When Sifen asked me to write the introduction to her new book celebrating her ten-year association with Sotheby’s, I was delighted. Not only is she a supremely gifted jewelry designer, but over the years she has become a great friend.
Her warm, vivacious personality, intelligence and sense of humor may have made her a favorite client, but it was her talent and beautifully-made jewelry that made this decade-long collaboration such a great success.
Every meeting with Sifen was a much anticipated adventure. First she would unpack her little treasures - rings, earrings and brooches, fairly alive with beautiful colored stones or pearls, and shimmering with diamonds. Then there was the fun part - the trying on. Jewels are made to be worn and if they don’t feel good as well as look good, they are not successful as a design. Sifen understands this as well as anyone in the business.
Sifen’s creations are special in that they are strikingly modern yet are grounded by the traditional disciplines of craftsmanship and good design. As such, they are as wearable as any classic yet are far more exciting. Sifen prefers cabochon cuts or faceted stones with rounded edges such as ovals, pears or hearts, that render a softness and femininity to her designs. Colored stones, both precious and semi-precious, are usually the focal point, with careful attention being paid to the individual personality of each stone. Pearls are also a particular favorite. The first time I met Sifen I couldn’t fail to notice her stunning ring - a large cultured pearl within pave-set diamonds shoulders that sat perfectly on her hand. It is truly a signature piece that she wears frequently. It never ceases to amaze me how it never looks dated and always complements her outfit perfectly. This is what every jewel should be - one of a kind, elegant and memorable.
Sifen handles every aspect of the business herself. A one-woman powerhouse, she choses the stones and the cuts, creates the designs, supervises the manufacturing, and handles the marketing and sales. This personal, hands-on approach combined with her boundless creativity and enthusiasm has made her a favorite jeweler of all who come in contact with her.
What will the next decade hold for Sifen Chang? At present, her jewelry can be found in private collections throughout the world. She travels extensively throughout the United States, Europe and Asia creating new designs on commission for her loyal following. A rare combination of trained geologist and certified gemologist, Sifen is in a unique position to understand and appreciate both the practical and aesthetic qualities of each stone she touches. Added to that is an unerring sense of design and a most elegant personal style and there’s no limit to what she can accomplish in the future!