Daily TribuneKDee was established with this principle — jewelry not just as ornament, but as an expression. Each creation is treated like a family heirloom, with exceptional craftsmanship, using natural stones sourced from around the world and gold mined in the Philippines.
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Kristine Dee with her creations.
Kristine Dee at work.
Enchanted Book pendant with green malachite, turquoise, pink mother of pearl, black mother of pearl and blue lapis lazuli.
Our Lady of Guadalupe pendant on bead ball chain necklace.
ADELE cuff with bicolor tourmaline and diamonds.
Essence necklace of blue topaz with link chain necklace and Mirabella lock.
KDee x Bose in Bose store.
Kiara Bangle — tourmaline, sapphire and diamond bangle.
Amity Bangle, Charlize Bangle and Dawn Bangle.
Callie Earrings with jade, tsavorite and diamonds.
KDee x Bose Ultra Open earbuds with pearls, sapphires and diamonds.
NIXIE Earrings with pearl and diamond and Cindy earrings with Burmese ruby and diamond.
There is a quiet elegance about Kristine Dee. While many now admire her as the jeweler behind the KDee brand, her journey was shaped by craftsmanship and dedication to the craft.
The eldest of four siblings, a mother to a teenage son, Kristine grew up constantly surrounded by engineering and construction — the family business. Both her parents nurtured in her a deep appreciation for design and art — laying the solid foundation for what would become a career carved by both no-nonsense discipline and wild imagination. “I am creative, always reflecting, positive and yet engaging,” she says.
She pursued her undergraduate studies in Industrial Design at the De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde, then furthered her training at the Denmark Design School, and earned her Master’s in Industrial Design from the prestigious Pratt Institute in New York.
During her internship at Prime Studio in New York, she designed homeware for the brand Brabantia and learned an enduring lesson: “Clients trust us to deliver. So do your best all the time, regardless if the job is big or small.”
Ultimately, it was the world of jewelry that gave her a kind of creative rush! “It was the immediate satisfaction of being able to wear the piece crafted with my own hands,” she recalled. “Jewelry is a product that is well designed, crafted and worn on the body.”
KDee was established with this principle — jewelry not just as ornament, but as an expression. “Our main product is trust. The jewelry is the physical manifestation of this faith.” Each creation is treated like a family heirloom, with exceptional craftsmanship, using natural stones sourced from around the world — Sri Lanka, Brazil, Colombia, Africa, Australia, the United States — and gold mined in the Philippines.
Her latest obra, the Essence Collection, brings personalization to the fore. “The gemstones have a purpose and meaning. When you choose them, you adopt them as your own. It is your own unique DNA. It is your identity, capturing your individuality. It is your essence,” Kristine shared. Clients select chains, connectors, pendants, and stones to create accessories that reflect their own personal narrations.
Some other selections include the Enchanted Book pendants, miniature, wearable volumes inscribed with personalized engravings and constellations.
Kristine is also celebrated for her bespoke and repurposed samples. A pair of old earrings may be transformed into a modern ear climber — reimagining the sentimental into something newly spectacular. “From old to bold,” as she put it.
In a high-profile collaboration with the audio brand Bose, Kristine merged luxury and technology to design a limited-edition pair of Ultra Open Earbuds. Fashioned with 14K white gold, white sapphires, and carat diamonds, the earbuds are detachable and interchangeable across Bose’s colorways.
Her stone of choice? Aquamarine. “It’s my son’s birthstone. The neutrality of its blue shade pairs well with most stones, diamonds, and all gold colors.” Her go-to tool is far simpler: a mechanical pencil with 0.7 lead.
When life becomes overwhelming, Kristine prays. She focuses on one step at a time, and finds grounding in spending time with family, exploring new cuisines, and trips to the sea. She likewise enjoys dancing and karaoke.
Beyond design, her work is a reflection of gratitude. “Who we are is God’s gift to us. And what we become is our gift to God.” This belief fuels her ongoing charity projects — Cross for Hope pendants that support the Hope for Lupus Foundation, and Our Lady of Guadalupe pieces that benefit the Pilgrim Queen of the Family Foundation.
Let’s hear more of her thoughts on jewelry and design:
On KDee specialization
“We specialize in enhancing beauty, both of the wearer and the piece. That is the main purpose of jewelry as a product. We do this by creating pieces in remarkable design, meticulous craftsmanship, lasting quality, and impeccable taste. We enjoy cuffs and bracelets the most, as it provides a substantial area to highlight the creativity in design.”
On the popularity of the pearl
“The pearl is prized for its elegant vibe, even in its simplest form. It can be worn by men or women, dressed up or down, and accentuates well with any outfit — a blend of practicality and beauty.”
On gold
“I prefer gold — yellow, rose, and white — over silver. Silver tarnishes and needs regular cleaning. Gold is low maintenance and practical.”
On most essential jewelry
“A necklace — the right one instantly brightens the face!”
On advice to aspiring jewelers
“Find and develop your own unique style and be the most authentic version of yourself. Let your personality show through each piece you make.”
¡Enhorabuena, Kristine Dee!
