A peek into the L.A. designer’s colorful life
Though she’s had her own line for just over two years, Victoria Tse has spent 10 times that in the jewelry business—and it shows. Now in its third year at the intimate Elite Enclave at JCK Las Vegas, VTse is known as the go-to brand for super-colorful, gorgeously executed, luxury precious gem jewelry. And that’s what she’ll be bringing to Elite Enclave—“pieces that incorporate vibrant colors, color, and more color,” says Tse. Case in point: the necklace pictured above, with garnet, peridot, citrine, amethyst, zircon, chrysoberyl, sapphires, and diamonds. Okay, that’s colorful.
Age: Forever 29, in my head.
Number of years in the biz: 20
Number of employees you oversee: 35
Family and pets: I have four amazing children and a loving husband.
Tse’s amazing children
Describe your personal style: Colorful, but always elegant.
First piece you ever designed: The first piece I ever designed for VTse was a multicolored (of course!) cabochon tourmaline bracelet; it’s simply gorgeous in gold.
The single piece of jewelry you’re most proud of: My drop organic and playful balloon-inspired earrings are undoubtedly my favorite design, with rich color tourmalines shaped to bring depth and pop.
Best piece of advice you ever received: “Treat everyone with the same level of respect you would expect from others because you’ll see the same people on the way up as you do on the way down.”
The worst piece of advice: “It can’t be done!”
First job ever: Working the sales floor in the fashion jewelry department at Nordstrom.
How did you get started designing jewelry? I cofounded and operated a fine jewelry manufacturing corporation. Initially, I was involved in the operational, strategic direction of the company and PR and marketing, but later I became instrumental in the creative and design process. I ran and grew the business for many years and launched my own collection in 2014.
If you weren’t designing jewelry, what would you be doing? Luxury residential real estate.
Favorite (or current favorite) gemstone: Just one? Currently, I’m loving black and fire opals and sphenes!
Jewelry you’re wearing right now: I obviously wear my own designs every day! Today, I’m wearing my wedding ring, my bamboo cuff bangle with padparadscha orange sapphires, and my everyday double drop diamond earrings with micro-pavé setting.
Items on your desk right now: Pictures of my family, a lot of pens, notepads, of course a diamond loupe, and a tray of the most incredible loose gems.
Michael Bublé
Songs on your playlist: All Michael Bublé, all day and on repeat.
Exercise regimen: Mainly chasing after and playing with my toddler. Mommy cardio, you know?
What did you have for breakfast? Chinese soy milk.
Guilty pleasure: My serious purse addiction. My most prized purse is my Gucci Crocodile Jeweled Purple Velvet Dragon Flap Bag by Tom Ford; I would own it in every color, if it were available.
Gucci Jeweled Dragon Flap Bag by Tom Ford
Drink (daytime/evening): Black lukewarm coffee/Bellini.
First website you check every day (not your own!): Instagram.
Scent: Gardenia.
How do you unwind? I don’t. Occasionally I sleep.… Did I mention I have four kids, a husband, and run a business?
Can’t-miss spot for L.A. visitor: Griffith Observatory.
Griffith Observatory
Book you’re reading: Does QuickBooks count?
Book you’ve been meaning to get to: The Boys in the Boat by Daniel James Brown. One of my sons is an active rower. We are planning to read it together this summer.
Preferred news source: NPR.
Main means of transportation: My SUV, better known as the haul-mobile.
Favorite movie: Pretty Woman.
Who would play you in your life story? Melissa McCarthy, specifically in her movie The Boss. I’ve been told she’s mouthy in the movie—let’s just leave it at that.
Personal motto: “Think fiercely, care intensely, and live vibrantly.”
Top: 18k gold bamboo cuff with orange sapphires; 18k rose gold necklace, debuting in Vegas; 18k gold sphene ring with yellow sapphires
(Griffith Observatory: Sean Pavone/Alamy; Bublé: Jeff Daly/Invision/AP)