THERE is an intrinsic and timeless connection between Indians and gold jewellery.
Hindus, in particular, view gold as having an auspicious quality. Gold is used to mark festive occasions and celebrations and even used in religious ceremonies, representing purity and divinity, as it's linked to the Goddess Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth and prosperity.
Chelvy Samuel grew up with an appreciation for gold at an early age as her father was a traditional Indian jeweller.
As a child, she watched him work at home, sitting by the flame from a small burner, as he shaped and carved pure gold using tools such as hammers and files to craft beautiful designs that would adorn the hands, necks and ears of his customers. It's a dying art as machine-made gold jewellery has taken over the industry.
"It takes passion and patience to create art like that and my father had it, including the ability to visualise the finished product," says Chelvy of her late father.
Of all the jewellery she has, a nine-stone gold locket, specially crafted by her late father, is one of the pieces she especially cherishes and hopes to pass on to her children.
Growing up in an environment where design and craftsmanship reigned supreme, it was only natural that her footsteps would take her on the same path.
Chelvy admits that she has always had a passion for jewellery design, and even during her schooldays, she used to help out at the family jewellery store in Lebuh Ampang which is now run by her brother.
But her life took a completely different turn after graduating with a degree in finance and business. She joined the corporate world and had a successful career before eventually leaving the country with her husband when he was posted overseas.
The family lived in various locations around the world including South Korea, Australia and China before returning to Malaysia just before the pandemic.
It was at that time that Chelvy's love for jewellery design was rekindled, but instead of gold, it was stones that "spoke to her".
She wanted to take the beauty and luxury associated with precious stones and gold and transform that quality into more affordable jewellery.
"Precious stones have a certain energy and my favourites have always been rubies, emeralds and blue sapphires aside from diamonds."
But the reality is that not every woman can afford these gems so Chelvy decided to "replicate" the exquisite beauty of gemstone jewellery by using cubic zirconia, often referred to as synthetic diamonds, and TC Designs, which offers gold plated fine costume jewellery with stonework was born.
It's not just the design of the jewellery, but the selection of colours for the stones that is crucial, adds Chelvy.
She looks for stones which can mimic real gemstones as much as possible, such as subtle reds that remind one of rubies, greens which draw the mind to emeralds and blues that look like sapphires.
"I can visualise a design the moment I see a stone and I realise it is possible to offer that high end luxury that comes with gemstone jewellery through fine costume jewellery. It's all in the design and the selection of stones."
For the modern young woman, this stands out as a more affordable option to accessorise, with designs that transcend tradition, suiting not just sarees but also everyday wear or formal Western attire, explains Chelvy.
Her inspiration comes from the glorious shades of nature, the way multiple greens stand out on a single tree, or the bright oranges and vibrant yellows of the sun, all of which she beautifully translates into eye-catching earrings and necklaces.
Chelvy, who has completed a course in gemology, also has plans to craft jewellery using lab-grown diamonds in the future, as it ties in with her theme of affordable luxury.
"Jewellery-making is in my blood and nothing is as therapeutic as watching a design come to life."
CARE AND SELECTION
COSTUME jewellery comes in a wide range, but knowing how to choose and care for it can make these pieces last much longer and give you your money's worth.
Here are some tips for storage and selection:
*Look for quality and good craftsmanship when making your selection.
*Choose pieces where care has been given to the mounting of the stones and even small details like the selection of clasps and hooks.
*Avoid letting the jewellery come in contact with water, sweat, lotion and perfume as these can cause it to tarnish.
*Avoid cleaning your jewellery with soap or harsh chemicals. Use a tissue to wipe it off before storing.
*Long exposure to direct sunlight can also cause tarnish so keep it protected in pouches or jewellery boxes.
*Store each piece separately to prevent them from tangling with one another and causing scratches.
*To avoid moisture retention, keep them in boxes with silica gel.
TC Designs will be showcasing its collection at a booth at Intermark Mall until Oct 31.
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