Orocher Jewellry: Sculpture to wear

09/06/2008

Branches & twigs. Stones of various colors and shapes. Miniaturize them, set them in gold, and what have you got? Some exquisitely designed jewelry hardly found in retail outlets locally.

Such is the promise of Orocher Jewellery, a newly opened retail outlet at the SM North Edsa in Quezon City.

While new in the retail business, Orocher Jewellery is backed by 14 years of experience in the design and wholesale manufacturing of jewelry in Meycauyan, Bulacan, home of some of the finest jewelry craftsmen and goldsmiths in the country.

Husband and wife Ernesto Ipapo Jr. and Cherrie Marie had been working in the family-owned JC Artworks Jewellery for more than a decade until they decided last year to go on their own.

“We realized the need to serve a wider market and provide a retail store where we could offer our jewelry line in a quality shopping environment targeting customers who desire a pleasant shopping experience,” said Ernesto.

Cherrie, a professional architect before joining the Ipapo family, is the designer while Ernesto is the marketing manager with experience in manufacturing operations.

“Before, we would design and manufacture and offer them to jewelry stores,” recalled Cherrie of their experience. “Eventually, stocks not chosen by the jewelry stores ended up as unwanted inventory.”

Now venturing on their own, Cherrie said she can offer her unique designs to the retail market without worrying of the risk of excess inventory.

Cherrie said her background in architecture is helping her in conceptualizing the designs and executing them into finished products. And she takes care of every detail — from design to manufacturing.

Inspiration

Cherrie said she takes inspiration from nature and — like other creative artists — from her moods.

“I think the advantage of being an architect is I appreciate nature,” said Cherrie. “I like the view of the garden, the details of the leaves and their texture.”

Her favorite currently on display at her new outlet is a collection of collier, bangle and drop earrings designed like intertwining branches and twigs. The collection, called Romancing the Stones, is set in standard 14K white and rose gold with baguette diamonds and South Sea baroque pearls.

She said it took her three weeks to finish what she calls her obra maestra among the collections in their new retail outlet. It took her one week to create the wax model, another week for the casting and another to manufacture.

The result is a work of art that Orocher calls “Sculpture you can Wear.”

And miniature works of art they all are — from elaborately designed colliers to minimalist earrings, and their best-selling wedding bands that will make any wife want to get married again.

The Romancing the Stones collection will make any bride-to-be drool for such eye-catching accessories on the most important day in her life.

Orocher Jewellery prides itself for its expertise in pearls, gemstones and diamonds.

Despite these elegantly and uniquely crafted artworks, Cherrie said the price tag is not unique such that only a few can afford them.

“I don’t believe that just because they are unique means they are priced expensive,” said Cherrie.

While Orocher Jewellery is not catering to the mass market either, Cherrie said their collections are “competitively priced.”

“Orocher Jewellery is not for the common woman,” said Cherrie. “Orocher Jewellery is meant for women who are not afraid to experiment with styles. The collections are elegant yet simple, modern designs.”

Orocher Jewellery’s first outlet opened last Aug. 8, 2008, a date which some people believe is a lucky date because of the 080808 number combination.

Cherrie said it was just a coincidence that they opened on that date since they had been pushing for the opening of the outlet for as early as June.

Nevertheless, Cherrie said she has high hopes for her and her husband’s venture into the retail business that they are thinking of opening another outlet by next year.

Also in the pipeline are plans to join international jewellery design competitions.

Orocher Jewellery also accepts made-to-order and offers other services such as original design, repair, cleaning and plating, and resetting.

Orocher Jewellery is located at Unit 260, 2nd Level, City Center Building, SM City North Edsa, Quezon City. For inquiries, please call or text mobile number 0917.516.7477 or e-mail orocher jewellery@yahoo.com.

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