<p><span class="p-body">Diamonds are forever for Priyank Shah, a 2014 NYU SPS Division <a href="/content/sps-nyu/about/academic-divisions-and-departments/division-of-programs-in-business.html" title="MS in Integrated Marketing">MS in Integrated Marketing</a> graduate. Representing the third generation in a lineage that has brought rough diamonds from the far reaches of Africa, Russia, and Australia, then to India for finishing. Shah's innovation as an electronic engineer led him to take the lead as the director of Creative Jewel Tech.</span></p>
A Legacy Reimagined
<p><span class="p-body">"The jewelry market in India is a whole world unto itself," Shah states, emphasizing the perpetual demand for diamonds and gold, which hold both emotional and investment value. Despite his engineering background, the allure of the diamond industry and the potential for innovation within it drew Shah back to the family business—a decision propelled forward by his experiences and education at NYU SPS.</span></p>
<p><span class="p-body">Choosing NYU SPS was a deliberate move for Shah, who was an electronic engineer before moving to the US for his graduate studies. Drawn to its prime location and stellar reputation, he sought to immerse himself in the creative and analytical aspects of digital marketing, a field just blossoming in India. "It's like using both sides of your brain," he remarks, highlighting the balanced approach to education fostered here.</span></p>
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Finding A Bridge Between Tradition and Technology
<p><span class="p-body">Shah hit the ground running when he arrived in NYC. His ventures into the marketing departments of Christie's and Henri Daussi Jewelers, coupled with his graduate diamonds credential from the Gemological Institute of America, solidified his passion for the jewelry industry. He also took the time to travel across the globe "to learn new things, get inspired, relive history through architecture, connect with people, soak in nature, and get insights."</span></p>
<p><span class="p-body">Eventually, however, his interest in new technologies and the advent of advanced manufacturing CNC (Computerized Numerically Controlled) machinery in the jewelry sector enticed him back to his roots and the family business. "We are proud to be pioneers in the jewelry space using CNC," he says. "It is a very cool technology and has the capability to create infinite combinations and designs. It optimizes design, technology, data, and analytics and blends the old and new methods."</span></p>
<p><span class="p-body">This is Shah's vision for the future of the diamond industry—one where tradition is met with innovation.</span></p>
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Looking Beyond Diamonds
<p><span class="p-body">As a multitasker, Shah has no problem juggling new ideas and projects. In addition to his own business, he has partnered with Imaginarium, a leading rapid-manufacturing company that uses cutting-edge technologies like 3D Printing to bring ideas to life and speed up new product development. The process has applications across industries such as automotive, aerospace, medical devices, consumer electronics, jewelry, and more.</span></p>
<p><span class="p-body">For Shah, CNC and 3D technology can work together in ways that might have previously been overlooked. "The 3D printer will use the input material—powder or liquid—and deposit it layer by layer as per the given computer-aided design … 3D is an additive technology while CNC is subtractive manufacturing," he explains.</span></p>
<p><span class="p-body">Now, Shah is excited about transforming his company from a product-manufacturing entity into a luxury-as-a-service business. "I believe our collections will touch you since a piece of art is not just made of gold and diamonds but, more importantly, the intangibles: values, creativity, insights, acumen, craftsmanship, energy, hard work, and love," he asserts.</span></p>
<p><span class="p-body">Priyank Shah's story is a compelling example of how NYU SPS empowers its students to lead change in their industries. See how you can make an impact with an <a href="/content/sps-nyu/about/academic-divisions-and-departments/division-of-programs-in-business.html" title="MS in Integrated Marketing">MS in Integrated Marketing</a> today.</span></p>