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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!
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