5 Things I have Learnt From 3 Years in Gemstone Jewellery

Wenimashaqa Jewellery is now over three years old. During this journey, I have learnt so much about gemstone jewellery design, manufacturing, and selling, and I am still learning every day.

Working with natural gemstones is both an art and a skill. The longer you work with them, the more you understand their character, beauty, and quirks. Some lessons are widely shared in the jewellery industry, but others are rarely talked about. Here are five insights I've gained from working closely with gemstones over the years.

 

1. Gemstones Respond Differently to Different Metals

One of the most fascinating things about gemstones is how differently they behave depending on the metal that surrounds them.

Gemstones come alive based on their environment, lighting, and the metal used in the design. Some stones perform beautifully with both silver and gold. Tsavorite, ruby, amethyst, and black tourmaline are excellent examples of gemstones that shine regardless of the metal.

Others are more selective. Red garnet and pyrope tend to pop more when paired with gold. Rhodolite and kyanite, on the other hand, retain their depth and vibrancy exceptionally well in silver, while gold can slightly soften their appearance. I've also found that spessartine keeps its bright orange character better in silver, whereas gold tends to bring out warmer red tones.

Of course, these observations are based on our design techniques and setting styles, so the effect may vary from one piece to another. But it's a reminder that jewellery design is as much about the relationship between materials as it is about the gemstones themselves.

 

2. Some Gemstone Colours Blend Effortlessly

One of my favourite parts of designing jewellery is experimenting with gemstone combinations.

Over time, I've discovered that some gemstones naturally complement each other, while others require a lot more work to achieve harmony. Like many creative processes, gemstone pairing involves testing, trial and error, and plenty of surprises.

Some combinations that consistently work well include:

• Amethyst and rhodolite
• Amethyst and quartz
• Tsavorite and golden yellow gemstones
• Spessartine and golden yellow gemstones
• Quartz with almost any gemstone
• Black tourmaline paired with darker-coloured gemstones

Once you find a combination that works, it opens the door to countless design possibilities.

3. Metal Plating Is More Important Than Most People Realise

Before starting my jewellery brand, I knew very little about gold plating. What I quickly learnt is that not all plating is created equal.

At Wenimashaqa Jewellery, we use 925 sterling silver and 925 sterling silver plated with 18k gold. However, plating quality depends on several factors, including the plating technique used and the thickness of the gold layer.

This thickness is measured in microns.

Most standard gold-plated jewellery uses approximately 0.5 microns of gold, which is why it can wear off relatively quickly. To improve durability, our pieces are plated with more than one micron of gold. This extra thickness helps the finish last longer and maintain its appearance over time.

We also increase the plating thickness on high-contact pieces such as rings, which naturally experience more friction and wear than pendants or earrings.

Sometimes what determines the lifespan of a piece isn't what you immediately see, but the details behind the craftsmanship.

 

4. Design Is About More Than Drawing

People often think jewellery design starts and ends with a sketch. In reality, design is about transforming an idea into something that can exist in three dimensions.

Inspiration comes from everywhere: nature, architecture, culture, textiles, and everyday life. The challenge is converting that inspiration into a design that can actually be manufactured.

In high school, I studied Drawing and Design, a subject that was closely linked to architecture and engineering. Since I didn't pursue either career path, I assumed I would never use those skills again.

I was wrong.

Years later, when I needed to communicate detailed jewellery concepts to manufacturers, those old drawing skills suddenly became invaluable. I found myself digging out tools I hadn't touched in nearly three decades and refreshing skills I thought were long forgotten.

That experience taught me an important lesson: never underestimate what you learn. You never know when an old skill will become useful again.

 

 

5. Knowing When to Make Samples Saves Time and Money

When developing new jewellery, it's tempting to create a sample for every single design. However, samples cost both time and money, especially when working with manufacturers located far away.

Over the years, I've learnt that not every design needs a physical sample.

For simpler pieces, I often draw the design to scale, cut it out on manila paper, or create quick models using play dough. These simple methods give a surprisingly accurate sense of the size, proportions, and overall feel of the piece.

Comparing these mock-ups with existing pendants and jewellery also helps identify potential issues before investing in production.

Sometimes a low-cost prototype can answer the same questions as an expensive sample.

 

The Learning Never Stops

Building Wenimashaqa Jewellery has been an incredible journey into the world of gemstones. Every stone, design, and collection teaches me something new.

Many of the world's most respected jewellery houses have existed for generations, even centuries, yet they continue to innovate, redesign, and discover new ways to showcase gemstones. That reminds me that mastery is not a destination but a continuous process of learning.

As a brand, we are constantly growing and improving. The more you do, the more you learn. And perhaps that's the greatest lesson of all: keep learning, keep experimenting, and keep creating.