Pooja Duggal's journey into the world of fine jewelry is a testament to dedication and an unwavering passion for diamonds. After nearly two decades immersed in the intricacies of the jewelry business, coupled with a lifelong fascination with gemstones, she embarked on a new chapter by establishing her own venture, Escape Privé, in 2025. This Dubai-based brand embodies a philosophy of 'Intelligent Luxury,' focusing on the meticulous craftsmanship and personalization of pieces featuring lab-grown diamonds. Duggal's extensive background, including her significant tenure at the Rapaport Group and her early exposure to the diamond trade through her mother's passion, has equipped her with a unique perspective on the industry.
The Ascent of Escape Privé: A Blend of Expertise and Personal Vision
In a world where heritage often dictates entry into the fine jewelry sector, Pooja Duggal stands out as a pioneering first-generation entrepreneur. Having no family legacy to inherit, her path to founding Escape Privé, a Dubai-based fine jewelry company, was paved by profound industry knowledge and an insatiable curiosity. Duggal, a GIA-certified gemologist, dedicated 13 years to the Rapaport Group, serving as its managing director in India. During this pivotal period, her work spanned major diamond hubs globally, including India, Israel, Belgium, Hong Kong, Dubai, and New York. This extensive experience allowed her to meticulously inspect over two million diamonds, cultivating an unparalleled understanding of what truly defines a diamond's beauty, quality, and intrinsic value.
Her brand, Escape Privé, launched in February 2025, champions an 'Intelligent Luxury' approach. This philosophy emphasizes the use of ethically sourced lab-grown diamonds, meticulously crafted designs, and a strong focus on personalization. Duggal's earliest memories of jewelry trace back to her mother, an avid diamond collector in Mumbai who purchased directly from wholesalers and collaborated with artisans to create bespoke pieces. This formative experience, including taking a diamond course with her mother at age 15, ignited Duggal's passion and set her on an irreversible career trajectory. An internship at a Mumbai jewelry factory further cemented her understanding, culminating in her designing a diamond necklace at 17, a piece now cherished by her own daughter—a symbol of enduring value beyond monetary worth.
Duggal's career at Rapaport, beginning in January 2004, provided an expansive view of the diamond market. She gained insight into diverse aspects, from diamond trading and auctions to pricing, production, and certification services across major global trading centers. At Rapaport India, she managed operations overseeing approximately $4.5 billion worth of diamonds annually for GIA certification. This exposure revealed the multifaceted nature of the industry, encompassing pricing, liquidity, supply, demand, manufacturing, consumer confidence, and market nuances. After her departure from Rapaport in 2017, and subsequent personal milestones, Duggal felt compelled to establish her own brand. Her decision to focus on lab-grown diamonds for Escape Privé, a name thoughtfully suggested by her husband, encapsulates her vision of luxury as a deeply personal expression, unbound by conventional definitions or expectations.
Reflections on Redefining Luxury and Legacy
Pooja Duggal's journey is an inspiring narrative of turning deep industry expertise and a personal vision into a thriving enterprise. Her commitment to 'Intelligent Luxury' through lab-grown diamonds not only addresses contemporary demands for ethical sourcing but also redefines what luxury means in an evolving market. Her story highlights the power of knowledge, the importance of personal passion, and the ability to forge new paths in established industries. By focusing on bespoke craftsmanship and personalized experiences, Escape Privé offers consumers an opportunity to connect with jewelry on a deeper, more meaningful level, creating pieces that carry stories and transcend generations.
