Neha Dani: New Kephi Collection is All About Positive Emotions

November 20, 2020

By Katerina Perez

4 min read

Movement towards jewellery with original and distinctive motifs has become increasingly apparent in recent years. What’s more, both regular customers and experienced collectors alike are showing a preference for unique works rather than jewellery from mass-produced collections. Neha Dani fulfils all these desires, which come to the fore in the new Kephi collection, offering customers ready-made artistic solutions they can personally modify.

Let’s start with the name of the collection, which derives from the ancient Greek word kefi – a term that expresses the spirit of joy, pleasure, enthusiasm, cheerfulness, positivity and fun. The collection features six rings, two pairs of earrings, one bracelet and one pendant, with a sophisticated design that explores the abstract concepts of happiness, ecstasy and passion. Neha Dani began by imagining what a kefi idea might look like in material form. Next, she artfully captured her vision in a three-dimensional wax sculpture – the first and most indispensable step in creating each of her bold jewellery pieces.

Neha Dani Kephi blue sapphire ring in 18 carat gold

Neha Dani Kephi blue sapphire ring in 18 carat gold

 Neha Dani Kephi pink sapphire ring in 18 carat gold

Neha Dani Kephi pink sapphire ring in 18 carat gold

 Neha Dani Kephi purple sapphire ring in 18 carat gold

Neha Dani Kephi purple sapphire ring in 18 carat gold

 Neha Dani Kephi yellow sapphire ring in 18 carat gold

Neha Dani Kephi yellow sapphire ring in 18 carat gold

 Neha Dani Kephi Padparadscha sapphire ring in 18 carat gold

Neha Dani Kephi Padparadscha sapphire ring in 18 carat gold

 Neha Dani Kephi blue sapphire ring in 18 carat gold

Neha Dani Kephi blue sapphire ring in 18 carat gold

Jewellery that I design cannot be drawn because of the overlapping lines and the fluidity. That’s why I work directly with wax. My team and I, we create jewellery prototypes, break them up if we don’t like something and then resolder over and over again. – Neha Dani

After the Kephi wax models were made, the process of transforming the designs into jewellery was also undertaken by hand. Ornate curves and voluminous contours, symbolising a rising vortex of positive energy, were created by Neha’s jewellers in yellow, white or pink gold. Neha’s requirements for the gems in this collection were simple: they had to be untreated and utterly dazzling. Blue zircons, demantoid garnets, green tourmalines, Paraiba tourmalines and rubellites, as well as blue, pink, purple, orange and yellow sapphires are all combined to create unique colour combinations. These tonal mixes are far from traditional. Instead, they are exciting, creating a positive surge of energy in each jewel.

From wax model to finished piece, the process of creating each Nephi collection jewel is undertaken entirely by hand

From wax model to finished piece, the process of creating each Nephi collection jewel is undertaken entirely by hand

The drive for me is making bold statement pieces so that when someone wears them, they stand out and feel special – as if they were the most exceptional person. This is why I’m drawn to bold design. I left my home in India to study gems and pursue my dream of becoming a jewellery designer, which is not very typical for my culture, and I think that my rebellious nature is reflected in my designs. You can often see an unconventional mix of colours, even in these gold pieces. – Neha Dani

Neha Dani Kephi pink tourmaline, blue sapphire and diamond earrings

Neha Dani Kephi pink tourmaline, blue sapphire and diamond earrings

 Neha Dani green tourmaline, purple sapphire and diamond earrings

Neha Dani green tourmaline, purple sapphire and diamond earrings

In the case of the Kephi collection, Neha invites her clients to play a proactive role in making the rings by allowing them to choose a central sapphire from a broad palette of gems, prepared by Neha. By offering this service, she enables them to feel their own form of kefi, realised in a single jewel. A departure from her usual practice, this is the jeweller’s first experience of making jewellery that is not entirely one of a kind.

Neha Dani Kephi blue zircon and sapphire necklace

Neha Dani Kephi blue zircon and sapphire necklace

Rings with pre-selected gems cost between $30,000 and $40,000, while custom rings are priced according to each customer’s design requirements. The Kephi collection is already on display at Macklowe Gallery in New York and can also be viewed at Objet d’Emotion in London (by appointment only).

MELLERIO: New Color Queen Cocktail Rings are Joy in a Jewel

continue reading

Male Adornment: The Evolution of Men’s Jewellery from the 1400s Until Today

Men's jewellery is often overlooked, yet its history is both rich and cyclical. Over the past six centuries, the popularity of male adornments has fluctuated, reflecting shifts in fashion, status, and cultural values. Here, Amanda Triossi examines the reasons behind male jewellery, along with its periods of abundance and decline.

by Amanda Triossi

Perfect Proposal: The Top 10 Engagement Ring Mistakes to Avoid 

The moment you start thinking about proposing, everything shifts. Ordinary things become significant: dinner out, a walk in the park, a glance at their jewellery box. And then comes "the ring": a symbol of love, yes, but also a silent spokesperson for everything you feel and hope for. No pressure, right?

by Claire Roberts

Couture Show 2025: The Top 10 Debutants Heading to Las Vegas 

The much anticipated Couture Show will return to Wynn Las Vegas from June 4-8, 2025, shining a spotlight on established design talent, new creatives, and international brands that are vying for attention on the global stage. Just like in previous years, I am focusing my attention on the debutants

by Katerina Perez

Designing the Future: Revealing the Winners of the Katerina Perez x Osmium Institute Design Contest

What a ride it has been, witnessing such pure creative energy and original thinking, especially with a material as rare and futuristic as osmium

by Katerina Perez

New Icons: The Latest Collections by Italian Micromosaic Master SICIS 

I was presented with two striking new collections – Icon and Colibrì – that offer different interpretations of the SICIS aesthetic. Below, I want to give you a closer look at these capsule suites and tell you more about the inspirations behind them

by Katerina Perez

Fabulous Fabrications: TAOS Presents a Trio of Watches Inspired by Couture Fashion

Occasionally, beautiful timepieces demonstrating exceptional Métiers d’Art will land on our virtual desks and result in a round-robin series of emails. In the hours after we received insights into the emerging Swiss brand TAOS, almost the entire team had seen the fabric-inspired dials of its latest creations, and we all agreed that an article was […]

by Sarah Jordan

A Century of Sparkle: Celebrating 100 Years of Art Deco at GemGenève

From May 8-11, 2025, visitors to GemGenève can immerse themselves in a showcase of antique and modern jewellery while also experiencing the innovative spirit of the 1920s and 1930s through a photographic lens. Here, I'd like to tell you more about this creative collaboration and introduce you to the brands taking part…

by Katerina Perez

Tailored Perfection: The Best Jewellery Looks of the Met Gala 2025

Not since 2003 has a Met Gala theme focused exclusively on menswear, so we had high hopes for this year’s attendees demonstrating the best of tailored suiting adorned with high jewels. Let’s take a closer look at some of the best ensembles of the evening…

by Sarah Jordan

Legacy of Love: The Dreamlike Jewels of Emirati Designer Mariyeh Ghelichkhani

Jewellery is a transmitter of memories and emotions through time, which is something that Dubai-based designer Mariyeh Ghelichkhani knows all too well. During our meeting in Dubai, we spoke about the importance of family, the sweetness of finding joy through creativity, and the ability to translate dreamy visions and deep feelings into wearable pieces…

by Katerina Perez

Celebrating Colour: 20 Uplifting Jewellery Creations by Lisa Nik

Whether you're craving a juicy mandarin garnet or an eye-catching bi-colour tourmaline, here are 20 joyful pieces that exemplify the Lisa Nik approach, as well as the inspiration behind them…

by Sarah Jordan

Watches and Wonders 2025: The Coolest Watch Novelties

With pastel pops, Pop Art influences, and playful twists on time itself, Watches and Wonders 2025 delivered a vibrant feast of creativity. Discover the fun new watches setting trends in Geneva this spring

by Rachael Taylor

White Hot: Achromatic Jewellery is Having a Moment

Let’s explore the revival of all white jewellery and discover why this look is universally complementary – and a great investment.  

by Rachael Taylor

Latest Stories

Add articles and images to your favourites. Just

Reinventing Royalty:The European-Inspired Luxury Behind Isabel Gemology

I started 2025 with a series of articles titled ‘Jeweller of the Month’ to highlight the true talent among niche designers in the jewellery industry. For May, it is Isabel Delgado, the founder of Isabel Gemology, who I would like to shine the spotlight on.

by Katerina Perez

Jewels Katerina Perez Loves

Continue Reading

Writing Adventures:Co-Authoring the Book

Paraiba: The Legacy of a Color

by Katerina Perez

Jewellery Insights straight to your inbox

Style Guide

By using this website, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts. View our Privacy Policy for more information.