She’s “outrageous” and proud
By the time you finish reading this, Wendy Yue will probably be halfway through a new piece of jewelry. Maybe that’s a slight exaggeration…but the Hong Kong–based artist’s output is pretty astonishing. Asked which piece she’s most proud of, she replied: “I’m actually proud of every single piece. Every time I create and present a new design, which is almost every day, people are always amazed—which is why I can’t seem to stop producing new pieces. Colleagues and partners sometimes think I’m crazy!” Now excuse us while we go hang our underachieving heads in shame.
With two of her kids
Age: A monkey!
Number of years in the biz: 20
Number of employees you oversee: A small office and a large factory.
Family and pets: More than what people usually imagine—youngest are twins and eldest are a girl and a boy; cats, dogs, and recently a new bunny for one of my girls. A lively home keeps me warm.
Yue’s panoramic Safari Elephant cuff
Describe your personal style: Simple and comfortable.
First piece you ever designed: A classic piece with one plain center stone and asymmetrically aligned and shaped gemstones on the side, when I first began my career.
Most outrageous/boldest piece you ever designed: You may find the whole of landscapes on my bangles and cuffs and even on one ring. I’d say Safari Elephant was quite outrageous in terms of the panorama of scenery it contained. But you will find the word outrageous written all over each of my designs.
Malachite and tsavorite earrings
Current favorite gemstone(s): Star sapphires, Paraiba, or paraiba-colored gemstones.
Best piece of advice you ever received: “Always be humble and remember the purpose of everything that you do and how it should fulfill you internally.”
Worst piece of advice: There is never a worst piece of advice since every advice has good intentions, so no advice needs to be taken literally. Fact is that you never know when it can come in handy.
Basic intimate wraparound ring
First job ever: In a Japanese jewelry company focused on the Japanese market only.
How did you get started designing jewelry? I began in sales, but participated in a project which required me to submit concepts and designs. The collection sold very well and was a catalyst to my current passion and career.
If you weren’t designing jewelry, what would you be doing? Interior design probably—I love fixing up properties.
(photo: AC_BNphotos/iStock)
Jewelry you’re wearing right now: Wendy Yue basic intimate wraparound ring with graduating tsavorites, yellow sapphires, rhodolite garnets, and diamonds.
Items on your desk right now: Wax models, calculator, pencil/colored pens, iPhone, sketches—pretty much sums up my work.
Songs on your playlist: “Noche de Ronda,” “Sabor a Mi,” “Fly Me to the Moon,” “Bésame Mucho.”
Exercise regimen: Evening walks with my children and dogs.
(photo: A.F. Archive/Alamy)
What did you have for breakfast? A piece of Hong Kong–style bakery bread.
Guilty pleasure: Chocolate ice cream!
Drink (daytime/evening): Green tea/red wine.
First website you check every day (not your own!): I am terrible with the Internet. Ask anyone in my office; it scares them.
Scent: Freshly mowed lawns. That grassy smell rejuvenates me.
One don’t-miss spot in Hong Kong: China Club
Gong Li
(photo: A.F. Archive/Alamy)
Superstitious? Chinese zodiacs have been very accurate in my experiences. I am very curious about the Chinese zodiacs of people I work with.
Book you’re reading: Many Lives, Many Masters by Brian L. Weiss.
Book you’ve been meaning to get to: Everything I Never Told You by Celeste Ng.
Preferred news source: CNN.
Main means of transportation: Driving—and it’s really the time I generate most of my ideas.
Favorite movie: Casablanca
Who would play you in your life story? Gong Li.
Personal motto: “Always stay true to your own creativity and remember your roots.”