New Horizons: Building a New Life in Hong Kong with Valentina Fine Jewellery 

Life can take you in unexpected directions – this is one thing I know for sure. Sometimes, though, these directions can lead to hugely exciting, life-altering events! That’s exactly what happened to jewellery designer Anastasia Gardner when she relocated with her husband and two young sons from London to Hong Kong in 2021. A series of fortuitous events followed, transforming her passion for coloured gemstones and fine jewellery into a blossoming career in bespoke design. Today, she is the founder of Valentina Fine Jewellery bespoke atelier and so I met with Anastasia during a recent visit to Hong Kong to find out more about her and her company…

It is easy to feel a kinship with Anastasia Gardner. After all, her trajectory is not drastically dissimilar to my own. She was raised in Eastern Europe, moved to London, and then packed up her entire life to move to Hong Kong with her young family. If you replace those words with St Petersburg, London and then Paris, you have my story! Plus, she has her grandmother to thank for instilling in her a love of jewellery, so that’s another thing we have in common. Valentina is actually Anastasia’s grandmother’s name (she’s now 82 years-old), and she can vividly recall her returning from a year in India laden with colourful jewellery that was begging to be tried on.

Despite these early experiences, Anastasia didn’t kickstart her jewellery business until she arrived in Hong Kong in 2021. As she explored the island and began to settle in, she saw an advert for the Hong Kong International Jewellery Show and decided to go along with her husband. A few years before she had watched the movie Crazy Rich Asians in which Michelle Yeoh wears a sensational emerald ring (from the actress’ personal collection). So, Anastasia was hyper-fixated on emeralds when she stepped into that Hong Kong trade show in search of something special.

“I saw the most incredible neon green coloured Colombian emerald that I couldn’t forget as I walked around the show,” she tells me. “Fast forward a few hours, my husband finally agreed to buy the emerald for me as a ‘Welcome to Hong Kong’ gift.” Within the space of a few hours, Anastasia had set aside her past career in investment banking and had enrolled onto the GIA Graduate Gemologist program with the dream of becoming a jewellery designer. She later turned that loose emerald into a trilogy ring with two yellow diamonds and it remains a key part of the Valentina Fine Jewellery collection. ‘I was dying for an emerald ring that didn’t break the bank and so our signature cocktail ring was born. It’s dreamy and vintage looking with the most insane emerald centre over 6 carats in weight, nothing quite screams I love emeralds than a giant cocktail ring gracing your hand,’ shares the designer.

When I visited Anastasia earlier this year, it was clear just how far she has come in a handful of years. She has partnered with a trustworthy atelier in Hong Kong to produce her designs, which have expanded beyond Colombian emeralds to include a range of coloured stones, colourless and fancy colour diamonds, and signature design motifs.

“My vision is simple: to bring joy, elegance, and exceptional craftsmanship to my clients through distinctive designs,” Anastasia explains. “Valentina Fine Jewellery invites women everywhere to indulge in fine jewellery, not as a birthday or a Christmas treat, but as an everyday celebration for jewellery.”

In between trying on beautiful emerald rings, aquamarine earrings, and oval-shaped diamond engagement rings, I sat down with Anastasia to ask some questions about her brand and its signature style. The highlights are included below.

Katerina Perez: You have only been in business for a short time. How has your brand evolved since 2021?

Anastasia Gardner: Initially, I focused on classic diamond pieces, but today, each design is crafted to evoke joy and memories. I love to experiment, drawing inspiration from nature, treasured moments with my children, places I visit and even everyday delights – a playful doughnut, a starfish or my son’s beloved polar bear toy.

Starting a business in a new industry came with its challenges. Finding a trusted Hong Kong based workshop and building relationships with reliable gem and diamond suppliers were critical steps.

KP: What do you think separates your business from other luxury bespoke jewellers in Hong Kong and beyond?

AG: In Hong Kong, a city with endless options for classic solitaire rings, I bring a distinct twist to engagement rings through bold colour, unique styles (the curved signature curved shank for example), and a truly bespoke experience. I infuse personality into each creation – whether it’s a unique gemstone accent, bespoke-cut side stones, or a hidden birthstone tucked inside the band, every element reflects the individuality of the wearer.

KP: Is there a jewellery style typical for Hong Kong?

AG: The halo trend certainly reigns, with many opting for chunky, double, or starburst halos to frame their gems. But I feel that a clean, effortless setting brings out a gemstone’s brilliance and timeless allure like nothing else.

KP: What are your most important design inspirations?

AG: My design inspirations are deeply rooted in my love for gemstones. Each piece begins with a stone that I fall in love with, and from there, the design unfolds to highlight its beauty. To me, gemstones are more than just vibrant colours, they evoke memories and emotions, and my goal is to bring this sense of meaning to my clients. Nature and the places I’ve visited play a big part in my creative process. A deep blue sapphire reminds me of a starry midnight sky, while a fiery ruby recalls the intense reds of a Cape Town sunset. The striking green hues of a Colombian emerald transport me to the turquoise waters of the Maldives. Each stone is a story, a memory waiting to be shared. I imagine each piece a hundred years from now, passed down to a great-granddaughter who feels a connection to the woman who wore it before her, evoking a sense of nostalgia, connection and pride.

KP: Are there any specific pieces that really exemplify your signature aesthetic?

AG: Our signature cocktail gemstone rings are a vibrant celebration of colour and boldness. From the serene sea-foam blue of aquamarines to the lush green of emeralds, we embrace a “go big or go home” philosophy. I firmly believe in wearing your jewellery every day, no matter the occasion, be it a hike, a trip to the supermarket, a school drop off, or a fancy dinner. Jewellery should be loved and worn, and not hidden away in a dark safe.

KP: It’s quite interesting to see that you have enriched your classical collection with some funky and modern charms. Please, tell us more about them.

AG: Our new charm pendant line bursts with detail, colour and creativity, featuring a mix of 18k gold, platinum, and gemstones that reflect my playful design side. Our first charm, the doughnut pendant, is handcrafted from 18k yellow gold with platinum icing, adorned with custom-cut, no-heat pastel rainbow sapphires that I personally sourced in Bangkok. Inspired by the delicious doughnuts my kids enjoyed during our family holiday, this unisex piece carries a special meaning and receives endless compliments. Next, we designed a pendant that embodies the spirit of Hong Kong, the Beckoning Cat. This charm, handset with bright green tsavorite garnets, radiant rubies, and black diamond eyes, is a beloved symbol of luck often found in homes and businesses. Lastly, we have a stunning two-tone gold bee pendant, meticulously crafted with yellow, black, and colourless diamonds. Each of these pendants tells a story, inviting the wearer to celebrate life’s joyful moments.

KP: What is on the horizon for your upcoming collections?

AG: I am in the process of designing unique chains, as I recognise the growing popularity of necklaces in 2024. My 18k solid gold ball chain necklace with a scattering of diamonds and platinum links handcrafted in Hong Kong is already a hit, a staple piece for any jewellery lover, pairs perfectly with our charm pendants.

Throughout my meeting with Anastasia, I had a feeling that I was witnessing a ‘one to watch’ brand at the start of its journey. There’s a deep-rooted femininity within Valentina Fine Jewellery, as well as a love of luxury not simply for luxury’s sake, but for its sense of stability, long-term value, comforting weight and heirloom possibilities. These are the principles that will take the brand to the next level as it continues to grow. Let’s watch this space together!