Shyam Gems Trading Corp.

You have to walk up to the second floor at 338, Lalaniyon Ka Chowk to find us. Gopal Ji Ka Rasta is always crowded, so getting here can be a bit of a squeeze. Shyam Gems Trading Corp. is basically just a few of us working in a small space with lots of little packets. We deal with all kinds of stones and gems. Most of our day is spent looking through magnifying glasses at small details. It’s quiet work, unlike the noisy street outside. We have a couple of old desks and some very bright lamps. Sometimes the lighting in the building flickers, but we make do. We don’t really have a showroom; it’s more of a place where we trade and sort things out. People who know the gem trade find their way up the stairs eventually. We’ve been at this spot for a good while, and the walls could probably use a new coat of paint. It’s a practical setup. We spend hours counting and weighing things on tiny scales. If we’re busy, there might be paper everywhere, but we know what’s in every pile. We aren't trying to be the biggest shop in the market, just a reliable one. It’s a lot of sitting and focusing, which can be tiring for the eyes. But we like the routine of the market and the people who drop by for business every afternoon.