Antonia Yue, Founder of Antonia Y Jewelry on Personal Style and Gemstones

Despite her busy schedule, Antonia Yue juggles her full-time textile job with her independent gemstone jewellery brand like it’s nobody’s business.

Occupying most of her free time, her jewellery brand works with raw and natural semi-precious stones to create one-of-a-kind pieces that reflect the individuality of the person wearing them. With unique shapes, bold colours, and thoughtful colour blocking, Antonia Y Jewelry imagines day-to-day jewellery for the rebel inside us – communicating in secret code for those ‘in the know’.

Using gold-plated sterling silver, solid gold, and semi-precious stones, Antonia Y Jewelry’s pieces reflect the founder's personal style and personality for everyday wear. As her brand takes flight, The Beat Asia speaks with Antonia Yue on how she founded the business, her personal style, and her hopes for her clients when they wear her timeless pieces.

When did you start Antonia Y Jewelry? How did you become interested in jewellery and semi-precious gems? 

I remember making jewellery ever since I was a little girl, I used to do a lot of beading as a kid and would always make jewellery for my Mom. She would take me to the markets in Shanghai to source all kinds of beading materials for jewellery making. As I grew up, I started becoming interested in semi-precious stones because they are all so different and unique. They possess these amazing colours and every single piece is one of a kind. 

In a few words, describe your personal style. 

I love a natural, minimal makeup look and will find any opportunity to get a tan! While my 'base' is very simple, I love to layer on pretty jewellery to elevate my look without being too full on. It's almost like adding on the 'glow' from a sun kissed day.

What are some things that inspire and influence your design process?

My jewellery is inspired by my passion for coloured gemstones, styled in a modern chic manner. I use colours to create mood and emotion, shapes and symbols to enhance form and the beauty of the body. Some of my Signature pieces like the Hexagon for example, is a symbol for harmony, while a pair of Carnelian lips are no doubt a very sensual symbol of femininity.   At a glance, it's everyday pieces but with a slight rebelliousness to it. In a world that is already saturated with both commercialised fashion and high-end fine jewellery, I strive to find a space between both worlds. Jewellery should speak to emotions and feelings, that's what makes them romantic and mysterious. Gemstones come in many different forms and shapes. Each is unique and one of a kind. Just like you!

How do you personally enjoy styling your pieces? 

I wear my jewellery every single day. Most pieces I don't even take off! They are a part of me and part of who I am. 

I also love adding a dash of colour to my jewellery stacks [such as] peridots to represent my birthstone, [and] aquamarines and blue topaz to represent my love for the ocean. When you give meaning to jewellery, it makes it more special, and you never want to part with them. 

Pieces also need to be versatile, easy to style and wear on a daily basis, but also [show] a bit of playfulness so it's not just boring jewellery!

What do you hope your clients feel when they wear your jewellery? 

I definitely believe in self-expression through jewellery. It's similar to how we use words, clothing, hairstyle, or art forms like music, dancing, and singing, to showcase our true selves.

My mission is to create jewellery that will make every woman look and feel uniquely beautiful. When people look at my collections, I believe they are naturally drawn to the certain shapes and colours that represent themselves and their emotions best. That process communicates individuality and it's definitely something I want to encourage more. In a way, 'you' are the special ingredient to my jewellery! You choose the pieces that speak to you!

Wearing beautiful jewellery should be empowering! It elevates your look and in turn makes you feel better, happier, and sexier!

What's in store for Antonia Y Jewelry in the near future? 

I'm really looking forward to expanding my Fine Jewelry collection using solid gold. Coming out of the pandemic, I can sense that people are appreciating quality over quantity and are more willing to spend money on items that will withstand the test of time. My head is always popping up with new design ideas and I can't wait to put them into work. 

This interview has been edited for length and clarity.

Keep up with Antonia on Instagram here.

Celebrate Mother’s Day with Antonia Y Jewelry and Novel Fineries with bestseller chains and charms.

When: 5PM - 8PM, May 10

Where: Novel Fineries, Shop BE4, Basement of The Peninsula Hotel Hong Kong, 22 Salisbury Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon, Hong Kong