GOLD – the understated bling

Jewellery designer Reama Malik lets loose aspects of her craft and the striking comeback of gold in the modern era

LAHORE: Elegance is the primary design principle for the brand GOLD by Reama Malik. Reama started GOLD in 1987 in the United States as a hobby where she used to make jewellery for her friends and family before she took the craft more seriously and started to learn the technical aspects of jewellery making. Once she moved back to Pakistan, she launched her brand.

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“Gold is here to stay and has been there since time immemorial and that’s why I named my brand GOLD,” Reama shared with The Express Tribune. The designer takes great pride in reviving centuries old traditional craft such as meenakari and polki. Except for precious stones and diamonds which are sourced from overseas and are certified to high specifications, each piece is designed, manufactured and produced in Reama’s workshop in Lahore.



“Be Pakistani, Buy Pakistani” best describes the ethos of her label. “We pride ourselves on the fact that we are ‘made in Pakistan’. We custom design, custom create keeping budgets in mind,” she said.

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While Reama is not one to follow trends religiously, her jewellery has been a red carpet staple for years now – be it the Lux Style awards, Hum Awards or even wedding shoots for popular local designers. Entertainment personalities such as Reema Khan, Iffat Rahim, Hareem Farooq, Kiran Malik, Mahira Khan and Armeena Khan have all donned her pieces on different occasions.

Traditionally, jewellery has been an investment vehicle in line with appreciating gold prices. Diamond jewellery is the new trend that adds class to a jewellery piece and people have started considering it as a very good source of investment. “We believe gold is an asset for the young brides. Age old tradition also insisted on gold being the staple dowry and was always measured in tolas,” Reama added.

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However, trends have changed lately. She made us note that the bling factor of diamonds is considered so important, while the gold is always stowed away in the lockers – and resultantly, the diamond trinkets get used more. So it’s imperative that both get utilised in the best of ways.”

She creates timeless jewellery pieces for brides and loves the idea that her work can be passed on through generations. “A bride should keep in mind when choosing her jewellery, something that will be an heirloom and she will never want to part with it. For the wedding day, the bride can adorn traditional jewelry that can be handed down from generation to generation. I would suggest a polki diamond necklace teamed up with long maharani haar as a must for the bride's most special day,” she said.

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Speaking about speculative jewellery trends for the upcoming wedding season, Reama revealed, “Summer brides should wear pastels. Bold colours such as red and maroon shouldn’t be worn until November. Off white and gold looks beautiful in this season and pairing it with emerald or tourmaline, polki diamonds or simple pearls looks brilliant on the shaadi and mehndi, which are generally traditional occasions. The Valima should have a contemporary look such as diamonds with emeralds, rubies or sapphires, so I consider diamond studded gold jewellery as ideal for any bride.”

Interestingly, varieties of interchangeable jewellery pieces are available today and can be quite versatile. Reama believes in creating such pieces as well, like a brooch that can also be worn as a pendant or a solitaire set made in such a way that it could be later worn as two or three small necklaces on different occasions.



“Brides to be mostly carried the age old legacy of their family in the heirloom adornments handed down to them, but nowadays the bride should go with contemporary designs that will allow her to use the jewellery more often even after the wedding day,” said Reama.

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Many visual details and experiences influence Reama’s work. “I am inspired because I am attracted to certain things – not necessarily that I want to emulate them. I love David Yurman’s design philosophy. I would pick out certain details from one of his very ornate pieces and be inspired by it”.

Reama’s innovative design philosophy, in which the individual gemstones, rather than the metal setting, would dictate each design, helps to revolutionise fine jewellery designs and remain at the cornerstone of a timeless aesthetic that continues to inspire all her creations. “I never compromise on quality; I pride myself on my work ethics,” she said.

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