Khepri Gives New Meaning to Fine Jewellery
Khepri was founded on the belief that jewellery should evolve with its wearer. Rather than viewing diamonds and gemstones as symbols of the past, the brand embraces them as materials to be transformed and repurposed. This approach reflects a deeper cultural appreciation for heirlooms—pieces meant to last for generations rather than follow fleeting trends. With a focus on craftsmanship, quality, and meaning, Khepri’s presence at Harvey Nichols–Dubai connects with women who appreciate fine jewellery as both a personal statement and a lasting investment.
Cake The Mag spoke with Khepri designer and founder Reema Chopra about transforming heirlooms, redefining fine jewellery, and creating pieces that carry meaning across generations. Read along to find out more.
Cake The Mag: Your journey with Khepri began with helping a friend transform her engagement ring into a new beginning. How did that moment shape your philosophy as a designer?
Reema Chopra: Diamonds do not carry negative energy, and it is often impossible to know a stone’s complete history or whether it has been resold. For this reason, I reject the Western belief of discarding a diamond due to bad energy from events like broken marriages. Instead, I encourage women to view these stones as blank canvases—ready to be transformed into something uniquely personal rather than sold at a low value driven by emotion. When I transformed my friend’s engagement ring from her previous marriage into what is now known as a cartouche necklace, she set aside its past meaning, embracing it as a symbol of a fresh start.
In ancient Egypt, Khepri was the scarab-faced god of the morning sun and rebirth, representing creation and the renewal of life. Consequently, the scarab beetle became a symbol of renewal and rebirth, playing a significant role in Egyptian jewellery worn by both the living and the dead.
What inspired you to create modern heirlooms rather than follow fast-moving jewellery trends?
I believe in my culture and traditions. Jewellery has always been an integral part of our festivities and celebrations. By the time I was born, I had already received my first piece—either a new design or something passed down from my grandmother or great-grandmother. There is something magical about that feeling, which is why I always encourage my clients to repurpose diamonds and old jewellery. They may not yet understand the significance of these pieces, but as they grow older and gain wisdom, they will regret selling them.
I have never been someone who follows trends or falls into passing fads. Whether in clothing or jewellery, I seek pieces with longevity—designs that will stand the test of time. My goal in creating modern heirlooms was to design jewellery that transcends time and remains relevant for generations to come.
You personally select every stone for your collections. What do you look for beyond the traditional markers of quality?
Whether coloured or white diamonds, I focus on cut, lustre, and fire—these are the most crucial aspects of a stone. A colourless diamond with a mediocre cut will never compare to a near-colourless stone with an exceptional cut. The stone with the superior cut will always outshine the rest. That is why I personally source and select each stone myself. I often say, “I look for stones with life.”
Your love for emeralds began in Jaipur’s Rambagh Palace gardens. Can you tell us more about that moment and what drew you to the stone?
I had taken a break from the jewellery business and was in Jaipur sourcing marble for a project in New York. During my stay at Rambagh Palace, I met a gem dealer who showed me some astonishingly beautiful Colombian emeralds. Growing up in India, I was accustomed to darker Zambian emeralds, which were commonly worn by women. These Colombian emeralds, however, were unlike anything I had seen before—fresh, mesmerising, and reminiscent of the ocean.
Their striking yet casual appearance fascinated me. I decided to purchase a significant number of them, primarily for personal use. I set them in a simple 18k gold setting, overlayed in 22k for contrast, and wore them daily. To this day, I never leave my home without them, nor do my clients. I wear an 11-carat Colombian emerald pendant on a 24-inch chain, and despite its size, it never feels out of place for everyday wear due to the soft, luminous colour of the stones I handpick.
Emeralds are deeply tied to energy, renewal, and elegance. Have you experienced their transformative power personally or through your clients?
Growing up, I didn’t believe in the energy of stones and often criticised my mother for her faith in them. However, after purchasing those emeralds in Jaipur and having them set, I began wearing them almost immediately. Within weeks, my life underwent a transformation—almost like a miracle. Beyond their beauty, these emeralds rekindled my passion for jewellery and design, and just six months later, Khepri was born.
Interestingly, strangers would often approach me, drawn to the stone’s energy. When my clients purchased them, they shared similar experiences. I began researching emeralds and discovered that they have long been associated with transformation, particularly when they are lighter, more translucent shades of green. These are the emeralds I travel great lengths to source—not only for their aesthetic beauty but for the energy they bring to the wearer. They are the only coloured gemstones in my collection, aside from fancy-coloured diamonds, because I believe in passing on the same luck and magic that I experienced.
The star symbol is a recurring motif in your designs. What does it represent for you and the wearer?
The scarab beetle uses the Milky Way’s bright streak of starlight as a compass to navigate on moonless nights. According to ancient Egyptian wisdom, every day, a scarab beetle pushes the sun towards the horizon to mark a new dawn. Khepri is the divine manifestation of this eternal tradition.
I finish each design with a star—it is my way of reminding my clients to find their own guiding light during difficult times and to push forward towards their own new beginnings.
How do you balance the boldness of statement pieces with the timelessness of heirloom design?
I achieve this by using larger stones while keeping the settings classic and simple. I don’t overcomplicate my designs because my goal is to create wearable jewellery that stands the test of time, both for the wearer and for generations to come.
What do you hope women feel when they wear a Khepri piece?
I want them to feel comfortable in their own skin—strong, yet deeply connected to their femininity. Just like clothing, jewellery serves as a form of armour, shaping how we present ourselves before we even speak.
Middle Eastern women have a deep appreciation for fine jewellery, often collecting pieces as modern heirlooms. How does having Khepri at Harvey Nichols–Dubai connect you with this audience, and how do you see women from the region resonating with Khepri’s deeper meaning?
Middle Eastern women share many similarities with South Asian women, like myself. Culturally, we are comfortable wearing large, ornate jewellery casually, unlike in North America, where such pieces might only be worn at a wedding or special event.
As I grew older and developed my personal style, I found myself reluctant to wear the traditional, oversized jewellery that had been passed down to me. I loved the beauty of large stones but preferred to wear them in a modern, timeless way.
Middle Eastern women exist in a unique cultural space. While women in other parts of the world often struggle to balance femininity with strength, women in this region embrace both seamlessly. That is why this market is so important to me. When we partnered with Harvey Nichols, my hope was that these pieces would resonate with them—jewellery that allows them to express themselves with bold, feminine, and effortlessly elegant designs that can be cherished for generations.
If you could create a custom piece for any historical or modern figure, who would it be and why?
Sheikha Moza bint Nasser Al-Missned. She embodies the kind of woman I design for—someone who balances extremes effortlessly. She is fierce and powerful yet delicate and feminine. She is glamorous yet appears completely effortless, as if she simply woke up that way.
In today’s world, where many women struggle to find that balance, she exemplifies it with grace.
