There is always a personal story when one invests in jewelry. For many, these precious items mark a special milestone in their lives. Some use them to further accentuate their personalities, while others purchase them for the gemstones' special meanings and power. All of these ideas are at the core of Kristine Dee’s latest collection. Dubbed “Essence,” the line allows the jeweler and industrial designer’s clients to mix and match pieces that embody who they are, what they need, and their very essence.
“They can be part of the process,” Dee tells Manila Bulletin Lifestyle. “Since they are going to be the ones wearing it, they can have a say in what they like. They can choose based on what they need or feel.”
It took eight to 10 months for Dee to produce the collection. During the process, she collaborated with Christine Dychiao, a certified KonMari consultant in the Philippines and mindful living advocate, to select the gems featured in the designs.
The collection consists of chains, connectors, and pendants adorned with various gemstones, allowing people to mix and match to create a one-of-a-kind necklace. Each piece is expertly handcrafted in 14k and 18k gold, with gemstones like carnelian, lapis lazuli, turquoise, and spiny oyster, among others, adding vibrant pops of color.
“The gemstones have a purpose and meaning. When you choose them, you make them your own. It becomes your unique DNA—your identity, capturing your individuality. It is your essence,” Dee says. “Every piece tells a story. They are not just jewelry, but beautiful pieces that hold meaning for us.”
To allow further personalization, the collection also features pendants in various shapes and letters, as well as a 12-month collection of connectors with birthstones. With its wide range of customizable options, one can create an elegant, truly unique necklace.
In addition to the customizable necklaces, the “Essence” collection also offers other pieces such as earrings and bangles. A standout is the Taylor earrings, a stunning pair featuring hexagon ruby cabochons with remarkable Ethiopian opal drops and diamonds. The bangles celebrate the beauty of duality with their use of different stones in one piece, like the Adele bangle with its bi-color tourmaline that mimics the aurora borealis, or the Carole bangle, which reflects a yin-and-yang aesthetic with its pairing of a white South Sea pearl and black diamond.
“We designed them as special pieces to wear when we want to tap into the energy we need for the day,” Dychiao muses. “They are treated with the care and reverence they deserve—honoring the beauty of the stone and crafting them to last, so they can be passed down as heirloom jewelry.”
Speaking of heirloom jewelry, Dee also highlighted her brand’s jewelry reworking service during the launch. Through this service, she gives inherited jewelry new life, transforming them into elegant, functional pieces that reflect her clients’ tastes and the present times.
“I enjoy working with people—their ideas give me inspiration. When I design, I consider their face shape, ears, hands, height, build, body shape, and how they dress. When they share their stories, I get a sense of who they are,” Dee explains. “My designs shine on them because they suit them best.”
The limited-edition “Essence” collection is available for purchase by directly messaging @kristinedeejewellery on Instagram. To see the pieces in person or to inquire about Kristine Dee Jewellery’s heirloom jewelry reworking service, you can book an appointment by contacting +63906-3264490.
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