Vardhaman Gems

Jyoti Kothari, Proprietor, Vardhaman Gems inherits the centuries old tradition of excellence in Gems and Jewelry industry. He is Grand grand son of Rai Badridas Bahadur Mookim.

Jyoti Kothari has been trained under the auspieces of Shree Rajroop Tank where he learned and aquired skills of identification, manufacturing, assorting and trading of Gemstones and Jewelry. He is well equipped with both traditional and modern systems of Gems and Jewelry industry. He has trained and inducted more than fifty students into the industry including his son Darshan Kothari to maintain tradition of his family and his teacher and mentor.

Our new website about Kundan Jadau Meena

Rai Badridas Bahadur Mookim, son of Kalkadas, was the Court Jewelers of Lucknow till the first half of Nineteenth century. They built temple in Lucknow that is prevailing till date. They were migrated from Lucknow to Kolkata (The then Calcutta) in the second half of Nineteenth century after decline of Lucknow state.

 Rai Badridas was a renowned Jeweler and had been placed as the Court Jewelers of Vice Roy and Governor General of British India. He was also awarded with the titles of “Mookim” and “Rai Bahadur”. He established Rai Badridas Bahadur Mookim & Sons Jewelers in Kolkata.

They  manufactured, collected and possessed incredible Gemstones including Diamond, Basra Pearls, Emerald, Burmese Ruby, Sapphires, Cat's eyes, Spinal, Garnet, Amethyst, Moon Stones etc and manufactured Jewelry from those. A throne of Lord Shiva made of exclusive quality Navaratna has been found in their collection. They created designer Necklace, Pendants, Earrings, Rings, Bangles, Bracelets etc in Diamond and Color stone Jewelry. They were also specialized in Indian Royal Jewelry of Mogul pattern i.e. Kundan Jadau Meena Ornaments and Basra Pearls. An egg sized rare Black Pearl had been in their collection untill recent past. They made a Diamond Necklace studded with awesome collection of cut and drops of  Nine color Diamonds. They catered their clients, Monarchs and Royal families all over India including Kolkata, Delhi, Mumbai, Hyderabad, Jaipur,Udaipur, Darbhanga etc.

Besides his business activities he was prone to social and religious works. He was the co- founder of Bengal Chamber of Commerce and Industries with Rai Bahadur Dhanpat Singh Dugar of Azimganj. Rai Badridas Bahadur Mookim was also the first President of Bengal Chamber of Commerce and Industries.He has founded the Dharamkanta that was standard for Gemstones’ weight and established a Panjrapole to rehabilitate distressed animals both in the then Kolkata.

Rai Badridas became instrumental in purchasing Paresh Nath hills for Anandji Kalyanji Pedhi from the Maharaja of Palganj. Paresh Nath or Paras Nath hills belongs to famous Jain pilgrimage center Sammet Shikhar. He has built a shrine of Lord Parshva Nath, 23^rd Jain Tirthankara, on the highest peak of the hill. This temple is called Paras Nath Toonk.

Administration of British India decided to start a slaughter house in Parasnath hills. It heartens the entire Indian Jain community because Jains are vegetarians who believe in the doctrines of Ahimsa, the non-violence. Efforts of Rai Badridas compelled the British Government to change their decision in favor of the Jain community and project of slaughter house was abandoned.

 He has built a temple of Lord Rshabha Deva, the first Jain Tirthankara, in Purimatala (Allahabad). He acted as Secretary for Sayaji Jain conference (All India) organized and hosted by Maharaja of Baroda. 

However, his main contribution to the Jain community and the Indians at large is the famous and beautiful Sheetal Nath Temple in Kolkata built in 1867. It is also renowned as Parasnath temple. The entire temple is decorated with Belgian glass. Even the floors of garden area are built of the same. The main throne of the Lord Sheetalnath is decorated with Precious and Semi Precious Gemstones. There were more than twenty idols of Jain Tirthankaras made in various precious stones e.g. Emerald, Ruby, Blue sapphire, Hessonite etc. He has built this temple in acres of land in Manicktalla region of Kolkata. Hundreds thousands of domestic and foreign tourists visit the temple every year that has put the temple in the tourist map of Kolkata, India. The temple is such popular that the street where it situated is named Badridas Temple Street. The Philately department of India had issued a postal stamp featuring this temple.

Rai Badridas left behind his two sons Rai Kumar Singh and Raj Kumar Singh. Fateh Kumar Singh, Son of  Rai Kumar Singh is Grand father of Jyoti Kothari, Proprietor, Vardhaman Gems.

My Grand Father

Born to a jeweler family of Chirawa on august 8, 1907, Shree Rajroop Tank was gifted intellectual. His father Manakchandji Sahab was a small-time businessman and had a deep knowledge of astrology. When Rajroop Tank was 8, the Jeweller brothers of  Kolkata- Heeralal Tank and Chhaganlal Tank adopted him. Since the two were relatives of his father, Rajroop Tank adjusted easily in their family. The two were big names in rubies and pearl trading. Their business had already expanded to Mumbai.

The show was running smoothly till the two brothers passed away leaving the entire responsibility on the tender shoulders of Rajroop who was then just 13 years old. After the untimely demise of the Tank brothers Rajroop came back to Manakchandji armed with the knowledge and information he had gained from his foster fathers. The wives of the Tank brothers also came to Jaipur and set up the Tank dharmashala in the memory of their husbands. The dharmashala is still being operated by the Tank family to commemorate their contribution in the life of Rajroop Tank.

By Dharmendra Tank

My father, A family man

Shree Dulichand Tank was a family man. Apart from keeping a close watch on global jewellery trends and his business, he used to spend quality time with his children. His sole aim was to impart social and religious values and quality education in his children. He was a great father, caring husband and adorable brother. He never left his business commitments affect his family life.The key was time management.

  Dharmendra Tank

 (Dharmendra Tank is Grand son of Rajroop Tank and son of Dulichand Tank)