Home-grown inspirations

Chinese jewelry designers are no longer just copying their international peers, instead they are creating original works that are inspired by the country's traditions.

Xie Guojun, for instance, turns an ancient Chinese compass, into a glamorous ring. A spoon-like pointer made from 18-carat gold, rests on a spiral of 18-carat white gold embedded with more than 200 small diamonds.

Called Directing the ring won Xie second prize in the Cocktail Dress group of the 6th China Jewelry Design Contest, in January. This is a national level competition hosted by the Gems and Jewelry Trade Association of China (GAC), and National Gems and Jewelry Technology Administrative Center (NGTC).