Cindy Chao

Born and based in Taipei, Cindy Chao founded her company, Cindy Chao, The Art Jewel, in 2004. The daughter of a sculptor and granddaughter of an architect, art and design played an important role in her upbringing. She learned various techniques and skills of sculpting from her father, which would in time help her forge a distinct style and design in jewellery.

Employing cire perdue, an 18^th century technique of crafting designs in lost-wax casting, each piece is an expression of her unique vision, appreciation of rare materials and interpretation of beautiful forms.

Driven by a strong connection to nature and the beauty of what surrounds us, Chao is most known for her limited-edition Black Label Masterpieces, White Label Collection and Annual Butterfly creations. Each butterfly takes more than 18 months to complete as thousands of gemstones are set on and around delicately-moulded wings. In 2010, she became the first Taiwanese jewellery artist to have her work inducted into the Smithsonian Institution National Museum of Natural History’s gem collection.