FIVE MINUTES WITH

Five minutes with Sunaina Chand

Nicole Slater talks diamonds and dreams with the founder and CEO of Vivaz Fine Jewelry

Drawn to Hong Kong’s charm, energy and convenience, Sunaina Chand moved to the city from Japan nearly 20 years ago.

After finding her passion for diamonds, she left her job in public relations and marketing to study natural diamonds at the Gemological Institute of America in Hong Kong.

Chand realised the lack of transparency in the industry early on. “Clients were not entirely educated about the details of their solitaire engagement rings before making a purchase. A ring represents so much more than what the eyes see, so I wanted to ensure my clients understood the details beyond the four C’s (cut, colour, clarity and carat) and appreciated the craftsmanship and precision of each diamond. This led me to start Vivaz Fine Jewelry,” says Chand.

Chand is a true believer in diamonds as heirlooms but also equally as great investments. “If informed well, diamonds make a great investment. Having a high intrinsic value, they are always in demand. Like most gems and precious metals, past performance shows they will increase in value over time,” she says.

Having worked with the precious stone for years, Chand is drawn to a particluar style. “The most appealing characteristic of a diamond is the Heart and Arrow Cut. In a round diamond, the luster is clearly defined by the set of eight hearts and eight arrows, which is a sign of excellent optical symmetry.” A superior cut which was initially noticed by Kinsaku Yamashita and eventually trademarked in 1988.

“A simple solitaire diamond in the form of stud earrings, a ring or pendant are classic options and will be treasured for a lifetime,” says Chand. “My very first pair of solitaire diamond earrings were gifted to me by my father, as a parting gift before I made my way to Hong Kong. He is an inspiration and a constant source of encouragement as I continue to build Vivaz from the ground up.”

Chand’s hard work has paid off and she now has a network of loyal clients and collaborations with luxury designers, including Giovanni Ferraris and Paolo Costagli.

Chand has collaborated with diamond sightholders creating styles with a team of designers, together pushing boundaries of innovation with two-in-one or even threein-one concept styles. Adding a new layer to what today is referred to as classic fine diamond jewellery.

By keeping an open mind, Chand has been able to maneuver around the events of the past year but hopes to see a positive shift and better opportunities for those who need it most this year. vivazluxury.com