The late Shri Waman Hari Pethe set up the first branch of this jewellery showroom way back in 1909. From a small outlet in Girgaum, Mumbai to a sprawling shop in the city, Pethe's, as they are fondly called, have indeed come a long way.
Today it is the third generation of the family which oversees the business at the Girgaum, Shivaji Park and Thane branches in Mumbai and the city's Gole Road Branch. Mr Madhumad Pethe is in command here. An affable person, he readily agrees to answer some queries with regard to the jewellery business.

Did you equip yourself with any degree or training before you joined the family business?
Yes, I did complete a course in Gemology, but that was just to derive some basic knowledge. Eventually, nothing beats experience.

Is there any unique or special service you provide customers?
Firstly, jewellery brought from any of our branches can be exchanged for another piece or against money at any of our showrooms. Besides, for a long  time, we were the only ones in the city to exchange gold, weight for weight without deducting for wastage and soldering.

What exactly do you mean by a carat?
It's basically a measure of the purity of gold. The purest form is 24 carat gold, followed by 23 carat gold which has 95.8% purity.
18 carat gold has a purity of 75%.

How can you tell if a diamond is genuine?
It's best to leave it to the expert's eye. Any set rules will lead to a lot of misconceptions. All I can say is a diamond is like a prism. You cannot see through a diamond like you could through a transparent glass.

In what metal are diamonds best set, gold or platinum?
Diamonds are best set in 18 carat gold for an open setting. For closed settings one could use 22 carat gold.

What are the reasons for the tremendous goodwill you have generated?
We are known for our purity, quality and workmanship. Most of our jewellery is based on authentic traditional designs. However, we are aware of changing trends and do accommodate our client's need for contemporary designs.

Does your wife pick up all her jewellery  from here?
(Laughs) Yes, of course!