Kastiya Jewels

You can find us at Plot No. A-1 on Takhte Shahi Road, right near the RBI building. Being so close to the bank is a good landmark for people trying to find us for the first time. The shop is small and the lighting inside is bright so we can actually see what we are doing with the small stones and metal. It’s a lot of sitting and looking through magnifying glasses. My back usually aches by five o'clock. We have been in this spot for a good number of years. The traffic on Takhte Shahi Road can get pretty loud during the day, but once you close the door, it’s mostly just the sound of the small tools tapping away. We have a safe in the back that is older than I am. Most of our regulars are people from the nearby streets who have known us since we started. We spend a lot of time cleaning the glass cases because fingerprints get everywhere. There is always a pot of water boiling for tea in the back room. Sometimes a customer will sit and talk for an hour even if they aren't buying anything. That’s just how it goes here. We don’t have a big staff, just a couple of us who know the trade. It’s steady work and it keeps the lights on. The street gets nice in the evening when the sun goes down behind the buildings.