Eager to continue creating kaleidoscopic collisions of gems, Lucille Dizon’s more than ready to head back to school.

“Making jewelry remains a welcome challenge,” muses the Gemological Institute of America scholar. Despite being immersed in the realm of jewelry for over 12 years now thanks to her mother-in-law’s storied business (of course, none other than the late Jul B. Dizon), Lucille still possesses the wide-eyed fascination for gems. “The very first time I saw my created piece,” recalls Lucille, “the feeling was surreal.”

Surrounded by different hues of gemstones, Lucille has found a niche in the industry of jewels by focusing on adding a contemporary hint to various vintage pieces. “Updating an existing piece while keeping it wearable for the next 10 years—that is a process I find exciting,” says Lucille. Other than the romance inherent in vintage, the designer admits to being largely inspired by Oriental themes and the Art Deco aesthetic. Citing the eclecticism present in both styles, Lucille references the rich colors and geometric patterns in her creative process. Lucille’s obsession du jour? White quartz paired with imaginative colored stones, of course, with a vintage feel.

Before Lucille’s foray into the art of exacting brilliance, she found herself dabbling in fashion and the culinary arts, “I think my artistic desires have shaped who I’ve become, with the help of my mother-in-law; my innate interest in design just transferred from fashion to jewelry.”

Photos by Cyrus Panganiban

Source: September Grace Mahino for Northern Living, “Searching for Gold,” January 2015