From an Idea on Paper to a Wearable Story: The Journey of "TSZ"

To Ms. Vincee Yip, our Designer and Cofounder, creating bespoke jewellery has always been an intriguing part of her day-to-day work since the very beginning of the brand. The trust clients put on her before their important occasions, the intense but joyful engagement with the clients prior to production, the commitment to production quality etc. It is never just about choosing materials—it is about bringing lives to stories/concepts. Oftentimes the process could touch upon the clients’ inner beliefs, philosophies, memorable occasions, weaving them together into something tangible and wearable.

Recently, our team had the delightful experience collaborating with a client to bring his vision from scratch to reality: a versatile, dual-wear piece that can both function seamlessly as a pendant and a brooch.

Deconstructing the Muse

Our client (“Dr. W”) came to us on a summer evening looking to start a bespoke project with us to celebrate the completion of a four-year personal exploration into the art of Zentangle and Tarot philosophy. As scholarly as he is, Dr. W shared a thoughtfully-crafted concept blending geometry, personal symbolism, and profound reflection.

As he beautifully expressed in his own words:

"What we call the beginning is often the end. And to make an end is to make a beginning... How much weight of life can a single piece bear?"

The piece, named "TSZ", was rooted in three core inspirations:

• The Geometry of Zentangle: Drawing on the triangular Tripoli pattern—a resilient, structural motif chosen for its minimalist lines and gender-neutral balance.
• The Philosophy of The Fool: Inspired by Tarot card zero (The Fool), symbolizing new departures, leaps of faith, and carrying past experiences forward into a fresh start.
• The Nuance of "Tsz" (梓): Referencing both the humble wood of the Fool’s walking staff and the traditional literary phrase Fu Tsz (sending to print)—a quiet celebration of completing a major personal chapter.

Translating the Vision

Taking a rich, two-dimensional concept and helping it take shape as a physical piece was a wonderful journey of shared problem-solving and careful craft.

"Through the meticulous processes of deconstruction and reconstruction, the finished piece achieves the ultimate equilibrium of light and hue. Guided by the expert craftsmanship of Splitting Colours, a once two-dimensional Zentangle concept has been transmuted into versatile jewellery."

Together, we structured the design around a play of lights and colours:

• Light & Color Palettes: Balancing the primary colours of light with eternity alongside primary pigment colours anchored by deep black, capturing the subtle dualities of his idea.
• Thoughtful Functionality: Designed for flexibility, the piece can be worn either as a Tripoli Necklace (representing The Magician, an emblem of action), or worn as a Tripoli Brooch (reflecting the Fool’s walking staff).

Seeing Dr. W's personal reflection eventually turn into a piece he can hold and wear was incredibly meaningful for our team. We are deeply grateful for his trust in Splitting Colours to be part of his "graduation project."

Begin Your Custom Journey with Us

Bespoke and customized jewellery projects are in higher demand than ever, as more people look for pieces that hold personal story and personal intent.

Whether you have a detailed concept, a simple sketch, or just an idea you want to explore, we would love to collaborate with you and walk through the creation process together.

Discover more of our work or connect with us to start a conversation at Splitting Colours Jewellery.