For gemmologist Dorothy Ng, diamonds are really her best friends

Gemmologist Dorothy Ng at work. Photos: Nikon

With a family history in gemmology dating back almost seven decades, Dorothy Ng has taken on her family’s vocation. Ng, 28, is now the third generation in her family to work with gems, precious stones and jewellery.

“I grew up watching my father working on the bench handcrafting the finest jewellery one could possibly imagine,” recalls Ng. “The experience of watching each beautiful gem turning into a set of jewellery was what truly captivated me. I suppose my career path was ‘set in stone’ even from then on.”

“My style is always simple and elegant, sometimes with a twist or art deco element. But it’s always timeless, durable enough for frequent wear,” explains Penang-born Ng.

“Transcending mere fashion, jewellery is intimate and personal,” adds Ng. “As a heirloom, it should be long-lasting so that it can be passed down to the next generation. In a way, it’s just like a photograph, where precious and treasured moments are captured and preserved.”

Being a “visual” person, Ng – not surprisingly – has a particular inclination towards photography. For her career, she draws inspiration from the hobby which she took up as an avid traveller in her early 20s.

“I remember this beautiful scenery shot I took of Cesky Krumlov, a small town in the Czech Republic,” muses Ng. “Besides being a keepsake, the photo inspired me to create a piece of jewellery which captured the charm of that medieval town.”

A sparkling design by Ng.

Besides providing inspiration, photography also aids in the technical aspects of Ng’s profession. As a gemmologist, one of her tasks is to identify gemstones before they are set into jewellery. Taking photographs of the gemstones are part and parcel of this process.

“It is vital in gemmology to document the identifying characteristics of certain gemstones. This will eventually help to determine the price of the gemstones,” notes Ng, citing the combination of a Nikon D5300 paired with a 105mm Micro-Nikkor Nano lens as the best for the job.

Ng also likes to take pictures the craftsmanship process. She believes the process of forging a piece of gold into fine jewellery is an endangered art that will soon to be replaced by machines.

Presently, Ng’s custom-made jewellery can be viewed at a private studio in Penang. She has plans to open a store in Kuala Lumpur by the end of the year.