Nita Ambani pairs a painterly floral sari with a rare Paraíba necklace

At a recent family celebration, Nita Ambani wore a sari with watercolour-style florals and a muted palette of greens, pinks and golds. The drape moved easily with her, and the bow tie detail at the back of the blouse stayed unobtrusive.

Here, the clothes provided a backdrop; what drew the eye was a necklace with a vivid blue-green gemstone, the hues for which Paraíba tourmalines are renowned. Electric-toned blues and greens are caused by trace amounts of copper and manganese in the mineral structure.

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Paraíba tourmaline was first discovered in the Brazilian state of Paraíba in the late 1980s, according to the International Gem Society, and introduced to the gem market at a 1990 industry event; its intense colour and relative scarcity quickly made it highly valued among coloured gemstones.

The necklace worn here sits long on the body, the stone’s hue dominating against the softer tones of the sari. With hair styled in gentle waves and warm makeup, there is a compositional hierarchy. Double diamond earrings sat close to the ear and understated accompanying jewellery kept the focus on the gemstone itself.

From Vogue’s fashion desk:

“To highlight jewellery and make it the focal point, opt for an off-shoulder dress or a boat-neck gown. Solid colour blocks in golds, pearls or neutrals keep the outfit clean so your accessories pop. Keep the rest minimal; subtle earrings and sleek hair lets the jewellery shine,” says Vogue India fashion associate Divya Balakrishnan.

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