The custom-crafted diamond was conceived to honor Sanghavi’s role in Gujarat’s development and his support for the diamond sector.
Surat: In a distinctive gesture celebrating Gujarat Deputy Chief Minister Harsh Sanghavi, ISGJ Jewellery College and diamond technology firm Lexus SoftMac have collaborated to produce a 10.07-carat premium brown diamond sculpture fashioned as a side-profile likeness of the leader. This one-of-a-kind diamond artwork was created as a tribute to Sanghavi’s contributions to the state and his visible support for the diamond and jewellery industry in Gujarat.
The initiative combined advanced design methodologies, precision engineering and specialised diamond manufacturing. ISGJ Jewellery College led the initial phases — including conceptual design, source-image analysis, facial mapping and 3D planning — while Lexus SoftMac executed the highly technical stages of cutting, polishing and final fabrication. Together, the teams bridged creative design and technical expertise to translate a photographic profile into a sculpted diamond form.
Developed over nearly four months, the project balanced multiple priorities: achieving a faithful facial likeness, maximising diamond yield and preserving optical performance and visual appeal. Crafting a facial replica in diamond demanded iterative digital modelling, photorealistic simulation and careful planning to determine the optimal facets, depth and angles for both sculpture and light interaction. The finished sculpture presents a detailed side-profile of Harsh Sanghavi, with the natural brown hue of the stone adding warmth, depth and definition to the sculpted features.
Kalpesh Desai, CEO of ISGJ Jewellery College, commented, “This project shows how design innovation, digital technology and traditional craftsmanship can combine to create a new form of diamond artistry.” He explained that the team’s process included extensive source-image mapping, profile analysis and photorealistic rendering to ensure the final design would capture Sanghavi’s likeness while respecting the unique properties of the diamond.
“Creating a facial replica in diamond is an exceptionally complex endeavour that requires detailed planning and artistic interpretation,” Desai added. “Our goal was twofold: to produce a recognisable and respectful likeness, and to demonstrate the capabilities of India’s jewellery and diamond industry in pushing the boundaries of material innovation and design.”
Utpal Mistry, Founder & Director of Lexus SoftMac, described the inspiration behind the project. He noted that earlier work on a diamond sculpture inspired by another figure sparked the idea to create a similar tribute for Sanghavi, whom the team regards as a symbolic “diamond” for the state because of his industry advocacy. Mistry emphasised the technical challenges involved in translating a 3D model into a polished diamond portrait.
“Converting a design concept and 3D model into a finished diamond portrait demands extreme precision in planning and cutting,” he said. “The process relies on advanced machining, expert lapidary skills and meticulous finishing to achieve the intended depth, shadowing and facial definition. The final result exceeded our expectations and bears a striking resemblance to Harsh Sanghavi. We were pleased with his positive response when the piece was presented.”
Beyond the immediate tribute, the project highlights the broader capacity of Surat and the Indian diamond cluster to convert creative concepts and photographic references into highly customised diamond sculptures for presentation, exhibition and private collection. It demonstrates how modern digital workflows — from image capture and facial mapping to 3D simulation and precision cutting — can expand the possibilities of gemstone art.
The creators describe the 10.07-carat premium brown diamond sculpture as a statement of innovation, leadership and artistic exploration. As a rare example of a fully custom facial replica executed entirely in diamond, the piece exemplifies a fusion of portrait artistry, cutting-edge technology and the exacting standards of diamond manufacturing. It also showcases Surat’s growing reputation for technical excellence and creative ambition within the global jewellery and diamond sectors.
This initiative underlines how the convergence of design, technology and craftsmanship can produce unique works that both honour individuals and advance the craft of diamond artistry, reflecting the potential for further experimentation and bespoke creation in the industry.