Jade is a symbol of prosperity and success that simultaneously radiates a timeless elegance. Yet, the precious stone is often deemed old-fashioned and only suitable for more mature women. Royan Jade seeks to dismantle this outdated stereotype, disrupting the jewellery market with a contemporary vision of versatile accessories that can be worn daily.
Founder Linda Lam grew up around jade, accumulating a rich knowledge of the precious gemstone while determinedly exploring how to share her appreciation of the stone with others. A steadfast believer that life is about the chances we take and the choices we make, Linda takes her expertise in jade and uses it to masterfully inject her vivacious energy and life philosophy into each and every design for Royan Jade. We sat down with the designer to learn more about her aspirations for the brand, alongside future plans of international expansion.
Have you always wanted to be a jewellery designer? What prompted you to establish Royan Jade?
Not exactly. It just happened, really. I have always enjoyed expressing my feelings and thoughts through artistic channels, and jewellery design is a medium that I am excited to work with. Simply put, Royan Jade captures my life experiences, which are the inspirations for my designs.
What inspired you to focus on jade jewellery and redefine it?
The conventional perception of jade tends to be rather traditional, but largely only because of the conservative designs that currently saturate the market. The way I see jade is that its potential is understated – it is one of the most versatile gemstones, and its great variety in size, shape and colour makes it all the more intriguing to explore. Through my contemporary designs, I hope to provide people with a new perspective to appreciate this gemstone.
Your collection includes many geometric elements. Where does your inspiration come from?
Mostly from my soul-searching journey in life. Among my commonly used patterns, broken pieces signify destruction, while circular patterns signify healing from within. Past memories, such as scenes in my dreams, and thoughts that spring up during times of solitude play a part as well.
From “Roulette” and “Embrace” to “Confession”, how do you decide the theme for each collection? What is the main difference between each?
The theme “Roulette” was created to describe my overarching philosophy of life – that life is about chances and the choices we make.
“Confession” encapsulates the profound nature of love and how it continues to guide me through the darker times in life.
“Embrace”, on the other hand, is the theme for the collection of collaborations with other brands and artists.
What does jewellery mean to you as a woman? How do you feel about creating jewellery from a woman to a woman?
To me, jewellery is the epitome of identity, beliefs, attitude, and self-expression. Women, the intuitive, compassionate way that we are, understand other women best. With my feminine lens, I think my designs can enable other women to explore the world of beauty that is uniquely ours.
What is your plan for 2021 and beyond?
I would like to take Royan Jade beyond Hong Kong and collaborate with international artists to reach different parts of the world.
Royan Jade, Shop 303, Lee Garden One, Causeway Bay ; royanjade.com
www.instagram.com/royanjade
In Partnership with Royan Jade
Editor
Karma CheungCredit
Lead image: Courtesy of Royan Jade
