Look Book

44 W W W.thejeWelrybook.CoM j y e i n t e r n a t i o n a l d e s i g n e r p r o f i l e JYE's International Thirty Years of Global Success By Brooke Conner Sevenau JCK Jeweler's Choice winners and finalists for five years in a row since 2009, JYE's International and JYE Luxury Collection has evolved over the past 30 years from a major provider of fine south sea and cultured pearls to a high- end designer and manufacturer of diamond and precious gemstone jewelry. Husband and wife owners Jennifer Chang and Charles Ueng have combined their complimentary back- grounds in art, science and international business to form a creative and successful endeavor in the world of jewelry… while raising four children and running a global company with its main office in San Francisco and its manufacturing operation in Hong Kong. Chang, with Masters in both Urban Planning and International Business says that, in addition to her busi- ness background, "I was born artistic. It is in my nature. I was designing many different things before my jewelry design." Her husband, Charles Ueng who's a geologist from Stanford, "Knows the rocks, but he is also a scientist so he can put my designs into the engineering form," says Chang. This complement of skills has led to great success. Chang started Jye's International in 1983 and was well- known for importing fine quality pearls for distinctive clients in the west coast. "In order to expand the business, I started creating settings for the pearls – rings, pendants, broaches," says Chang. A good design was a profitable product even when finding pearls of the same quality and size to fit the designs was hard to do. "I can't go to the oysters and say make me 100 of this size, pinkish pearls… there are limitations," observes Chang wryly. This realiza- tion, in the early 1990s, led her to the fine jewelry manufacturing business. Starting a manufacturing business in Hong Kong had its challenges. However, over the years, we were eventu- ally able to establish a reliable team to secure our distinc- tive and powerful line. Following her success in manufacturing, Chang began working with gold and diamonds. This was quickly followed by a diversification into fine gemstones. Work- ing only with the most highly rated stones, 18 Karat gold and platinum, Chang's strategic decisions have led to a healthy and successful business. "We are very conscious about cost control so we are able to supply the market with competitive prices as well as fine workmanship and unique designs." This appealing blend of price and style attracts savvy jewelers. The bottom line according to Chang is, "If the jeweler sells it, they will come back for more. If not, they won't come back next season." Chang has been delivering season after season for over 30 years. Despite the economic downturn of the past few years, JYE's International has been steadily expanding business. Their decision to scale down stone size was an important piece of the formula. "Luxury markets should never sacri- fice quality of design or materials," says Chang. "But we could scale down price point by scaling down size." Looking back over the past 30 years Chang is grateful for what she has accomplished. "In a way it was difficult – raising four children, running a business, communicat- ing overseas in the night." says Chang. "But we are lucky. Business is good and we raised lovely children. They study hard. They have good habits. We always taught them to be diligent no matter what they choose to do. Diligent and kind."

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