Yi Xiong

Specialized in Jewelry Design.

Yi Xiong

About Yi Xiong

Aris Xiong (Yi Xiong) is the founder and creative director of Aris Fine Studio, established in New York. She began designing jewelry for local clients during her university years. Her work is grounded in sustained observation of nature and a sensitivity to memory, translating elements such as plants, light, shadow, and temporal change into a contemporary jewelry language. Characterized by nuanced color relationships and sculptural structures, her designs balance organic forms with rational composition. She adopts a restrained approach to emotional expression, allowing jewelry to function as a vessel for memory and personal experience. Rather than being limited to ceremonial occasions, she approaches jewelry as a medium for everyday self-expression, bridging nature and the individual within the context of urban life.

  • Winner of 2 A' Design Awards.
  • Specialized in Jewelry Design.
  • Original Design.
  • Creative, Diligent and Innovative.
  • All Designs
  • Jewelry
Lily of the Valley Ring

Lily of the Valley Ring

Jewelry Design

Heart in Bloom Ring

Heart in Bloom Ring

Jewelry Design

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Interview with Yi Xiong

Could you please tell us more about your art and design background? What made you become an artist/designer? Have you always wanted to be a designer?
I began studying sketching and oil painting when I was young. Before I ever designed jewelry, I was already fascinated by color, composition, light, and the way small details can carry emotion. I did not always know I would become a jewelry designer. What I always knew was that I loved observing, collecting memories, and giving form to feelings. I grew up surrounded by vintage jewelry, old photographs, journals, and meaningful objects, and those early experiences shaped the way I see design today. Jewelry became the medium that felt most natural to me because it is intimate, emotional, and lasting. A piece may be small in scale, but it can hold a person’s memories, relationships, milestones, and stories for generations.
Can you tell us more about your company / design studio?
ARIS Fine Studio is a contemporary fine jewelry studio based in New York. Our work focuses on bespoke jewelry, collectible gemstone pieces, and nature-inspired designs. We create modern heirlooms that transform personal stories, memories, emotions, and milestones into jewelry that can be worn and kept for generations. Nature, gemstones, movement, and emotional storytelling are at the center of our design language. Whether we are designing a bespoke pet piece, an engagement ring, or a high jewelry collection piece, we always begin with the story behind it.
What is "design" for you?
For me, design is the act of giving form to something invisible. It can be a memory, an emotion, a relationship, a dream, or a moment in someone’s life. Through design, something intangible becomes something people can see, touch, wear, and carry with them. Design is not only about making things beautiful. It is about creating meaning, connection, and longevity.
What kinds of works do you like designing most?
I especially enjoy designing bespoke fine jewelry pieces. Bespoke projects allow me to understand someone’s personal story and translate it into a physical object. It may be a piece inspired by a pet, a relationship, a family memory, or an important milestone. I also love designing pieces inspired by nature, especially botanical forms, animals, movement, and gemstone color relationships. These themes give me space to combine craftsmanship, emotion, and imagination.
What is your most favorite design, could you please tell more about it?
Some of my favorite designs are from our Companion collection. One memorable piece was inspired by a cat in motion. The goal was not simply to recreate the appearance of the pet, but to capture its personality, movement, and the memory it represented. We used gemstones, floral details, and sculptural elements to create a composition that felt alive. For me, that project represents what I love most about jewelry design: the ability to turn a private memory into something precious, wearable, and lasting.
What was the first thing you designed for a company?
Before building ARIS Fine Studio, I worked across creative projects where visual storytelling, branding, and aesthetics were very important. One of the earliest things I designed in a professional context was not only a single object, but a visual direction — how a brand, a product, or a story should be presented to people. That experience helped me understand that design is never just about form. It is also about emotion, communication, and how people experience something.
What is your favorite material / platform / technology?
My favorite material is gemstone. Gemstones are incredibly expressive. Their color, clarity, cut, and natural inclusions all carry character. Sometimes a gemstone becomes the starting point for an entire design because it already suggests a mood, a season, or a story. In terms of tools, I still value hand sketching the most. I also use Procreate, CAD, and advanced rendering tools throughout the design and production process. Technology helps refine and visualize ideas, but the first emotional connection usually begins by hand.
When do you feel the most creative?
I feel most creative when I am observing. It may happen during a conversation with a client, while selecting gemstones, walking through New York, looking at flowers, or noticing a small detail in nature. Many of my ideas come from moments that seem ordinary at first. A color combination, a pet’s habit, a fallen leaf, or a certain atmosphere can become the beginning of a design.
Which aspects of a design do you focus more during designing?
I focus on balance, emotion, and longevity. A design should be visually distinctive, but it should also feel meaningful. I think carefully about composition, gemstone color relationships, movement, proportion, craftsmanship, and the story behind the piece. For jewelry, comfort and wearability are also very important. A piece should not only look beautiful in an image; it should live naturally with the person who wears it.
What kind of emotions do you feel when you design?
When I design, I often feel curious, focused, and emotionally connected. Each project begins with a story, so I try to understand not only what the client wants visually, but also what the piece means to them. There is a quiet responsibility in that process. Designing jewelry feels intimate because I am creating something that may become part of someone’s life for many years.
What kind of emotions do you feel when your designs are realized?
When a design is finally realized, I feel grateful and moved. There is always a special moment when a sketch becomes a real piece of jewelry. The gemstone, metalwork, details, and story all come together in a tangible form. The most meaningful part is seeing the client’s reaction. When they recognize their own memory or emotion in the finished piece, that is when the design feels complete to me.
What makes a design successful?
A successful design is beautiful, meaningful, and lasting. For me, success is not only about visual impact. A design should create an emotional connection with the person who experiences it. In jewelry, a successful piece should feel personal, distinctive, and relevant even many years later.
When judging a design as good or bad, which aspects do you consider first?
I first consider whether the design has a clear point of view. Beauty is important, but a good design should also have intention. I look at proportion, composition, material, craftsmanship, emotional resonance, and whether the final object communicates its idea clearly. A strong design does not need to be loud. It needs to feel considered.
From your point of view, what are the responsibilities of a designer for society and environment?
Designers have a responsibility to create thoughtfully. In jewelry, this means respecting materials, craftsmanship, and the emotional value of what we create. I believe designers should move away from disposable thinking and create pieces that people want to keep, repair, pass down, and treasure. A well-designed object can encourage people to consume less, but with more intention.
How do you think the "design field" is evolving? What is the future of design?
I believe design is becoming more personal and more emotional. People are no longer looking only for function or status. They want objects that reflect identity, memory, and individual experience. The future of design will be shaped by personalization, craftsmanship, technology, and deeper storytelling. Technology will continue to change how we visualize and produce ideas, but the human perspective behind design will become even more important.
When was your last exhibition and where was it? And when do you want to hold your next exhibition?
Recently, my work has been presented through ARIS Fine Studio in New York, where clients can experience our jewelry in an intimate showroom setting. For the next stage, I would love to present our work internationally, especially through exhibitions that connect jewelry with nature, art, and storytelling. I am also looking forward to showing more award-recognized pieces in Europe and expanding the way people experience the world behind ARIS Fine Studio.
Where does the design inspiration for your works come from? How do you feed your creativity? What are your sources of inspirations?
My inspiration comes from nature, gemstones, personal memories, and conversations with clients. I am especially inspired by botanical structures, animals, movement, vintage photographs, journals, paintings, and the atmosphere of different places. I also find inspiration in small moments: fallen leaves, a pet’s gesture, the color of the sky, or a story someone shares with me. I feed my creativity by observing, sketching, traveling, reading, visiting museums, and staying curious about people’s lives.
How would you describe your design style? What made you explore more this style and what are the main characteristics of your style? What's your approach to design?
I would describe my style as nature-inspired, emotional, sculptural, and contemporary. My work often combines botanical forms, gemstone color relationships, movement, and personal storytelling. I am interested in creating jewelry that feels alive, as if it grew naturally around a memory or a gemstone. The main characteristics of my style are organic lines, rich color, detailed craftsmanship, and a sense of narrative. My approach always begins with observation: I try to understand the emotion, story, or natural form behind the piece before I begin sketching.
Where do you live? Do you feel the cultural heritage of your country affects your designs? What are the pros and cons during designing as a result of living in your country?
I live and work in New York. Living in New York gives me access to many cultures, museums, artists, clients, and creative communities. It is a city full of movement and individuality, and that energy influences my work. At the same time, my cultural background also affects the way I see jewelry. I have always been drawn to symbolism, memory, nature, and objects that carry emotional meaning. The combination of my background and New York’s energy helps me create work that feels personal, global, and contemporary. The challenge of living in such a fast-moving city is that everything changes quickly. As a designer, I have to protect my own pace and vision while staying open to the world around me.
How do you work with companies?
I work with companies through creative direction, jewelry design, bespoke projects, collaborations, and visual storytelling. For me, a good collaboration begins with understanding the company’s identity, audience, and long-term vision. I do not believe design should be added only at the final stage. Design should be part of the strategy from the beginning.
What are your suggestions to companies for working with a designer? How can companies select a good designer?
Companies should work with designers whose perspective aligns with their values. A good designer is not simply someone who can make something attractive. A good designer understands emotion, function, audience, material, and brand identity. When selecting a designer, companies should look for a clear point of view, consistency, strong communication skills, and the ability to translate ideas into meaningful results.
Can you talk a little about your design process?
My design process usually begins with observation and conversation. For bespoke jewelry, I first learn about the client’s story, the meaning behind the piece, and the emotions they want to preserve. Then I study references, gemstones, colors, and possible compositions. After that, I begin sketching by hand, refining the concept, and developing the design through digital tools, CAD, rendering, and production. Throughout the process, I focus on balancing beauty, wearability, craftsmanship, and emotional meaning.
What are 5 of your favorite design items at home?
Five of my favorite design items at home are vintage photographs, jewelry boxes, art books, hand-written journals, and small objects collected during travel. I like objects that carry memory. They do not have to be expensive, but they should have character, texture, and a story.
Can you describe a day in your life?
A typical day may include sketching, selecting gemstones, reviewing CAD models, meeting clients, discussing production details, planning visual content, and researching new ideas. Some days are very quiet and focused. Other days are full of conversations, decisions, and movement around New York. I enjoy the balance between creative solitude and human connection.
Could you please share some pearls of wisdom for young designers? What are your suggestions to young, up and coming designers?
Protect your curiosity and develop your own way of seeing. Do not spend too much time comparing yourself to others. Trends change quickly, but perspective lasts. Observe more, sketch more, ask better questions, and give yourself time to build a visual language that feels honest to you. A designer’s strongest asset is not only talent. It is sensitivity, consistency, and the courage to have an independent point of view.
From your perspective, what would you say are some positives and negatives of being a designer?
The most positive part of being a designer is the ability to turn ideas, emotions, and stories into something real. Design allows me to connect with people deeply and create objects that may become part of their lives for many years. The challenging part is that creative work can be emotionally demanding. You have to constantly make decisions, solve problems, manage details, and trust your own vision even when the process is uncertain.
What is your "golden rule" in design?
Pay attention to the little things. Small details often carry the strongest emotion. A curve, a color relationship, a hidden symbol, or a tiny movement in the design can completely change how a piece feels.
What skills are most important for a designer?
Observation, curiosity, communication, visual judgment, technical understanding, and emotional intelligence. A designer needs to create, but also needs to listen. Especially in bespoke jewelry, understanding people is just as important as understanding form, color, and material.
Which tools do you use during design? What is inside your toolbox? Such as software, application, hardware, books, sources of inspiration etc.?
My toolbox includes hand sketching, Procreate, CAD software, rendering tools, gemstones, color references, art books, botanical references, vintage photographs, and museum visits. I also keep notes and visual references from daily life. Sometimes the most important tool is simply a notebook, because ideas often begin as small observations before they become finished designs.
Designing can sometimes be a really time consuming task, how do you manage your time?
I manage time by dividing the process into clear stages: research, concept, sketching, design development, technical refinement, production, and final review. Creative work needs space, but jewelry also requires precision and deadlines. I try to protect focused design time while keeping communication and production organized.
How long does it take to design an object from beginning to end?
It depends on the complexity of the project. A collection piece may take several weeks, while a bespoke jewelry project often takes two to three months from the first conversation to the finished piece. More complex high jewelry designs can take longer because of gemstone sourcing, technical development, and craftsmanship.
What is the most frequently asked question to you, as a designer?
People often ask where my inspiration comes from. My answer is always observation. Most ideas begin with something small: a gemstone, a flower, a client’s story, an animal’s movement, or a memory that deserves to be preserved.
What was your most important job experience?
Building ARIS Fine Studio has been my most important experience. It required me to become not only a designer, but also a creative director, storyteller, business owner, and problem solver. Developing a brand from zero taught me how to connect artistic vision with craftsmanship, clients, communication, and long-term value.
Who are some of your clients?
Our clients are people who value craftsmanship, individuality, gemstones, and emotional storytelling. Many come to us for bespoke jewelry that celebrates relationships, pets, family memories, engagements, anniversaries, and personal milestones. They are often looking for something deeply personal rather than something mass-produced.
What type of design work do you enjoy the most and why?
I enjoy bespoke jewelry the most because it begins with real stories. Every bespoke project is different. It allows me to understand someone’s memory, emotion, or relationship and translate it into a piece that can be worn for years. That process feels very meaningful to me.
What are your future plans? What is next for you?
I plan to continue expanding ARIS Fine Studio’s Companion, Bespoke, and high jewelry collections. I am also interested in creating more immersive experiences around jewelry, nature, and storytelling. In the future, I hope to build spaces and exhibitions where people can step into the world behind the designs.
Do you work as a team, or do you develop your designs yourself?
The creative direction and design concepts begin with me, but jewelry is always a collaborative process. I work closely with skilled craftsmen, gemstone experts, CAD specialists, setters, photographers, and our studio team. A strong final piece requires both individual vision and collective craftsmanship.
Do you have any works-in-progress being designed that you would like to talk about?
I am currently working on new pieces for our Companion and Bespoke collections, including designs inspired by pets, botanical forms, movement, and meaningful personal memories. I am also developing more nature-inspired gemstone pieces that explore color, texture, and the feeling of hidden garden spaces.
How can people contact you?
People can contact ARIS Fine Studio through our official website, Instagram, or by visiting our studio in New York. We welcome clients who are interested in bespoke jewelry, gemstone pieces, engagement rings, and meaningful heirloom designs.
Any other things you would like to cover that have not been covered in these questions?
I would like people to know that my work is not only about decoration. For me, jewelry is a way to preserve memory, celebrate love, and give physical form to emotions that are difficult to describe. I hope every piece I create carries beauty, craftsmanship, and a story that can live beyond a single moment.

Extended Interview with Yi Xiong

Could you please tell us about your experience as a designer, artist, architect or creator?
I began studying sketching and oil painting at a young age. Long before I designed jewelry, I was fascinated by color, composition, and observation. I also grew up surrounded by vintage jewelry and old Polaroid photographs at home. I loved collecting memories, writing journals, and preserving meaningful moments, Today, those early interests remain at the heart of my work. As Design Director of ARIS Fine Studio in New York, I create contemporary fine jewelry that transforms memories, emotions, and personal milestones into modern heirlooms.
How did you become a designer?
I love creating form. What fascinates me most about jewelry is that such a small object can carry infinite meaning. A ring or pendant may only occupy a few centimeters, yet it can hold decades of memories, relationships, victories, transitions, and love. That idea is what drew me to fine jewelry. Every bespoke project allows me to learn about someone's life, understand their story, and create a piece that can accompany them for generations.
What are your priorities, technique and style when designing?
I never imagined I would become a jewelry designer or build my own brand. Toward the end of university, I noticed that many people were searching for careers where they could create impact. I realized that building something from zero—creating both artistic and commercial value—was the most meaningful impact I could imagine. Looking back, design was always present in my life. I simply found the medium that felt most natural to me.
Which emotions do you feel when designing?
I design contemporary fine jewelry inspired by nature, personal memories, and emotional storytelling. In the future, I would love to create more collectible high jewelry pieces and immersive experiences that combine jewelry, nature, architecture, and narrative design.
What particular aspects of your background shaped you as a designer?
Protect your curiosity. Many young designers spend too much time comparing themselves to others. Instead, they should spend more time observing, experimenting, and developing their own visual language. Your perspective is ultimately more valuable than any trend.
What is your growth path? What are your future plans? What is your dream design project?
A good designer creates beautiful objects. A great designer creates a recognizable way of seeing the world. People may forget individual pieces, but they remember a designer's perspective.
What are your advices to designers who are at the beginning of their career?
Good design balances beauty, meaning, and longevity. For me, the best designs continue revealing new details over time. They are emotionally resonant, visually distinctive, and remain relevant years after they were created.
You are truly successful as a designer, what do you suggest to fellow designers, artists and architects?
Good design enriches everyday life. It transforms ordinary objects into meaningful experiences. In jewelry, good design creates an emotional connection that often becomes more valuable over time. A well-designed piece becomes part of a person's story.
What is your day to day look like?
I would create a large-scale project exploring how memories, emotions, and nature shape human identity. It would be designed for people who value craftsmanship, individuality, and emotional connection.
How do you keep up with latest design trends? To what extent do design trends matter?
I dream of creating a series of hidden garden spaces around the world—places where jewelry, nature, storytelling, and community exist together. Each space would feel like stepping into the world behind my designs.
How do you know if a product or project is well designed? How do you define good design?
Paying attention. Most of my ideas come from small moments that others overlook: the best espresso martini on a neighboring street in New York, fallen leaves in Central Park, a pet's habit, or a conversation with a client. The smallest details often contain the most powerful stories.
How do you decide if your design is ready?
Dior High Jewelry has influenced my appreciation for color, craftsmanship, and storytelling. I am also deeply inspired by Claude Monet's paintings. His ability to capture atmosphere, light, and fleeting moments continues to influence how I think about color relationships in gemstones.
What is your biggest design work?
I admire work that feels personal rather than trend-driven. Whether it is architecture, painting, or jewelry, I am most attracted to designs that reveal a unique point of view and emotional depth.
Who is your favourite designer?
Nature. Every growth pattern, color relationship, and structural solution found in nature demonstrates an extraordinary balance between beauty and function. Nature remains the greatest designer.
Would you tell us a bit about your lifestyle and culture?
Observe more than you create. Travel, sketch, read, listen to people, and remain curious. Great design comes from understanding life, not simply understanding design.
Would you tell us more about your work culture and business philosophy?
I would likely have become a writer, interviewer, or podcast host. I have always loved understanding people's stories, backgrounds, and life experiences. In many ways, bespoke jewelry is simply another form of storytelling.
What are your philanthropic contributions to society as a designer, artist and architect?
Design is the act of giving form to something invisible. Whether it is a memory, an emotion, a relationship, or a dream, design transforms intangible experiences into something people can see, touch, and carry with them.
What positive experiences you had when you attend the A’ Design Award?
My family gave me the freedom to pursue creative work, and my clients have continuously trusted me with their most meaningful stories. Every bespoke project has shaped me as a designer.

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