Tunyaros and Tunyaluk Puriprachaya, co-founders of Tamas Jewelry. Tawatchai Kemgumnerd
Tunyaros and Tunyaluk Puriprachaya were born six minutes apart. They studied the same major. Later, they together founded a jewellery line, Tamas Jewelry. Thanks to their family business, the two grew up being familiar with handcrafted jewellery manufacturing. Before building their own brand, the twins delved more into gemology and the art of jewellery making with the aim of exporting bespoke jewellery to the international markets and, at the same time, to help support Thailand’s gem and jewellery industry.
How did you started the business?
Tunyaluk: It was in 2002 when we worked as interns in our mother’s company, which manufactures jewellery for brands. After we went to a fair in Hong Kong, we started to learn a lot more about the export standards and what the market was looking for. The Thai Pavilion has been famous for high-end jewellery, but the designs have always been of traditional styles. So we got an idea to develop our own brand to create elegant pieces with modern aesthetic. That was about a year after the exhibition in Hong Kong. Luckily, we got quite a big order from China when we started.
Anna Hu Symphony of Jewels Opus 1 is one of the luxe jewellery inspiration books Tunyaluk loves to look at. Tawatchai Kemgumnerd
How do you two manage roles in running the business?
Tunyaluk: I look after sales and marketing because I love to meet people and am more communicative. My sister is Miss Perfectionist, so she oversees the production.
How you develop the designs?
Tunyaluk: Meeting the customers directly and going to fairs is a great way to learn about market waves and trends — what is in demand, price points, market preference. So I come up with the core concepts for each collection and develop sketches with our designers. It has been a process of trial and error before really knowing what each market wants.
How about material selection?
Tunyaluk: Blue sapphire and ruby are our signature. The reason behind that is that we want to help contribute to the local industry and workmanship. Thailand is the world’s only hub for cutting and heating of these two kinds of coloured stones, no matter they are from. Also, their prices never drop. The blue sapphire we use is from Sri Lanka, while ruby is from Chanthaburi. We use other gemstones only for customised collections.
Is your background in chemical engineering useful in the business?
Tunyaros: Aside from the logical thinking, there are technical similarities, especially in the production process. Jewellery design is a combination of art and science. There is mathematics behind each finished product. It involves structural calculation, pricing formula and alignment for the wearer.
From sketches to real bejewelled pieces. Tawatchai Kemgumnerd
Blue sapphire, similar to diamond, is assessed for cut, shape, weight, measurement and colour. Tawatchai Kemgumnerd
Tunyaros visiting the manufacturing workshop, also situated in the Jewelry Trade Center, where Tamas Jewelry’s main office/showroom is located. Tawatchai Kemgumnerd
One of the in-house artisans works on the setting. Tawatchai Kemgumnerd
This source first appeared on Bangkok Post Lifestyle.