This week on Conversations with Chai, we’re stepping into the glittering, high-stakes world of New York's Diamond District with none other than Chandan the Jeweler — a go-to name for top Punjabi artists and a rising force in the high-end jewelry space, crafting custom pieces that can hit a $250K price tag.We break down the real difference between TikTok jewelry and true luxury, lab-grown vs. natural diamonds, and the finesse it takes to sell to artists you grew up listening to. From Ihram's wild high-stakes poker stories to Chandan's tales of big-ticket sales and emotional engagements, this episode is full of gems — literally and figuratively.Timestamps include:1:44 – Lab-grown vs. natural diamonds for engagement rings9:33 – TikTok jewelers vs. real high-end craftsmen (Moses and Vookum)12:55 – The most expensive piece Chandan has ever sold18:00 – Selling to Desi artists and repping the culture21:50 – Transactional relationships in the industry33:00 – Why jewelers sell to other jewelers35:27 – Are we all being overcharged?40:00 – The dark side of the Diamond DistrictIf you've ever been curious about how flex culture, cultural pride, and real wealth intersect in the world of jewelry — this one’s for you.
