Starting her career in the City at 19, Sonal's talent for jewellery came to light after joining investment bank Goldman Sachs. 
 
Her fascination with gemstones began at 22, with her first purchase of a strand of rough cut aquamarines from India and
a handful of Murano beads she stumbled across in London.  
 
Drawn to their unique facets and colour, her random curiosity developed into a secret indulgence. growing over a few
months to become an enviable treasure trove of gemstones from all over the world, proving an exotic distraction from the corporate world.
 
At 23, the sudden loss of Sonal's father and aunt, coupled with a demanding career, unearthed a need for a creative
escape and she was soon intrigued with turning her striking collection of stones into modern, vibrant and wearable adornments that brought out each stone's individual beauty, whilst sharing with the wearer stories and traditions of
Sonal's Indian heritage.  
 
Spending all her free time teaching herself to make jewellery, she created her first range, Tribal Decadence in 2009. 
 
Inspired by India's rich culture, the vibrant clash of colours, the opulence of traditional jewellery and ornateness of tribal adornments, Sonal's designs soon attracted the attention of family, friends and colleagues and, with orders increasing
through word of mouth, set the wheels in motion for the start of her first statement jewellery label, Eastern Mystic. 
 
In September 2009, Sonal was awarded a place on the first KICKSTART initiative, a launchpad for selected fledgling
designers to be introduced to the commercial world of jewellery at trade show International Jewellery London, and saw
this as the perfect platform to launch her brand. 
 
Now housed by stockists and boutiques in the UK and abroad with a growing client base, Eastern Mystic is fast becoming
a label recognised for its uniquely bold and seductive tribal style, with pieces featured in Harper's Bazaar, Grazia, Stylist,
The Telegraph and Cosmopolitan to name but a few. 
 
Sept 2009: Sonal is awarded a place on the first KICKSTART initiative at IJL, Eastern Mystic is launched 
 
May 2010: Eastern Mystic wins competition by trade magazine Professional Jeweller, voted by a panel and readers to exhibit at London Jewellery Week, marking the brands first retail show presence. 
 
August 2010: Sonal is honoured on the Professional Jeweller HOT 100 list 2010 as a "Hot 100 NexGem" sponsored by Swarovski, and as a founding member. 
 
June 2011: Eastern Mystic's "Chained" Statement necklace is selected as WGSN Editors Choice for London Jewellery Week 
 
2012: This will see the Launch of her second label, Sonal Talgeri-Bhaskaran London, showcasing an architectural slant to her signature East-Meets-West style, merging industrial form and Indian Symbolism to create eye-catching and easy-to-wear statement pieces in gold, silver, bronze alongside alternative materials.   
 
While both brands are distinct in style, they share Sonal's passion of making and designing dramatic, head-turning pieces that transform cultural influences and aspects of her Indian heritage into contemporary yet glamourous statement jewellery 
 
Each piece is handcrafted by Sonal in London and made in limited editions.
 
Awards
 
WGSN Editor's Choice | London Jewellery Week | June 2011
"Chained" Necklace from the Mayon Collection selected as WGSN's Editors Choice 
http://www.easternmystic.com/p183/Chained-Gunmetal+Gold-Necklace/product_info.html
 
Professional Jeweller Hot 100 NexGem: Sonal Talgeri-Bhaskaran | Sept 2010
Selected as founder member of the Professional Jeweller Hot 100 List 2010 in the NexGems Category
http://www.professionaljeweller.com/in-depth/hot-100/
 
Professional Jeweller/Treasure Competition | London Jewellery Week | June 2010
Winner of the Professional Jeweller/Treasure competition for London Jewellery Week
http://www.professionaljeweller.com/article-7598-treasure-competition-shortlist-unveiled/
 
Contemporary Designers Exhibit at the CMJ | Feb 2010 & July 2010
Selected as one of 8 contemporary designers to exhibit at  the CMJ Buyers Meeting for the first time.
http://www.masterjewellers.co.uk/
http://www.professionaljeweller.com/article-7564-contemporary-designers-show-at-cmj-for-first-time/
 
KICKSTART | Sept 2009 | Eastern Mystic Launch
Awarded one of 10 places as an upcoming designer on the first KICKSTART initiative, Sponsored by IJL and supported by the BJA.