Prologue
I was born into a superstitious household. My mother would tell me legends about the mountains and rock formations surrounding Hong Kong, and its meaning for people who live under them. These mountains usually resembled humans, animals, or random objects. One of my favorite stories is of a mountain called Ma On Shan, literally translated to “horse saddle mountain” because of its resemblance to its namesake. This area is said to produce successful doctors and lawyers because back in the day, those who became scholars would travel away on horseback to study. I obviously did not live near Ma On Shan.
As I got older, I became someone who tried to find meaning in everything, though I shifted my beliefs from superstition to sentimentality. My studies in fine art led me to discover metal sculpture. I was infatuated by its poetic nature: its endless malleability. Naturally, this became the central theme in designing jewelry; that all of my pieces begin with a story, then gets interpreted by the wearer.
My hope is to create pieces that not only tell a story, but also serve as cherished heirlooms for generations to come.
Hi, my name is Cookie – a sculptor turned jewelry designer with a passion for curating the finer things in life.
My first love was sculpture; I was infatuated by its poetic nature, allowing for storytelling through a solid object. Just as strength in fragility is depicted through Louise Bourgeois’ Maman, sculpture can speak volumes, especially when words do not suffice.
About
In university, I specialized in metal sculpture. My fascination in metal came from its malleability. I played with steel, copper, bronze and then with time, graduated to 18 karat gold and precious stones. I saw that I could apply my other love of design to the intricate world of fine jewelry. This transition has allowed me to create pieces that not only tell a story, but can also serve as cherished heirlooms for generations to come.
My work is inspired by moments in my life. Beginning with the stories I, as a child, endlessly asked my mother to tell. She shared tales of superstition, and sometimes, stories that kept me up at night. Thus my fascination with folklore and mythology continues to this day, and appears in collections such as Lore.
With responsible practice as our foundation, we only use recycled gold and fair trade gemstones. We also focus on sourcing antique center stones for one-of-a-kind pieces.
Just as stories are passed through generations, my hope is that your jewelry will be too.
Registration No. A-B-26-01-10301
Cookie Jiara, under Fortune Harbour Group Limited, is a registered Category ‘A’ Dealer in Precious Metals and Stones.