<i>When Tayma Page Allies came to Hong Kong a little over a decade ago, she fell in love with the sophistication, the culture and the jewels. Yet, she noted something missing - handmade, European-style jewels using the wealth of gemstones available in Asia.

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Using her unique international perspective (she was born in Malta, grew up in Trinidad and lived on Victoria Island and Lagos, Nigeria, before settling in Hong Kong), Tayma began turning her ideas into one-of-a-kind jewelry.
When she decided to open a shop, she chose a location in one of Hong Kong trendiest areas, Lan Kwai Fong, known for its hip clubs and bars and nonstop traffic. She gutted three dusty offices and created her own boutique, an airy, 400-square foot space that is “friendly and personal so customers don't feel intimidated.”
A veteran shopper, Tayma found an antique French mirror in Europe and bought it without any idea of where to place it. She finally found the perfect solution: use the mirror as a divider between the showroom and the shop. True to feng shui theory, it reflects the two essential aspects of her business.
Tayma's current collections involve two major color themes: delicate pastels and bold, lush colors. Her favorites, the pastels, perfectly evoke the designer's blonde elegance: morganite, kunzite, pink tourmaline, aquamarine, sapphire and moonstone. However, she understands the need for balance and fully appreciates the bold tones of tanzanite, rubellite, blue tourmaline and amethyst.
As a woman, she appreciates the versatility of flexible lengths that work with a variety of necklines. She frequently designs a necklace and matching bracelet that can be attached to create a longer length. Similarly, most earrings feature detachable drops so they can be worn day into night. Tayma fully understands how earrings should fit. She sets the post at the exact center of the top stone so the earring fits perfectly on the ear and adds a self-designed, disc-like back instead of the standard butterfly that balances the earring without tipping.
She has worked with many of the same craftsmen for a dozen years, but confesses to driving her setters crazy. “I like gemstones set in what looks like a random pattern,” she says, illustrating a fabulous all-blue necklace of moonstones, sapphires and diamonds cut in marquises, ovals, rounds and pears. Each stone is delicately hinged so it lies perfectly on the neck.
“I design jewelry that's not so grand or formal,” she explains. “Jewelry can be dramatic without looking old-fashioned.” One of her favorite pieces is a multicolored tourmaline necklace with a long detachable, five-cabochon drop that perfectly reflects the colors of the beads. The rare tourmalines come from Afghanistan and are very rich in color: deep pink, mossy green and amber. “I create jewelry that makes a statement,” she says. “For about $5000, you can get a one-carat diamond that doesn't show, or you can get a large one-of-a-kind aquamarine pendant.”
“Tourists love to come to Asia and buy unique pieces,” she observes. She doesn't advertise her shop, but laughs that after a recent article in Town & Country magazine, most of the top hotel concierges know her location and pass it along to their guests.


Tayma in her boutique in Hong Kong's trendy Lan Quai Fong district.

Two pieces of Tayma's unique gemstone jewelry.

http://www.taymajewellery.com
Contact: [email protected]
(please credit europastar.com)

Source: Couture International Jeweler
June / July 03 issue