India-born Kailash Jhalani has been in New York since 1974, where he decided to establish what he knows the best – creating a woman’s best friend – jewelry. “New York was and is the leading diamond center of the world,” he begins. Over a period of time, he developed a comprehensive mastery of every aspect of these best friends – from conceptualizing its theme to the details of execution. “In cultures across the world, a lot of new relationships begin with a piece of jewelry, gemstones or diamonds – a newborn, a new relationship, mother to daughter, mother to daughter-in-law, to son-in-law, siblings – women see it as a way of liberation today, of empowerment. To me, it simply translates to ‘rise’.”
Kailash has been drawn to gems and jewelry ever since he decided to stand on his own. Hard-headed and determined, he has worked as a jeweler for more than 47 years now and has come to believe in not just the intrinsic beauty of gems and stones but also in the symbolism and personal meaning behind each piece.
Prompt Gem Importers Inc is the fruit of a timehonored understanding and an extraordinary level of precision. He started this company in 1975 and has made it a well-respected premium diamond and gemstone jewelry company in New York. It today is known for dealing in rare collectible color diamonds like blue diamonds, red diamonds, pink diamonds, orange diamonds and vivid yellow diamonds, as well as gemstones like rubies, emeralds and sapphires. “I once had the world’s largest natural blue sapphire weighing around 500 carats that I sold forward,” he says with a 24-carat smile as he talks more about his work.
He believes that one must not give up on their passion and dreams. “If at first you do not sparkle you must bling-bling again!”
A Diamond was Born
Kailash never shields away from telling his story. He comes from a Jaipur-based industrialist family. His father, Radha Vallabh, dealt in iron, steel and building materials business, with offices in Kota, Delhi, Kanpur and Mumbai, with as many as 500 employees in their rolling mill in Jaipur. His father also had an electric appliances shop. He was born on July 07, 1941, fifth in line of six kids. His mother, Suraj Devi, raised all six kids with much love and care. She nurtured empathy and encouraged and taught them to be successful and kind. The Marwari business secrets were passed on to him early on: Work hard, appreciate life and aspire to be a spectacular entrepreneur.
He completed his schooling from Khandelwal High School, Jaipur and studied science for his graduation from the University Maharaja’s College, Jaipur, in 1961. Soon after, he joined his father’s company, Radha Ballabh & Sons. The company was appointed by the Government of India as a control stockist for steel. In the 1960s, they were the largest supplier of steel to all major government departments and the private sector in Rajasthan. In an arranged setting, Kailash got married to Lalita in 1964 and the newlywed couple moved to Bombay (now Mumbai).
All the work that he had done till now was just a preparation for what he was to approach in future. In Bombay, he started researching his work all the more on the way to become an entrepreneur and dealing with real life situations with much poise. In 1965, he went to Calcutta (now Kolkata) to open yet another branch and… voila! Success was his – he successfully opened and operated it. Few years later, the idea of starting a new business overseas struck him.
Unburdened with the responsibility of the family business, which was well-taken care of by his elder brothers, Kailash packed his bags to go on an enlightening world tour in 1970. After exploring Asia and Europe, gathering ideas, analyzing markets, he reached the US in 1974 – with just the right kind of inspiration.
He landed in New York – the city that never sleeps – to give a fine shape to his shimmering dreams.
Building That Bling!
He saw an opportunity in jewelry industry and began trading in the precious and semi-precious stones market. He has other business interests including being a Director of Proserve Consulting Inc, a business processing outsourcing company. Kailash has received a lot of appreciation from many leaders of the corporate world. He was Vice President of the Indian Diamond and ColorStone Association of NYC (IDCA). Presently, he is a member of American Gem Trade Association (AGTA), Jewelers Board of Trade (JBT) and Manufacturing Jewelers and Suppliers of America (MJSA).
He has always been involved in community affairs. Earlier in his career, his family and he built a small hospital in his ancestral village and then left it to the entreaty of the government to run for the people of his community. He is also a shareholder of the Jaipur-based Eternal Multispeciality Hospital which was founded by Dr Samin Sharma.
“In all my endeavors, what prompted me all the more has been Lalita’s interest and enthusiasm. We share our passion for work and decide our path into social work. Her kindness, compassion and encouraging nature have made me who I am today!” Lalita, an ideal Indian lady and a doting mother, is also the Vice President at Prompt Gem.
Their son, Shailesh, owner and Vice President of Prompt Gems, was recently voted in as the President of (IDCA). “I like the challenges we face in the jewelry industry. And I like how every day comes with a new situation and scope for a lot of growth. IDCA is a leading not-for-profit association. It already has a good reputation globally, and I hope Shailesh takes it to the next level. I’d really like to see him implementing the best of practices of the past presidents and yet innovate to bring a new energy to the Association.” Shailesh is married to Manisha, who works with Shailesh at Prompt Gems. They have three kids, Shalina, Sonam and Shrey.
Shalina went to Cornell and then did her masters from London School of Economics, and now works at Guggenheim, New York. Sonam is an Arts graduate from Columbia University, New York, and is now interning at a law firm. Shrey is a high school student who has already earned himself a place at the Early Action Program of Harvard University.
“My grandchildren are my pride! They are very talented and smart young individuals and I learn something new from them every day. I enjoy my time with my wonderful family and I thank God every day that I have such an amazing and supportive family.”
A true Rajasthani, he fulfills his duty to serve his community and finds a way to stay connected to his roots. The Jhalanis actively support the Jaipur Foot and Bhagwan Mahaveer Viklang Sahayata Samiti (BMVSS). They handsomely donate to Akshaya Patra too.