Insiyah Tyebjee
Designer of Extraodinary Jewelry
Inspired by art, nature, and everything in between, my designs combine elements of grace, beauty, and whimsy to result in unique pieces that will move those who wear them.
As a student of The Jewelry Design and Technology Program at the Gemological Institute of America in Carlsbad, California, I was assigned projects where I had to create jewelry for a specific idea or theme. Starting out with a mood board and target market, my concepts were designed to adhere to strict weight, cost, and manufacturing requirements.
Final Design Challenge
For this challenge I wanted to create a suite of jewelry that evokes the word, "ethereal." I designed the pieces to appear light and airy in 14k white gold with accents of flush-set blue topaz and diamonds. The three pendants, shown here on an Omega chain, are made to be worn interchangably or individually, adding to the versatility of the set. The cuff bracelet is the centerpiece of the collection in a brushed finish with larger bezel-set gems, complementing the other pieces perfectly.
Tourmaline Design Challenge
My class was presented with five large, unique tourmaline gems from G.I.A.'s museum and tasked with designing rings for them. I focused on Greek Classical Architecture and took my cues from features of columns from the Doric, Corinthian, and Ionic orders.
Bridal Set Group Project
My classmates and I took turns acting as the Designer, Product Developer, Engineer, and Marketing and Sales Analyst to create a three-piece wedding set for mass manufacturing, while adhering to strict budget constraints. My design was inspired by the simple form of the bamboo plant for the eco-minded couple.
CAD engineered by Jacky Fairfield; Rendered by Doubara Eporwei.
Japanese Edo Period Design Challenge
A collection featuring the flowers of the beautiful wisteria vine, and inspired by the shape of the obi, the belt that ties around the kimono.
Turquoise Pendant
In designing a pendant to showcase a turquoise cabochon from the G.I.A. museum, I looked to the shape of the beautiful structural supports of the Gothic Bridge in New York City's Central Park.
Hobbes
Modeling the "stuffed" tiger from the beloved comic strip, Calvin and Hobbes, in CAD proved to be one of the most enjoyable challenges of the class. I hope Bill Watterson, the creator of the strip, agrees that Hobbes looks rather dashing in sterling silver.
Art Deco Pendants
The distinctive ornamentation of Art Deco architecture in 1920s Chicago was the impetus behind this set of miniature pendants for a client who was enamored with the style after a visit to the city. Using motifs common in the era, I won the client's approval and order.
Love Key Pendants
The first design challenge of the class had us creating three key pendants with a "love" theme. My designs produced highly customizable pieces retailers could use to increase their sales for Valentines Day as well as throughout the year by widening their customer base from those seeking romantic gifts to those who wanted to express love for family and friends.
