Inside the Family Heirlooms of the Rich and Famous

As Abhishek Ghatiwala puts it, heirlooms are “living passengers through time,” accumulating memories of weddings, journeys, and family milestones. 

Jewellery has always been more than adornment. Across dynasties and families, jewels have served as silent witnesses: to love stories, coronations, and inheritances that shaped destinies. A diamond tiara tucked in a vault, a grandmother’s pearl strand on anniversaries, a gold kada polished with time and touch…these are not merely possessions; they are vessels of memory, containers of a story, and symbols of continuity. 

Heirlooms have universal appeal. From the British Crown Jewels to Elizabeth Taylor’s legendary 33.19-carat Krupp Diamond, treasured jewels transcend private ownership, shaping dynasties, culture, and imagination. Auction legends include Marie Antoinette’s pearls at Sotheby’s to Indian royal jewels at Christie’s, illustrating how heirlooms often become collective heritage, valued for both narrative and artistry. 

Each scratch, each polish, each re-setting carries a whisper of the past and the heartbeat of those who wore it before. Bollywood actor Aneet Padda stresses how heirloom pieces bring back memories for her, something her grandmother passed down to her as a connotation to memory. “A bali is a must-have,” she shares about her family traditions, “reserved for special occasions, although some pieces have become everyday essentials.” 

Why People Create Heirlooms 

Heirlooms are created to preserve milestones, express love, mark achievements, or safeguard legacies. They are tangible links between generations, carrying emotions, histories, and personal narratives that transcend material value. As Abhishek Ghatiwala puts it, heirlooms are “living passengers through time,” accumulating memories of weddings, journeys, and family milestones.  

In the luxury universe, heirlooms blur the boundary between wealth and heritage, they are valued not just in carats or hallmarks but in the stories, that they carry forward. Their true luxury lies not in price, but in their enduring ability to outlast trends, witness lives, and bind generations together. 

Emotional and Material Value 

Beyond precious metals and stones, heirloom jewellery carries stories, memories, and milestones, transforming adornment into a living testament of family and personal histories. In the luxury landscape, the value of a piece is as much in its narrative as in its craftsmanship. Suresh Krishnan, Vice President, Sales, PNG Jewellers, observes: 

“An heirloom piece is more than a possession. It’s a vessel of memory, emotion, and artistry. At PNG Jewellers, we believe a piece qualifies as an heirloom when it embodies timeless design, rare craftsmanship, and emotional significance. It’s the interplay of heritage and sentiment that gives jewellery its soul, making it worthy of being passed down through generations.” 

Heirlooms remain popular because they merge nostalgia with personal storytelling. Millennials and Gen Z are not just inheriting treasures; they are commissioning their own. 

 Whether it’s a Coinkeeper Cuff customised with coins representing mentors or a diamond bought to celebrate entrepreneurship, the modern heirloom reflects individuality as much as tradition. Tiara Dhody, Founder of Treasures by Tiara, says: 

“An heirloom is never just about the price or rarity. It’s about the memories it carries. A piece becomes an heirloom when it has both quality craftsmanship and an emotional story attached to it.” 

Beyond aesthetics, heirlooms offer continuity, a tangible link to the past in a world that is increasingly transient and effervescent. 

Passport to the Past  

Suresh Krishnan, PNG Jewellers emphasizes on emblems serving as mottos: “For me, durability and depth sit at the heart of heirloom design. Clients come seeking not just jewels, but symbols that can endure intricate craftsmanship, emblematic motifs, pure materials, and most importantly, stories that bind the wearer to the past.” Tiara Dhody, Treasures by Tiara comments on the rituality of passing her jewels down. Her clientele often seeks pieces that are timeless; jewels that won’t feel obsolete in twenty years, but will continue to spark admiration and sentiment. Not just a jewel, but a record of who we are. “I would pass it down so that future generations never forget the people and stories that made us.” 

Rohan Narang, Hazoorilal Legacy speaks about the memory the stone has lived through: “A jewel becomes a true heirloom when it goes beyond its intrinsic value to embody craftsmanship and deep emotional resonance. It is not merely about diamonds or gold—it is about the me mories and milestones the piece has witnessed.” 

“When jewellery is worn on meaningful occasions, passed down through generations, and cherished as a symbol of family traditions, it transcends adornment to become a living legacy.” 

We also spoke to Farhana Bodi, a Luxury Content Creator on the legacy diamonds leave behind. “For me, an heirloom piece is all about the emotional connection. Design and rarity matter, but what truly makes a piece timeless is the story it carries: the memories, the moments, the meaning it represents. Heirlooms are not just about tradition; they’re about legacy.” 

Challenges in Creating Heirlooms 

While heirlooms carry immense emotional appeal, crafting them is a delicate balancing act. Durability, timelessness, and relevance to contemporary lifestyles must coexist. Modern collectors demand pieces that are modular, wearable, and ethically sourced without compromising heritage or craftsmanship in order for them to last longer.  

The storytelling aspect is equally crucial: embedding personal milestones in a way that remains meaningful for future generations requires thoughtful design and foresight. 

Abhishek Ghatiwala:“A jewel earns heirloom status not only through durable metals, strong settings, and meticulous construction but also by accumulating stories of weddings, journeys, and family milestones. New-age collectors increasingly favour versatility and personal storytelling, with modular designs, historic references, and unconventional stones, creating pieces that are both personal and enduring.” 

The Future of Heirlooms 

The luxury heirloom market is poised to evolve in exciting ways. Young collectors are blending tradition with individuality, commissioning bespoke designs that respect heritage yet celebrate self-expression.  

Sustainability and ethical sourcing are becoming central, ensuring that heirlooms are not only enduring in sentiment but responsible in creation. The forecast points to a hybrid model: pieces that honour lineage and craft while allowing personal stories to define their relevance. 

Heritage with a Heart 

Ultimately, heirlooms occupy a rare place in the luxury spectrum. They bridge the emotional and the material, the personal and the collective, the past and the future.  

As Tiara Dhody notes: “Without a story, jewellery is just metal and stones.” 

And as Suresh Krishnan reminds us: “Jewellery is becoming a narrative of one’s life, not just lineage.” The true luxury of an heirloom is not its price but its enduring ability to witness lives, outlast time, carry stories, and connect generations. 

You may also read: LuxeBook Exclusive: Khushi Kapoor’s Festive Beauty Blueprint