Rising Star

Chhaya Kapadia Maya Jewels

Having gone from Corporate to Couture, Chhaya Kapadia is no ordinary designer. And, although she was fifty years old before she decided to pursue her lifelong passion — to become a world-class jewelry designer — if one were to ask, she would emphatically state that this chapter in her life is the most fulfilling.

By Cynthia Unninayar

Having achieved the type of success in corporate America that many women can only imagine, including positions as Vice President at Citibank, Director at NASDAQ, and Executive Director at Kaiser Permanente, Chhaya achieved her dream, when, in 2004, she founded Maya Jewels.

Knowing full well that a solid education is essential for success, this gifted designer studied colored stones at the Gemological Institute of America, and then went straight to the source, the mines in Brazil, to enhance her knowledge. Inspired by almost everything, from the jewelry worn in small native villages to her love of Art Deco and Art Nouveau, Chhaya’s creative artistry quickly began to blossom – as did her reputation for exotic and inspired pieces.

Today, Chhaya Kapadia has stepped out beyond the expected, reinventing the cuff with design nuances that are, as she calls it, “an accessory extraordinaire – clearly, a new twist on the wrist!” Kicking off her newest collection is her “Filigree and Wood” cuff. Featuring 22K gold filigree and highly polished, hand cut, exotic teak wood, each tiny wooden curve is bezel-set in an assortment of abstract shapes. Adding even more elegance to the collection is her “Filigree and Embroidery” cuff – an artistic rendition of fine embroidery, also in 22K gold. The exceptional filigree work, with its sculptured swirl design, is reminiscent of fine tapestry. Rounding out this new collection is her "Filigree and Cutwork” cuff. Elegant and romantic, it is a true statement of style with curves and lavish swirls all in 22K gold.

Chhaya has created pieces for every mood. Her "Gold Collection" reflects a woman’s romantic and artistic sides, with delicate 22K gold filigree and exotic mixtures of wood, enamel, and gold embroidery. Her “Solo Collection” is made up of rustic, hand-woven cotton cords that offer a stark contrast with center pieces made of gold and wood, baroque pearls, rubies, emeralds, or other gemstones. In Chhaya’s “Sparkle Collection,” her love of color springs forth with faceted colored stones and diamonds. The “Statement Collection” is a compilation of bold, colorful designs that feature large, unusual cut colored stones, while her “Seven Seas Collection” incorporates virtually every type of pearl along with exotic shells, amber, and mother-of-pearl.

Although Maya Jewels is only two years old, its founder has already been invited to shows such as JA’s New Designer Gallery, the Design Atelier section at Couture, and BaselWorld. She has also joined the ranks of internationally acclaimed designers to participate in the “Trend Lab” at the Orogemma show in Vicenza, Italy. And her designs have been featured in both national and international magazines.

With her creative collections, Chhaya Kapadia is proving that not only are her designs "extraordinaire," but so is the designer.

www.mayajewels.com