About

I am a first-generation jeweler and gemologist born in a land blessed by nature. My stone obsession developed early in life when I collected every kind of crystal and amusing rock I could get my hands on. I would travel to the desert and search in abandoned quartz, lapis lazuli and chalcedony mines for crystals and specimens.

During my school days, I started working with copper and silver, making my first jewelry pieces. I also got familiar with hot enamelling technique. After finishing high school I entered university, majoring in biological sciences and later graduating as a DVM (doctor in veterinary medicine). Science was in my blood and the gem bug had struck hard on me, but I never thought of turning this passion into a full-time obsession and work.

It was only later in life when I took an opportunity to work in Japan, that I understood. I was playing with a small black Tourmaline crystal, that I found in a small crystal shop in the Okachimachi district in Tokyo, that I suddenly knew. I had an epiphany and I saw in my mind all the stones and crystals I had had in the past, the jewelry I had made, all accompanied by strong emotions and memories of those moments. I understood the harmony between the landscape and the aesthetic tradition that evolved from the distinctive Japanese culture. There was a hidden balance between materials, design, colors, function and how these relate to the environment. Something I am still exploring today. I saw a path, a new path to an unknown direction full of new challenges and future joy.

A few years later I was in NYC, designing, sketching getting my G.G. at GIA, moved to Bangkok and jumped head first into the gem and jewelry trade. I have been based in Bangkok since 2017 learning, creating and growing. I invite you to come and visit my jewelry studio, look at my work, drink some Pu’er tea and maybe create something beautiful together.

— Luis Merry Del Val