The early years were particularly demanding in Saurashtra, a land known for inflicting hardship and privation on all its inhabitants. In 1908, Durlabhji Tribhuvan, who hailed from a family of jewellers in Morvi, migrated to Jaipur, a city fabled for its hospitality to jewellers. Soon, all his sons were embroiled in business, and travelling overseas to set up operations.
In 1936, the youngest son, Khailshanker, settled down in Paris – where he remained until the outbreak of World War II in 1939. As the movement of gemstones became hazardous, Khailshanker returned to India. Upon the death of Durlabhji Tribhuvan in 1941, the two brothers – Vanaichand and Khailshanker – came together to form R.V. Durlabhji, a firm that endured until 1957 whence R.Y. Durlabhji was created.
