Silver Jewelry Design · 2025
The Galaxie Collection Jewelry Set
by Hanh Truong
- A' Design Award 2025 Silver Winner in Jewelry Design
- Awarded April 15, 2025
- CLIENT: Palomy
- Estimated Number of Design Views: 62,696
- Verification code A002DA79D5 · Verify this award
About The Galaxie Collection Jewelry Set
The Galaxie Collection redefines jewelry design by merging cosmic inspiration with meticulous craftsmanship. Derived from the Big Bang, Taichi Yin and Yang, the eye, and the cushion hexagon, the design symbolizes rebirth and prosperity. Australian Crystal Opal, with its vibrant play of color, presents challenges due to its softness and translucency. These were overcome using custom crafted settings and a blackened gold backing, ensuring enhanced fiery hues and durability when paired with 14K white and yellow gold.
The Galaxie Collection Jewelry Set by Hanh Truong emerges from a contemporary design tradition that draws profound inspiration from celestial phenomena while honoring the ancient human fascination with opal's mysterious optical properties. This coordinated ensemble of pendant and ring demonstrates the designer's mastery of material dialogue, pairing opals displaying exceptional play-of-color with precision-set diamonds in a framework that evokes both cosmic movement and organic growth. The metalwork exhibits remarkable sculptural refinement, with sweeping curves that suggest orbital paths or the graceful geometry found in natural forms such as seeds, leaves, or the spiral arms of galaxies. Technical accomplishment manifests in the seamless integration of multiple precious materials: the warm yellow gold interior bezels create intimate frames for each opal while white metal exterior surfaces provide cool counterpoint, and the graduated pavé diamond placement traces luminous arcs that extend the visual energy of each piece beyond its central gemstone. The opals themselves appear to have been selected with considerable care for their chromatic range and pattern quality, their predominantly blue-green base color punctuated by flashes that traverse the visible spectrum. One might observe how the designer has employed the marquise or almond form factor not merely as decorative choice but as symbolic gesture, this ancient shape carrying associations with eyes, seeds, and the vesica piscis form found in sacred geometry across cultures. The collection's name suggests intentional cosmic reference, inviting contemplation of how these terrestrial materials—silica spheres suspended in hydrated mineral matrix—mirror the luminous phenomena of celestial bodies. The work invites viewers to consider how jewelry functions as portable wonder, allowing the wearer to carry fragments of cosmic beauty against the intimate landscape of the human body.
Press Kit
- Unique Properties
- The Galaxie Collection redefines jewelry by merging cosmic energy with Eastern philosophy. Driven by the Big Bang transformative force and Taichi evolving Yin and Yang, each piece exudes rebirth, balance, and strength. Showcasing Australian Crystal Opal with mesmerizing play of color, paired with intertwined white and yellow gold symbolizing unity, its custom crafted settings and meticulous design empower wearers to embrace transformation, elegance, and individuality.
- Dimensions & Packaging
- Pendant: 14mm x 6mm x 19.5mm (36mm with bail), gemstone 31.15 carats, 6.23 grams. Ring: 16mm x 12.5mm, gemstone 8mm x 6mm, finger diameter 16.25mm, 4.68 grams (23.4 carats). Earrings: 12mm x 9.25mm each, gemstones 6mm x 4mm, 2.86 grams per pair (14.3 carats). Crafted with Australian Crystal Opal, 14K white and yellow gold, and accent stones for durability and brilliance.
- Tags
- Jewelry set, Galaxie, Ring, Earrings, Pendant, Autralian Crystal Opal, Australian Precious Opal, Big Bang, the eye, rebirth, growth, women, power, beginning, Yin Yang, Taichi, cushion hexagon
- Production Technology
- The Galaxie Collection is crafted via a meticulous process, starting with sketches inspired by the Big Bang, Taichi Yin and Yang, the eye, and cushion hexagon symbols of rebirth and prosperity. Using Australian Crystal Opal, 14K white and yellow gold, and accent stones, it seamlessly blends metals. 3D modeling, wax printing, and casting form the structure, while polishing, gold plating, and hand-finishing culminate in precisely setting the Opal for optimal protection and brilliance.
- Design Challenge
- The Galaxie Collection overcame creative challenges by balancing feminine curves with bold symbolism while merging expensive materials into everyday wear amid today's economic climate. Handling Australian Crystal Opal was difficult due to its softness and transparency. Our design protects the stone with custom-crafted settings and a blackened gold backing that boosts its fire effect. The final Opal setting secures both brilliance and durability, achieving elegant functionality.
- Project Duration
- The project started in March 2024 in Hanoi, Vietnam and finished in September 2024.
- Operation Flow
- The Galaxie Collection is crafted for seamless daily wear and versatile styling. Each piece ensures comfort and minimizes snags on hair or clothing. The pendant transforms effortlessly when paired with gold, silver, leather, or nylon chains, adapting to various occasions. Its innovative blackened gold backing enhances the opal’s fire effect with dynamic light play. This design elevates functionality and elegance, delivering an outstanding user experience.
- Research
- Our study fuses cosmic forces and women's history to design jewelry celebrating transformation and empowerment. Through iterative prototyping with symbols (Big Bang, Yin and Yang, eye, cushion hexagon), we collected data via material trials, optical spectroscopy, and 3D modeling. Experts and artisans evaluated prototypes, showing that blackened gold backing boosts opal brilliance. Findings show sustainable luxury drives refined lifestyles, shaping market trends, culture, and design evolution.
- Inspiration
- The Galaxie Collection honors the timeless resilience and boundless potential of women, echoing the transformative force of the Big Bang. Inspired by Taichi Yin and Yang balance and evolution, it embodies harmony, intuition, and prosperity. The eye symbolizes strength and visionary insight, while the cushion hexagon represents connection, renewal, and continuity. More than jewelry, Galaxie celebrates individuality, empowering wearers to embrace limitless potential and shine with cosmic brilliance.
- Image Credits
- Hanh Truong
Colors of The Galaxie Collection Jewelry Set
Get The Galaxie Collection Jewelry Set
Bespoke Australian Opal Jewelry Design
We craft extraordinary jewelry featuring hand-selected Australian Opals, merging architectural precision with personal narratives. Our collaborative design process transforms your vision into wearable art, with each piece thoughtfully created to reflect your unique story and spirit through…
G0E9 ShopDesign Interview about The Galaxie Collection Jewelry Set
The Galaxie Collection was inspired by a profound realization: both the Big Bang and the ancient philosophy of Taichi describe infinite potential held within a single point, waiting to unfold into balance and creation. Australian Crystal Opal became my universe in miniature—a gemstone where galaxies seem to swirl within its depths, colors shift like nebulae, and flashes of fire echo distant stars. Each opal is unique, just as each individual’s connection to the cosmos is personal. The collection does not simply showcase beauty; it transforms jewelry into a dialogue with the infinite, making the cosmic intimate and the profound wearable.
I approached each piece as both an architect and a storyteller. The technical challenge was to honor opal’s low toughness nature while maximizing its play-of-color through proportion, light interaction, and structural care. Beyond engineering, my goal was to create jewelry with spirit—pieces that embody an inner soul, evolving with their wearer and revealing new depths over time. I wanted every Galaxie design to be more than adornment: to spark a moment of connection, a quiet reminder that we each carry a fragment of the universe within us.
Receiving the Silver A’ Design Award is a great honor for me personally as well as for my creative vision and design philosophy. I will preserve this work as part of my personal archive, while also continuing to evolve it. My plan is to develop updated versions of the design so that it can be adapted to different types of opals or reinterpreted with alternative materials, ensuring it resonates with clients of diverse tastes and styles. Yet no matter how it transforms, the core inspiration and original values of The Galaxie Collection will always remain intact.
It took me about seven to eight months to fully realize the concept. Every opal demanded its own study—its size, fire, and transparency guided the design choices. I spent months sketching, building 3D models to test proportions and light behavior, and experimenting with techniques like black backing to enhance brilliance while symbolically echoing the cosmic void. The final stage involved close collaboration with artisans to refine each bezel, curve, and detail until the jewelry became not only structurally secure but also a poetic reflection of the collection’s philosophical inspiration.
This design was not commissioned; it was born from inspiration and personal conviction. The seed was planted long ago when I gifted my wife the first piece of jewelry I ever bought—an act that revealed to me jewelry’s power to carry emotion and memory. During the pandemic, with time to reflect, I began exploring how architecture, philosophy, and opals could converge into a new language of design. The Galaxie Collection was the natural outcome of that exploration.
All designs are currently produced by my studio, Palomy, in Hanoi. I personally oversee every step—from stone selection and sketches to CAD refinement and final polishing. While I remain open to future collaborations or licensing opportunities, it is essential that any partnership respects the integrity of the story and craftsmanship behind each piece.
As an architect, I was always fascinated by proportion, balance, and light. Jewelry offered me a more intimate canvas—something to be lived with, not just admired from afar. Opal, with its shifting galaxies of color, became the perfect material to explore my fascination with transformation. Designing jewelry allowed me to merge my structural discipline with storytelling, creating wearable architecture infused with poetry.
I draw inspiration more from ideas than from specific designers. The flowing lines of Eastern aesthetics, the precision of Western geometry, and the symbolism of cosmic philosophy shaped The Galaxie Collection. Still, I owe much to artisans who have worked with opals for generations—their quiet mastery taught me how to respect and protect such a delicate stone while allowing its brilliance to shine.
The collection is created for individuals who see jewelry as more than ornament. To them, a jewel is not simply a beautiful object, but a lifelong companion—a confidant that carries their stories, memories, and identity. They are thinkers, dreamers, and seekers of beauty who resonate with philosophy and personal storytelling. The Galaxie Collection speaks to those who wish to wear not only gemstones, but also ideas, finding in each piece a trusted friend that reflects and grows with them over time.
What makes it unique is the way it fuses philosophy with engineering. The opal is not just a gem here; it is the Taichi, the origin point, the cosmic singularity. The bezels are not only protective structures but golden arcs of expansion and harmony. Every detail, from black backing to the cushion hexagon silhouette, carries symbolic weight. It is jewelry that is both deeply personal and universally resonant.
“Galaxie” emerged naturally. It reflects the fire pattern within certain opals, known as a “galaxy,” and ties directly to my cosmic inspiration. At the same time, Galaxie is the French word for galaxy, which adds a poetic nuance and an international flair to the name. It bridges science and art, symbolizing both the vastness of space and the intimacy of holding a universe within a single stone.
I began with hand sketches to capture raw emotion, then refined them using CAD and 3D modeling software. These tools allowed me to test proportions, simulate light behavior, and collaborate effectively with artisans. Final realization involved traditional goldsmithing techniques—melding digital precision with human touch.
The most distinctive feature is the interplay of opal and structure. Crystal opal, while luminous, has relatively low toughness and can be prone to damage if not handled with care. To honor this nature, I developed settings that cradle the stone while amplifying its fire—custom bezels, protective arcs, and black backings that serve both practical and symbolic roles. Moreover, no two opals are ever the same, which means each piece in the Galaxie Collection carries its own character and beauty. This combination of protection, revelation, and individuality is what makes the collection truly unique.
Yes, I collaborated closely with skilled goldsmiths and stone setters who have experience handling gemstones with low toughness like opals. Their technical precision ensured the stones remained secure, while their artistry allowed the opals to reveal their full brilliance. It was a dialogue between my architectural vision and their inherited craftsmanship.
Technology was my partner in choreography. Through 3D modeling and optical studies, I simulated how light would move across the jewelry and interact with opals under different conditions. This precision reduced guesswork, enabling designs that balance comfort, strength, and brilliance. Yet the final soul of each piece still comes from handcraft—the warmth of touch that technology cannot replicate.
Yes. I conducted research on the optical properties of opal, studying how light passes through and reflects within crystal structures. I also explored traditional techniques like black backing, adapting them into my concept as both a technical solution and a symbolic metaphor for cosmic void. In addition, I drew from architectural research on proportion, ensuring harmony between gemstone and form.
The greatest challenge was working with opal itself. While luminous and full of fire, opal has relatively low toughness, making it vulnerable to cracks or damage if not carefully protected. Designing secure yet elegant settings required inventive solutions—protective bezels, flowing arcs, and subtle backing techniques that enhanced both strength and symbolism. Another challenge was ensuring that each piece balanced artistic philosophy with everyday wearability. Every curve had to move naturally with the body while still carrying the weight of cosmic inspiration.
I often asked myself whether my design philosophy could be understood and embraced by the world. Submitting to the A’ Design Award was my way of finding out—while also sharing my vision beyond Vietnam, connecting with an international community, and placing my work in dialogue with global perspectives. Winning the Silver Award proved to me that meaningful design truly transcends borders.
I often asked myself whether my design philosophy could be understood and embraced by the world. Submitting to the A’ Design Award was my way of finding out—while also sharing my vision beyond Vietnam, connecting with an international community, and placing my work in dialogue with global perspectives. Winning the Silver Award proved to me that meaningful design truly transcends borders.
If there is one message I want to share, it is this: jewelry, at its best, is not about luxury or ornament. It is about connection—between material and story, between wearer and meaning, between past and future. The Galaxie Collection is my way of saying that within something as small as a stone, one can hold the universe. And within something as intimate as jewelry, one can carry a personal cosmos.
Grand Interview about The Galaxie Collection Jewelry Set
1. In The Galaxie Collection, I chose to center the design around Australian Crystal Opal not merely for its aesthetic beauty, but for its philosophical symbolism. Among gemstones, opal is uniquely capable of displaying a full spectrum of vibrant colors within a single stone — colors that shift dramatically with light and angle, evoking a sense of wonder and mystery. To me, opal is not just a material, but a metaphor: something small in scale yet vast in meaning, capable of inspiring different reflections in different contexts — much like the origins of the universe or the essence of Taichi.The Big Bang theory and Taichi philosophy, though born from different cultural lenses, both describe a universe that begins from a singular point — an origin that appears simple, but contains within it all potential, waiting for the right moment to unfold. This conceptual similarity captivated me. I saw the opal as a visual and symbolic representation of that singularity: radiant, concentrated, and ready to expand.In my design, the opal becomes the Taichi — the still point from which movement begins. Its crystal clarity and brilliant fire reflect the latent energy just before transformation. From this center, two golden arcs emerge in opposite directions, symbolizing Yin and Yang — the dual forces born of unity — but also the diverging paths of creative evolution. They do not speak of destruction, but of expansion, growth, and harmony. Accent stones positioned along these curves represent the tangible, beautiful outcomes that arise from transformation — the “stars” born of a cosmic unfolding.Crystal opal, with its purity and luminous energy, was the natural choice for this concept. It embodies the idea of potential becoming form, of simplicity becoming complexity. In that sense, each piece in The Galaxie Collection is more than jewelry — it is a meditation on origin, balance, and becoming. The beginning of any journey — whether cosmic or personal — holds the greatest intensity. That’s the moment I wanted to eternalize in my design.
Crystal opal, with its vibrant fire and luminous purity, was chosen as the heart of The Galaxie Collection — a visual and symbolic representation of “Taichi,” the point of origin and dynamic balance in the collection. Its brilliance made it ideal for expressing the concept of cosmic energy and birth. Yet, that same transparency presented a unique technical challenge. While crystal opal is celebrated for its color-play, its transparency can sometimes diminish the intensity of its fire. This is where the well-established technique of black backing becomes invaluable. By placing a dark foundation beneath the stone, we can dramatically enhance its chromatic depth — ensuring that the opal’s internal fire remains bold and vivid. In The Galaxie Collection, I implemented black backing not only as a technical solution, but as a meaningful design element. Symbolically, the dark base represents the primordial void — the silent expanse of space before the Big Bang. It became a conceptual anchor for the collection, amplifying both the stone’s brilliance and the narrative of emergence, transformation, and balance. Technically, applying the black backing was relatively straightforward, but refining it to meet the collection’s aesthetic and symbolic standards required careful calibration. I worked on surface finish, layering, and integration with surrounding elements to ensure it felt intentional and elevated, rather than purely functional. This experience showed me that even time-honored techniques like black backing can continue to evolve. In future collections, I hope to explore more advanced variations — solutions that not only enhance performance, but also allow the backing itself to become a poetic extension of the cosmic narrative.
The cultural synthesis in The Galaxie Collection reflects my belief that meaningful design emerges when form and philosophy come together. Rather than choosing between Eastern and Western approaches, I sought to create a dialogue between them — one rooted in structure, symbolism, and the emotional experience of the wearer. Western design traditions often emphasize proportion, geometry, and technical clarity — a language of control and refinement. Eastern aesthetics, by contrast, tend to prioritize symbolism, intuition, and narrative. While the West shapes the object to serve function and form, the East infuses the object with spirit and story. In The Galaxie Collection, I applied this dual perspective through both concept and execution. The curved golden arcs draw from Eastern fluidity — inspired by Taichi’s flowing duality — while the hexagonal base structure references the geometric precision of Western form language. The opal, placed at the center, becomes the Taichi itself — a spiritual origin point expressed through a technically calibrated bezel and carefully proportioned setting. To ensure the fusion extended beyond philosophy and into practice, I used 3D modeling to refine the curves and angles of each form — achieving balance between flowing energy and structural clarity. The proportions of each piece were also considered in relation to the body, with subtle adjustments made to ensure that the symbolism never compromised comfort or wearability. This approach reflects my larger vision for modern jewelry: to create pieces that are not only beautiful, but also meaningful — designs that resonate intellectually, emotionally, and physically. Through the fusion of cultural perspectives, The Galaxie Collection becomes a quiet conversation between logic and spirit, between ancient wisdom and contemporary craft.
Receiving the Silver A' Design Award for The Galaxie Collection affirmed one of my core beliefs: that truly exceptional jewelry is not a compromise between art and utility, but a harmony of both. Over time, I’ve developed a framework to evaluate each design based on its intended category — whether it’s a conceptual piece, ceremonial jewel, or luxury object for daily wear. Each type requires a unique balance of meaning, style, functionality, durability, comfort, refinement, complexity, and cost. With The Galaxie Collection, my goal was to create high-end jewelry that could live with its wearer — not just be admired, but worn, moved with, and felt. The collection draws its inspiration from cosmic motion, feminine transformation, and the vibrant energy of crystal opal. These themes naturally led me to design for women who are philosophical yet practical, who value both narrative depth and everyday elegance.Balancing expression with function meant making precise technical decisions. The bezels were engineered not only to protect the opal, but also to allow it to receive as much ambient light as possible — maximizing its brilliance while preserving visibility into its depth. The black backing enhanced the opal’s fire by creating visual contrast, but it also served a structural purpose — conceptually symbolizing cosmic darkness, and technically offering foundational support.I also paid close attention to how each curve was resolved — ensuring that no edges would catch on clothing or disrupt movement. These flowing forms were carefully refined through modeling and wear-testing to prioritize both comfort and practicality. Equally important was the versatility of each design. I aimed for pieces that could be worn seamlessly with a range of outfits and styles — allowing the jewelry to become a part of the wearer’s daily rhythm, rather than reserved for special occasions alone.I used 3D modeling to test proportions and simulate movement, ensuring that each piece maintains a sense of elegance without compromising strength. Accent stones were placed with equal care — not only for beauty, but also to support wearability, structural balance, and overall harmony in composition.Craftsmanship, to me, is not just about finishing a piece to perfection — it’s about anticipating how it will be lived with. A fine piece of jewelry should be tactile, enduring, and increasingly meaningful with every moment it spends with its wearer.In this way, The Galaxie Collection aims to be more than just beautiful jewelry; it aspires to be a daily companion — one that quietly reflects the strength, grace, and story of its wearer.
In designing The Galaxie Collection, one of my main priorities was orchestrating how light interacts with the jewelry — not just as illumination, but as part of the narrative. Because jewelry is worn on the most visible parts of the body, its visual performance under shifting angles and lighting conditions becomes crucial. I wanted each piece to do more than sparkle — I wanted it to perform, to move, to breathe with the wearer. To achieve this, I approached material selection with both scientific precision and symbolic intent. The crystal opal, with its ethereal play-of-color, was chosen as the center not only for its visual fire, but because it represents cosmic energy — dynamic, unpredictable, and alive. Through optical spectroscopy, I studied how different opals responded to varied lighting environments. This helped me select stones with the most vibrant spectral shifts, ensuring the “cosmic core” of each piece would remain captivating in real-world conditions.The gold bezel around the opal was crafted in yellow gold to symbolize the explosive energy of the Big Bang. But technically, it also serves to create what I call a "rolling light effect": curved surfaces that capture and move light along their edges in two opposing directions — evoking the duality of Yin and Yang. The curvature, width, and depth of these forms were tested through 3D modeling, allowing me to simulate how light would travel across the surface and optimize the sense of motion. Accent stones were introduced to bring a secondary light behavior — small, flashing reflections set in white gold, producing a classical halo effect. Their placement was not just aesthetic, but calculated: the angles and metal finishes were selected to complement the central fire of the opal without overshadowing it. This created a layered composition of light — concentrated in the center, dispersed at the periphery, always shifting, always alive. 3D modeling was instrumental in refining these details. It allowed me to test different geometries, surface angles, and proportions in real-time, reducing guesswork and enabling precise communication with artisans. What once would have required multiple rounds of physical prototyping or imprecise sketches could now be visualized and validated before a single stone was set. Ultimately, technology became my partner in expressing something inherently poetic: the choreography of light. By integrating spectroscopy, 3D design, and traditional craftsmanship, I was able to shape not just form, but experience. This is where I believe modern jewelry truly evolves — when science, symbolism, and emotion converge through the lens of light.
A strong foundation in Applied Arts has allowed me to intuitively translate abstract concepts like feminine strength and transformation into tangible visual forms. Design, at its core, is a language — and when that language is used with intention, it becomes a powerful bridge between symbolism and materiality. In The Galaxie Collection, I drew upon this language to express layered aspects of femininity — not merely softness, but intuition, resilience, and grace under pressure. I began by incorporating curved lines in place of rigid angles. This is a fundamental principle in visual design: curves naturally convey fluidity, receptivity, and a sense of organic motion — all qualities culturally and emotionally associated with feminine energy. The eye motif was another deliberate choice. Universally symbolic of perception and emotional depth, the eye in my design represents the inner awareness and sensitivity often embodied by women. It speaks not only to observation, but to intuition — the kind of deep perception that transcends logic. Additionally, I employed a cushion hexagon silhouette as the underlying structural form in several pieces. The hexagon, with its symmetry and strength, symbolizes foundation and balance. By softening its edges into a cushion-like form, it gains warmth, gentleness, and a nurturing character — echoing the traditional feminine role as both protector and connector within the family unit. These visual choices — curved lines, the eye, and the cushion hexagon — were not decorative flourishes, but distilled expressions of complex values. They function as visual archetypes, simplified forms that carry symbolic resonance across cultures. By refining these forms and placing them within precious materials, I created jewelry that doesn’t just adorn, but communicates. In this way, The Galaxie Collection becomes more than an accessory. It is a wearable reflection of transformation — of feminine strength that is both fierce and empathetic, precise and intuitive. Through design, these abstract ideals find form, and through form, they become part of the wearer’s story.
Proportion plays a fundamental role in jewelry design — not only for achieving visual harmony, but for creating a collection that feels cohesive, wearable, and emotionally resonant. In The Galaxie Collection, dimensional balance was considered from three interconnected perspectives: how each piece relates to the human body, how the internal elements relate within a single piece, and how all components relate across the set as a unified whole. First, I considered the relationship between jewelry and the body — an essential factor in achieving both elegance and comfort. For example, the pendant’s size was calibrated to rest prominently on the chest without overwhelming the neckline. The ring face was proportioned to suit the average width and length of the finger, offering a sense of balance and presence. The earring studs were carefully sized to rest naturally on the earlobe — avoiding any sense of heaviness while still offering enough visual presence to reflect the identity of the collection. Next, I focused on the internal proportions of each piece. The central opal needed to command attention without overpowering the overall design. I carefully adjusted the relationship between the gemstone and its gold bezel, the accent stones, and the surrounding elements — ensuring that every component worked together in visual harmony. This careful calibration helped the design feel deliberate and cohesive, rather than overwhelming or disjointed. Finally, I considered how all three pieces relate to one another. Jewelry sets are often viewed as a whole before they are appreciated individually — especially when displayed. Achieving dimensional consistency across the pendant, ring, and earrings created an immediate impression of harmony and sophistication. At the same time, I wanted to establish a clear hierarchy. The pendant was selected as the focal point, with the ring and earrings thoughtfully scaled to support it — taking into account both visual balance and the natural dimensions of the chosen opals. This layered approach to proportion ensures that each piece feels individually resolved, yet collectively connected to a larger story. It’s not just about mathematical precision — it’s about guiding the eye, flattering the form, and enriching how the wearer experiences and emotionally connects with the jewelry.
As a newcomer to the field of jewelry design — a landscape already shaped by iconic names and celebrated works — I felt no urgency to compete through visual spectacle alone. Instead, I’ve aligned myself with a growing movement that seeks to restore emotional and symbolic meaning to luxury objects. The Galaxie Collection is my personal response to that philosophy — a commitment to creating jewelry that transcends ornament and becomes a vessel for inner experience.I believe the future of contemporary jewelry lies in its ability to connect — not only with the eye, but with the soul. Beyond beauty, a truly meaningful piece invites introspection. It holds memory, reflects identity, and offers a sense of presence. When symbolism is woven into precious materials with care and clarity, the result is something that feels alive — a companion, not just a decoration.In The Galaxie Collection, I worked to achieve this synthesis through both design language and technical execution. The eye motif symbolizes inner awareness. The cushion hexagon evokes protection and family. The flowing curves represent balance and transformation. Embedded in gold and crystal opal — materials revered for their purity and power — these forms are not merely decorative. They carry cultural and personal meaning, translated into wearable, tactile form.This approach, however, requires commitment from both the designer and the wearer. As designers, we must invest time in research, reflection, and symbolic clarity. It’s not enough for a piece to be attractive — it must also be intentional. At the same time, wearers must choose to engage with their jewelry beyond the surface — to reflect on its story, and allow it to become part of their own.Looking ahead, I see this model of design becoming increasingly relevant. In a world where meaning often feels fractured, people seek deeper connection in what they wear. Jewelry has a unique ability to carry that meaning — quietly, persistently, and personally. If The Galaxie Collection can inspire even one person to see jewelry not just as adornment, but as a mirror of self and spirit, then it has fulfilled its purpose.
My background in architectural design has profoundly shaped how I approach jewelry — particularly in how I give equal weight to function and aesthetics. In architecture, a structure must first serve its purpose — to shelter, to support, to endure. But its success is measured not just in utility, but in how it makes people feel, move, and connect. This belief — that true design must integrate both practicality and beauty — is a principle I carry into every piece of jewelry I create.Opal, with its luminous beauty and inherent fragility, demands exactly that kind of dual consideration. Before setting any stone, I study its physical and optical behavior — its hardness, durability, and most importantly, its individual play-of-color. No two opals are alike, and each one calls for a unique structural solution that highlights its strengths while safeguarding its vulnerabilities.In The Galaxie Collection, I treated each opal as both a visual focal point and a structural anchor. I placed the stone within a protected spatial zone — using elevated bezels, deep-set prongs, and sculptural gold arcs that frame and shield without obscuring. The golden arcs flanking the central opal were designed not only as symbolic expressions of expansion and duality, but also as protective forms to minimize accidental impact.From architecture, I also drew on the concept of “defensive detailing” — integrating structural protection in a way that enhances rather than disrupts the design. I looked to cantilevered elements and sunshades — forms that defend while expressing — and translated these principles into jewelry through fluid, intentional contours.I also learned from master opal setters and jewelers who specialize in fragile stones like emerald and pearl. These craftspeople taught me how to balance structural integrity with refinement, and how to respect a gemstone’s limitations while still presenting it confidently and elegantly.In this way, each opal in The Galaxie Collection is not merely set, but thoughtfully housed — with equal care given to performance and poetry. It’s this integration — of protection and presence, structure and symbolism — that reflects my design philosophy: that jewelry must serve and speak at once.
As designers, we are constantly driven by the impulse to explore, to observe what fascinates us, and to transform it into something shareable. For me, inspiration flows in three directions: from nature — intimate, tactile, and alive; from within — as a reflection of identity and memory; and from beyond — the vast unknown where imagination, philosophy, and hope converge. The cosmos belongs to this third realm. It is both an external mystery and an inner metaphor, and it continues to move me deeply.The Galaxie Collection marked my first exploration of this cosmic narrative. Through opal — a gemstone whose fire and depth seem to contain entire galaxies — I found a material language capable of capturing light, transformation, and mystery. The fact that “galaxy” is also a named fire pattern in opal felt serendipitous, as if the concept and material were destined to converge.Looking ahead, I see many opportunities to further develop this theme. Future Palomy collections may explore celestial phenomena such as nebulae — echoing opal’s swirling internal color; constellations — as symbolic systems of connection and navigation; or the aurora borealis — whose dance of light mirrors gemstone fire in motion. Each cosmic inspiration offers a distinct lens for storytelling and a new way to pair form with meaning.But beyond imagery, the cosmic theme also invites us to touch upon timeless emotional truths: awe, longing, renewal, purpose. These are not just abstract ideals, but real feelings that jewelry — when carefully crafted — can help us carry and express. My goal is to design pieces that are not only inspired by the universe, but that help wearers feel part of it.Rather than repeating The Galaxie Collection, I intend to expand its spirit — to deepen the dialogue between space, soul, and stone. With opal as my compass, I look forward to continuing this journey — guided by light, narrative, and the infinite inspiration of the cosmos.