A young woman has transformed a 30-year-old family business into creating jewelry that preserves people’s cherished memories.
For many the pain of losing a dear one can be unbearable. However, one Thai entrepreneur has developed a way of keeping the memory of the recently departed forever, through jewelry.
Gemories transforms organic substances, such as human or animal hair, teeth and bones, through an innovative scientific processes and cutting-edge technology into gems, for which customers can choose both style and design, whether that be colour, shape or size.
“The highlight of the product is the use of innovations in the production, melting and extraction of organic substances containing carbon and calcium to become synthetic gemstones,” says Passornsiri, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Gemories: Gem of Memories.
Passornsiri’s father has sold pollution-free incinerators and human and animal crematoria for more than 30 years, with his daughter helping his business for about five years.
“I’ve noticed that people still have ties with their loved ones even once they have passed away, and they keep bones left over from the cremation process, according to our Thai belief,” she says. “Therefore, I just wanted to try something new. I studied the use of technology to transform bones into gems from a case study from abroad.”
After three years of technical research, plus a further two years market research, Gemories initially started by providing this service to pet owners. After two years, customers asked whether they could do the same with people.
“We are receiving more and more positive feedback,” she says. “Most is from word-of-mouth. Our gems are considered nostalgic; people can keep their memorable stories easily anywhere,” she says.
Some 90% of Gemories’ customers are from within Thailand with the rest from Malaysia and Singapore.
“My plan is to gain ISO recognition, which should be completed by the end of this year. Then we aim to promote in Hong Kong, Taiwan and Japan, since we focus on countries with limited space, as the selling point of our products is that “you can keep your valuable nostalgia with you everywhere.”
For the Thai market, Gemories plans to extend its business by establishing laboratories across the country. “The cost of setting up a lab is affordable for Thai people. Everything is manufactured in Thailand,” she says.
Passornsiri believes the craftsmanship and design of the Thai jewelry industry is accepted around the globe.
“Personally, I think if the jewelry industry in Thailand focused more on innovation, it would make our country more interesting and could open a new dimension to market development,” she adds.
The DITP will organise the 64th edition of the Bangkok Gems & Jewelry Fair on September 10-14, 2019, at IMPACT Muang Thong Thani. At the fair, buyers and visitors can discover a variety of innovative jewelry collections from Thai brands and manufacturers, including Gemories.
For more information, please visit www.gemoriesthailand.com
Words by Natthinee Ratanaprasidhi
