occurs naturally and are therefore very expensive and more difficult to source.

“It is true that jewelery is an investment but people also want to be fashionable,” said Mohammed. “It is also important to note that Trinidad and Tobago have very different jewelery styles so when we create our items, we keep that in mind.”

This strategy seems to have worked for Kaur because, in just eight months of business, the number of branches increased from three to five, with one recently opened at Gulf City Low Lands Mall in Tobago.

Maharaj-Malli said even in this difficult economic climate, management is determined to look for new ventures and so found it necessary to make themselves more accessible to the public. Therefore, in addition to Tobago, Kaur Collections can be found at The Falls at West Mall, Gulf City Mall, Excellent City Centre, and will soon be established at Shoppes of Arima.

“It was very difficult financially but the determination was there,” she said.

“We are trying to make our jewelery within the reach of everyone,” said Mohammed. “We import from New York and Los Angeles as well as a small amount of Indian jewelery but with import, there are import duties and VAT which gives us no choice but to increase the prices on these items. We recognise the economy is not in a great place so we have to improvise in that aspect.”

Accordingly, as Kaur already has licences to import raw materials and manufacture jewelery, management intends to focus more on manufacturing as a way to assure quality and reasonable pricing.

“Even with the rise in the price of gold, creating the pieces here makes it more affordable to clients. This is of paramount importance to us so we are still maintaining our low prices,” stated Mohammed. “Also, this way, we can focus more on customised items, giving people exactly what they want.”

Kaur’s management team also hopes to one day have Kaur branches on other Caribbean islands. “We have been exporting jewelery to other Caribbean islands for the past 15 years. However, over the past few years they have been reduced as persons cut costs and buy only what they need,” stated Maharaj-Malli. “Despite this, we are looking to carry Kaur wherever it is accepted. While we are focussing on satisfying the local market right now, we are watching the market and hope to expand to other Caribbean islands.”