?The customer is always right.? This could look like an attitude learned from his former job in hospitality but it is much more than that. When he opened his shop ten years ago, Saoud Khodadin never intended it to be an ordinary jeweller?s business. He had his own vision of how to do things and his recipe was obviously the right one?

No billboards, no posters, not even a sign on the roadside? If you didn?t know about it you would never guess the presence of such an up-market business in such surroundings. And yet, just after Quartier Militaire on the road to Fuel, there it is, on the right? hidden by the palm trees and other plants of his small garden.

Khadim Or & Argent is far from the traditional type of shop. ?Here everything is done for the convenience of customers. They do not even have to make the effort to come to see us - we take care of everything..?

First, a Range Rover will go and fetch customers; the driver will take them to the shop where they will be welcomed by Marie-Michelle and Saoud with a fresh fruit juice. Then they will all take a seat in the small reception room in the middle of the shop and discuss possible orders.

Customers will be able to make their choice among the precious or semi-precious stones ? topaz, diamond, emerald or the brand new tanzanite ? samples of jewels already in the shop. ?Customers can come with a precise idea of what they want. I will then design the piece of jewelry to the individual taste? which means that every single piece is unique and original.? Of course, some models are made for the shop; the designer bases himself on the trends he sees in international fairs such as the one in Hong-Kong. But most of the models are made on special request for customers.

When customers reach the shop, they undoubtedly must have the feeling of being privileged. This is why Khadim does not like anyone to pop in just to have a quick look. He wants to give special treatment to all visitors who come to his sanctuary. He insists on having time for everyone. No rush, no trade? All this is a matter of service. The owner is proud to confide that Khadim means ?servant?? The shop deserves its name.

<B>A majority of regulars</B>

During its ten years of existence, the shop has built up a strong reputation and most of the customers are regulars. ?This is our main reward, as we see people coming back to visit us each time they come to the country, then we know that they enjoyed their last visit? And this is most important for us,? explains Saoud. Moreover, prices at the shop are sometimes up to 60% cheaper than in Europe for instance. ?We go to Africa or South America ourselves to buy our stones and have them cut in Thailand, Africa or Mauritius. We even export our products to South Africa, Hong-Kong, Europe and neighbouring islands.?

Most of Khadim?s customers here are tourists ? even though ?some Mauritians are interested in buying our products?. They certainly will not feel disoriented when they go out from their hotels to come to the shop? If Saoud has learnt something from his former job ? he ended his career in the hotel industry as a resident manager ? it is certain that the customer must go back satisfied with the service provided. Of course, the several languages he has learnt are also very helpful in his new business.

But, after 25 years in the industry, he felt he needed a change: he wanted to launch out on his own. As he had always been interested in precious stones and jewelry, he looked at the possibilities and finally started his own business. ?I like to keep on learning so each time I go abroad to buy my stones, I try to learn a little bit more about the profession? It has become a real passion for me.?

With his experience and kindness, Saoud is there to advise all customers? And when you are leaving, do not forget to have a look at the greenhouse full of anthuriums outside? You will certainly get a little present from the owner!