Boosting biz by selling real pearls at 'real' price

As long back as 25 years, Ramya Hyderabadi Real Pearls was started by Naganjaneyulu, who wanted to sell the best pearls and gain prominence in this industry. Having extreme passion for pearls, he began his business after completing his Class X.

His wife later joined and supported his business and has been helpful in selling various types of jewellery sets. "We have real pearls of any shape and size. We design all kinds of jewellery for various occasions from simple to bridal sets," says the owner. The shop also sells one gram gold items, red stones, Cz stones (Cubic Zirconia) and many more items. They also make and sell customised jewellery sets based on the occasion.

The store sells natural pearls which come in colours like white, grey and pink as well as coloured pearls, which are prepared using dyes. The store has also got different kinds of natural pearls in various shapes and dimensions including animal-shaped ones.

The prices at Hyderabadi real pearls, start from Rs 450 for a row and go up to Rs 10,000. The natural pearls can be tested by burning or by rubbing them continuously. Depending on the quality, size, shape and shine the rate of the pearls differ.

"Based on the order we get, we make the jewellery. If the necessary materials are available, we make jewellery in one hour and for customised jewellery, it might take 2 to 3 days, depending on the complexity," says the owner. The prices differ depending on size and shape of the jewellery set.

Natural pearls come from Andaman and Nicobar Islands, where the pearls are scooped out of the shells and are exported to Hyderabad. Since pearls are not needed there, they are sent directly to Hyderabad after they prepare various types of bracelets, hair clips and other kind of accessories.

Dealers help the business people in exporting pearls from Andaman and Nicobar Islands. Then, the jewellery sets are designed as per the customers' wish. "Here in our shop, we design and sell the desired type of pearls, through both online and offline means. We are also available on YouTube, Facebook and Instagram, by name Hyderabadi Real Pearls," says the shop owner.

Business is something which has to continue irrespective of circumstances. "Anyone beginning a business, does face problems but one has to cope with the challenges. Since the Central government is supporting the small and medium sized businesses through several funding and loan schemes, we have been able to run the business successfully," says Naganjaneyulu.

"The collection of natural pearls involves a lot of searching at the sea. Presently, there is a shortage of skilled people to carry out searching," says Anjaneyulu.

Processing of pearls is a continuous process. The task of searching pearls is perennial and the collected pearls are sent to the dealers instantaneously. Gathering pearls in the right sizes that are required for even a short necklace involves humongous effort.

"When Covid broke out, we didn't face any losses as the shop is government-supported. We didn't have to pay any rent for the shop. Other shop owners have to shell out a lot of money for rents. However, we did have slight problems at the home front during the Covid, but overcame them pretty soon," says the store owner.

After the resumption of business, the shop regained profits because an exhibition was conducted, which covered the losses incurred by the shop and made the business run at a smooth pace. The owner says that they have received many positive feedbacks, for selling the best quality pearls.

"We market our pearls through various social platforms like YouTube, Facebook, Instagram and several other channels. "We receive orders from many customers from Karnataka and Gujarat also. We have home delivery option as well, where we call our customers through WhatsApp video call and they can select their desired set online," says the shop owner.

After the payment, the jewellery set is sent via speed post, which reaches the customers in 2 to 3 days.

About the pearls being sold at other showrooms, the Naganjaneyulu says that there is no difference in the pearls the shop sells and the ones available in big showrooms. "The showrooms have to pay rent and they also have sales tax and VAT, hence they charge more for the same stuff. Here at our shop, we sell pearls directly without any of the mentioned cost addons," says the owner.

"As far as the display of the jewellery is concerned, in the showrooms, extra lighting facilities are arranged to attract customers, whereas we display pearls in natural lighting, without using any kind of hi-beam lights."

At government-supported shops, one cannot use hi-beam lights and everything is displayed in a natural way.

"Those who want to begin a business, should start with a minimum budget initially and gradually progress to a bigger business. An approximate amount of Rs 50,000 or so can be spent to start a business and slowly it can be taken to heights after gaining profits. It is not advisable to spend lakhs at once as it is risky," opines the store owner Naganjaneyulu.