Garnet and Marcasite Elephant Ring from Thailand, "Crowned Elephant"

"I have a special fascination for marcasite jewelry. I think it has its own unique value because the stone allows me to create and design thousands of patterns. It is truly a must for the jewelry lover, especially when it is designed delicately and neatly, featuring the small black glitter of marcasite all over. It really looks great on one's body. It makes me feel so good whenever I see people wearing and appreciating my designs.

"My name full name is Narinee Ruttanarak and I was born and raised in Chiang Rai. My mother comes from China and she is Chinese teacher. She expected me to be able to speak Chinese, and after graduating from the faculty of arts in Chiang Mai, I went to Beijing to study Mandarin. I could finally fulfill her expectation and what's more, I can earn some extra money and support my family. My parents now have more free time and they love to spend it going out exercising and meeting their friends. Their smiles always make me happy. I am proud and I think that this is one of my successes in my life.

"I was so impressed with the Chinese way of life when I was in Beijing, but I especially loved their arts and culture, especially the traditional Chinese ornaments that are all handmade with high qualify craftsmanship.

"When I returned to Thailand in late 2000, I decided to stay in Chiang Mai and set up a little workshop with a friend. I was responsible for designing and, from time to time, production control.

"Did you know that in Asia, earrings symbolize strength? Some people regard earrings as fetishes that tell of their individual personalities and identities. And because obviously they come in pairs, they are regarded as symbols of love. That is why one of my favorite things to design is earrings.

"My inspiration comes from all that impresses me, like the exotic shape of a flower, the intricate patterns on lace, and small pretty animals. I dedicate all my attention and thought to each jewelry piece. I want to make the best product for my customer.

"I am not a business woman. Sometimes I don't understand how business works. However, I choose my way to design and sell it. So I need to adjust my thinking and find a way to make art and business get along well. This is quite a challenge for me. I am always happy when I see my finished design and a customer smiling with satisfaction while wearing one of my designs. This encourages me to keep on designing a variety of jewelries for you to wear."