Julinda Chia Morgan launched her first collection of jewellery in 1993 and has since made a name for herself as one of Asia’s most original artists in the medium. Yet her inventiveness and inspiration, far from leading to esoteric designs with which only a few would feel comfortable, has been channelled into the creation of sophisticated, eminently wearable pieces that combine 18 carat gold with a wide variety of precious and semi-precious stones.

Based in Singapore, Julinda has rapidly built up a select and loyal private clientele for her jewellery. The list of ladies who regularly visit her by appointment, or attend one of her frequent shows, is constantly growing and includes jewellery lovers from around the world. “When people ask what my design philosophy is, I always have to step back and think,” says Julinda. “To me that’s a healthy sign, because I don’t believe that creativity ever flows from a rigid set of opinions and objectives. I can point to possible sources of my ability to conceive pieces that will appeal to my clients - my love of jewellery from an early age, my awareness of style and how a look should be co-ordinated - but I don’t set out with a manifesto and force everything I do to conform to those design beliefs. That would never work.”

The majority of the pieces that Julinda creates are one-offs; unique items that bear both the imprint of her special flair and the cachet of complete individuality. Using materials from all over the world, Julinda keeps one eye on her Asian heritage and another on a wider, global perspective, originating pieces that strike a chord with all women who shun mass-produced anonymity and seek something truly distinctive.

”I think jewellery design is like any other visual art form. It entails having an eye for colour, texture and form and how they interact, which is something no-one can give you. It springs from somewhere inside you that you can’t pinpoint, and for me that’s half the enjoyment. The moment you stop to analyse you lose something. And so does the jewellery you create.”