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In an exclusive interview, renowned Hong Kong jewellery designer Wendy Yue shares insights into her latest collection, which centres on appreciating life and its beauty following the profound changes brought by the thing we no longer wish to speak of or remember, the pandemic.
“I believe that the Covid incident has really impacted how each of us wants to live our life and has put into perspective what really matters – our health, families and surroundings,” she explains. Nature continues to serve as her primary muse: “Our inspirations have always been nature because we believe preserving nature is what matters most to all of us.”
Yue views each creation as a unique artwork rather than mere jewellery. “Each piece we create is a piece of art for me, and I love each one as if it was my own child,” she says. Over the past decade, her brand has evolved from ghost designing to becoming a recognised name, steadfastly committed to originality: “We try to avoid being in the norm and love to create unique Art pieces whenever inspiration arises.”
As with innumerable luxury products and services, the pandemic marked a pivotal shift: “The world collectively going through fears together has in fact shifted our perspective. We believe people need an outlet, a way to express themselves and show their personality.” This has led to a more deliberate focus on emotionally resonant, one-of-a-kind designs that celebrate life's beauty.
Designs remain gender-neutral, prioritising personal connection. “I don’t design my pieces for a specific gender, anyone with whom it connects with. It is very important to us that my collectors have a genuine emotional connection to our art,” Yue emphasises. Her global clientele—from America, Japan, Europe, and the Middle East—engages personally, with pieces shared via Instagram (@wendyyuejewellery) rather than mass retail. Artistic influences include Wallace Chan’s fearless approach, alongside nature and architecture: “What I love most about creating art; it all comes from the heart.”
This emphasis on nature-inspired, emotionally meaningful pieces featuring opals, jade, and other coloured stones resonates strongly with current trends in Asia's jewellery market. The Asia-Pacific region continues to dominate, generating substantial revenue and projected to grow at a CAGR of around 5.9% from 2026 to 2033. Rising demand for individuality fuels the coloured gemstone sector, with reports highlighting booming interest in vibrant, unique stones amid high gold prices that encourage lighter, gem-focused alternatives.
The collection emphasises dynamic, light-responsive stones such as opals and jade. “Opals and Jade are stones I’m always drawn to and find it fascinating with the colour reflections due to lights and surroundings, the colour even changes depending on our body chemical reactions such as temperature or body moisture,” Yue notes.
She pairs these with diamonds and coloured sapphires to produce visually captivating works that “elicit joy.” A standout example is a pair of earrings inspired by Mykonos: “One of my earrings is inspired from Mykonos – my favourite place in the world... I created a pair of beautiful earrings using baroque pearls, turquoise and opals representing the gorgeous hues seen in the water surrounding the island.”
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No surprises, jade remains particularly prominent in Asia, symbolising virtue and protection, while opals align with the preference for iridescent, personality-driven designs. Industry analyses note optimism for coloured gems in 2026, driven by potential economic recovery, luxury demand, and a structural shift where coloured gemstones, jade, and organic materials gain share over pressured natural diamonds. Events like Jewellery & Gem ASIA Hong Kong underscore this, positioning coloured stones at the forefront for 2026.
In the broader global context, the jewellery market shows resilience into 2026. The gemstone market is forecasted to expand from US$38.4 billion in 2026 to US$72.8 billion by 2036 at a 6.6% CAGR, according to Future Market Insights, with coloured and traceable natural stones leading premium segments. Coloured gemstone-specific forecasts indicate around 6.1% CAGR through 2031, supported by luxury consumption and ethical sourcing. Sustainability, provenance, and bespoke elements drive growth, alongside bold, sculptural statements that allow jewellery to express individuality against minimalist fashion.
High-end consumers increasingly seek narrative-driven, rare pieces, with coloured gems outperforming in investment appeal. Yue’s approach—crafting heartfelt, nature-evoking art with shifting hues from opals and jade—aligns seamlessly with these trajectories. "I don’t design my pieces for a specific gender, anyone with whom it connects with," she says. "It is very important to us that my collectors have a genuine emotional connection to our art. Over the past decades, we try to avoid being in the norm and love to create unique art pieces."
Follow the designer and see her collection on her official Instagram @WendyYueJewellery
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