We, as the Designer Interviews ("DI") had the distinct pleasure and opportunity to interview award-winning, most creative and innovative Hanh Truong ("HT").
Hanh Truong is a designer and founder of Palomy, a jewelry studio specializing in custom creations centered around Australian Opal. With formal training in architecture, he applies principles of structure, proportion, and symbolism to his jewelry practice. His work explores the intersection of natural forms and meaningful motifs, aiming to create designs that resonate with personal identity and lived experience. Each piece is developed through hand-sketching, digital modeling, and close collaboration with artisans. He emphasizes comfort and adaptability, ensuring each creation reflects both the unique nature of the opal and the individuality of its wearer.
Hanh Truong Designs
We are pleased to share with you original and innovative design work by Hanh Truong.
Hanh Truong Design - The Galaxie Collection Jewelry Set
Designer Interview of Hanh Truong:
DI: Could you please tell us more about your art and design background? What made you become an artist/designer? Have you always wanted to be a designer?
HT : With a background in architecture from Hanoi University of Architecture, I was trained in the art of precision, structural integrity, and balanced proportions—skills deeply rooted in both industrial aesthetics and fine arts that continue to shape my design philosophy today. The seed of jewelry design was first planted in my mind 17 years ago when I selected the first piece of jewelry I ever gifted to my wife. That experience sparked a latent passion, but it wasn't until about five years ago, during the COVID pandemic, that this interest truly blossomed. The unexpected gift of time during lockdowns allowed me to fully immerse myself in this art form—researching, exploring, and teaching myself the craft of jewelry making. This period of dedicated self-education became transformative—from freehand sketching and conceptual design to CAD modeling and hands-on metalwork. I created my first true jewelry designs during this intense period of discovery. Along this journey, I became particularly captivated by the mesmerizing beauty of Opals. The way they capture and transform light, revealing an ever-shifting play of colors and patterns from every angle, perfectly embodies what I strive for in my designs. Opals became the catalyst that helped me refine my artistic voice, elevating my work to a distinctive fusion of architectural rigor and emotional storytelling. This unique approach—combining precise structural elements with deeply personal resonance—has become my professional signature in the world of jewelry design, born from a seed planted long ago but truly flourishing during a time when the world stood still.
DI: Can you tell us more about your company / design studio?
HT : My studio is nestled in the heart of Hanoi, Vietnam, where I've created a sanctuary for bespoke jewelry design that bridges traditional craftsmanship with contemporary vision. I specialize exclusively in creating one-of-a-kind pieces that tell a story—each a unique work of art rather than simply an accessory. At the center of my creative approach is an unwavering commitment to Australian Opals. I've chosen these extraordinary gemstones as my signature element because their captivating play of color and light perfectly embodies the transformative nature of fine jewelry—revealing different facets of beauty depending on how they're viewed and worn. What distinguishes my studio is the intimately personal nature of our process. Each creation is meticulously crafted from inception to completion—from carefully selecting the perfect stone and developing initial sketches to refining designs through CAD technology and applying the final polish. Nothing is mass-produced; everything is born from deliberate artistry. I personally oversee every aspect of this journey, meeting with each client to understand their vision, developing designs that reflect their individuality, and managing the craftsmanship to ensure exceptional quality. This hands-on approach allows me to infuse each piece with both technical precision inherited from my architectural background and the emotional resonance that makes jewelry truly meaningful to its wearer.
DI: What is "design" for you?
HT : For me, design is the sacred bridge between object and emotion—the point where precision meets poetry. It exists in that perfect balance between technical mastery—the exacting measurements and harmonious proportions I learned as an architect—and artistic intuition that speaks to something deeper within us. When I design, I'm not just creating jewelry; I'm crafting a visual language that tells each wearer's personal story through the interplay of line, light, and color. The way an opal catches sunlight differently with each movement becomes a metaphor for how we reveal different facets of ourselves to the world. At its essence, design is the art of transformation—applying aesthetic principles and creative vision to reshape raw materials and abstract ideas into something that resonates on a human level. When done right, it doesn't just adorn the body; it extends the wearer's identity and amplifies their voice without saying a word.
DI: What kinds of works do you like designing most?
HT : I'm passionate about creating statement jewelry that transcends mere accessories—pieces where architectural precision meets nature's artistry. Working primarily with opals, I'm captivated by their ability to transform with every movement, revealing new colors and patterns that mirror the multifaceted nature of the wearer. My architectural background infuses each design with balanced structure and clean lines, creating the perfect framework to showcase the dynamic beauty of these exceptional gemstones. Whether crafting a radiant opal ring that captures sunlight like a prism or an elegant necklace that frames the face with subtle iridescence, I strive to create pieces that become extensions of the wearer's identity. What truly excites me is the creative dialogue between metal and stone—how the precise angles of metalwork can enhance the fluid, unpredictable beauty of opals and other high-end gemstones. Each piece tells a unique story through this interplay, transforming technical craftsmanship into emotional resonance. This is where my passion lies: in creating wearable art that speaks to both the eye and the heart, celebrating the wearer's individuality through exceptional materials and thoughtful design.
DI: What is your favorite material / platform / technology?
HT : Nothing captivates me more than Opals—a gemstone where nature choreographs an ever-changing dance of color and light. Working with these extraordinary stones requires more than traditional techniques; it demands a specialized approach that honors their intrinsic, magical qualities. My design philosophy revolves around revealing the stone's living essence. I begin with hand sketches that capture the raw emotional potential, then transition to CAD software to refine structural precision—much like an architect plotting the skeleton of a building. The final stage returns to time-honored metalworking techniques, where human hands add those nuanced touches that transform a design from merely beautiful to truly extraordinary. This synthesis—blending cutting-edge digital tools with traditional craftsmanship—mirrors the Opal itself: complex, multilayered, revealing different facets of beauty depending on how light touches it. Each piece becomes a narrative, not just of technical skill, but of the profound dialogue between material, maker, and wearer.
DI: When do you feel the most creative?
HT : I feel most creative in two profound moments: when clients share their stories and when Opals reveal their hidden light. During conversations, each client's narrative becomes a living blueprint—their joys, experiences, and aesthetic values transforming into potential design languages. It's an intimate cartography of personal expression, where every shared detail could spark the genesis of a unique piece of jewelry. Then there are those meditative moments with Opals, studied under natural light. Each stone is a miniature universe, unfolding its own "story of light"—revealing unexpected galaxies of color that challenge me to capture their ephemeral beauty. These rough stones whisper design possibilities, their internal landscapes shifting like dreams caught between reality and imagination. In both instances, creativity emerges not from grand gestures, but from careful, almost reverential observation—listening to the subtle nuances that most would overlook, and transforming those whispers into tangible art.
DI: Which aspects of a design do you focus more during designing?
HT : I concentrate on four core pillars in every design: • Harmony with the Wearer: I design for both fit and personality—considering an individual’s proportions, skin tone, and lifestyle so each piece feels like a natural extension of themselves, not just an accessory. • Function & Structure: Drawing from architecture, I obsess over balance and weight distribution, ensuring jewelry moves fluidly with the body and stands up to everyday wear. • Light Interaction: Especially with Opals, I orchestrate setting angles, faceting, and metal choices to choreograph a “play-of-fire” that dazzles from every viewpoint. • Emotional Narrative: From the curve of metal to the choice of accent stones, every detail carries symbolic meaning, transforming each piece into a wearable story.
DI: What kind of emotions do you feel when you design?
HT : Designing sparks an initial thrill of exploration, igniting my curiosity for what’s possible. I feel a calming satisfaction when I uncover the perfect connection between creative solutions and a client’s needs. This shifts to intense focus as I refine every detail, culminating in deep fulfillment imagining the finished piece bringing joy to the client.
DI: What kind of emotions do you feel when your designs are realized?
HT : When my designs come to life, I feel immense joy and pride, knowing the piece perfectly reflects the client’s essence. Seeing them wear jewelry crafted just for them, radiating brilliance and connection, creates a profound sense of fulfillment, as if their story shines through every facet.
DI: What makes a design successful?
HT : A design is successful the moment it resonates with its owner at first fitting. It must be beautiful, comfortable, and authentically tell the client's story—while standing up to daily wear and enduring beauty. The truest triumph comes when, with each wear, the piece reveals another layer of its subtle craftsmanship and deepens the wearer's attachment, becoming not just jewelry but a fragment of their own soul.
DI: When judging a design as good or bad, which aspects do you consider first?
HT : When judging a design, I first envision how intuitively it will be worn and integrated into a wearer’s life. I look at three core aspects: balanced form for visual harmony, dynamic light interaction to bring the materials to life, and practicality—easy to wear, remove, and maintain over the long term. A truly successful design excels in all three, creating jewelry that’s both beautiful and seamlessly part of everyday life.
DI: From your point of view, what are the responsibilities of a designer for society and environment?
HT : As a designer, my first duty is environmental stewardship—creating jewelry that's made to be worn daily and cherished for years. Such enduring pieces are the true antithesis of disposable culture, reducing resource consumption and minimizing environmental impact. On the social side, each design becomes a vessel for stories: symbols, traditions, and emotions woven into every curve and facet. When clients wear these creations, they're not just adorning themselves—they're expressing identity, preserving cultural narratives, and forging heartfelt connections that enrich our collective heritage.
DI: How do you think the "design field" is evolving? What is the future of design?
HT : I think design is moving toward true personalization, with clients expecting one-of-a-kind pieces tailored to their individual stories. Digital technologies will streamline ideation and rapid prototyping, but the heart of great design will always lie in artisanal craftsmanship and emotional storytelling. Looking forward, I believe design will more perfectly marry form and function—creating objects that meet modern lifestyle needs while delighting the senses. Above all, I think the future of design will honor and elevate traditional values, weaving heritage into contemporary creations that resonate on a deeply personal level.
DI: Where does the design inspiration for your works come from? How do you feed your creativity? What are your sources of inspirations?
HT : My inspiration comes from a blend of personal connection, natural beauty, and cultural meaning. Each design often begins with a conversation—through listening to my clients’ stories, values, and emotions, I uncover the personal essence that shapes the soul of the piece. These narratives give direction and depth to my creative process. I’m also deeply moved by the beauty of nature, the small joys and experiences of everyday life, and the timeless symbolism found in different cultures. These elements offer a poetic language I translate into form and detail. My understanding of traditional jewelry-making techniques allows me to transform those inspirations into something tangible and lasting. And at the heart of it all is the Opal—its shifting colors, mysterious depth, and organic individuality never fail to awaken new ideas. Together, these sources of inspiration ensure each piece is not just visually beautiful, but emotionally meaningful and uniquely personal.
DI: How would you describe your design style? What made you explore more this style and what are the main characteristics of your style? What's your approach to design?
HT : My design style is a quiet dialogue between timeless traditions and contemporary expression. I often begin with ancient philosophies and inherited cultural values, distilling them into something subtle and elegant—something the wearer can slowly discover and connect with over time. I believe true beauty lies not only in outward form, but in the meanings embedded within: symbols, stories, and emotional resonance that reveal themselves gradually. Rooted in my background in architecture, my designs reflect clarity in structure, balanced proportions, and clean, refined lines. I intentionally combine these formal elements with the organic beauty of materials like opals and precious metals, paired with deep cultural symbolism. Each piece is crafted to serve both an aesthetic and emotional purpose—designed not to impress at first glance, but to unfold its meaning gently, layer by layer, through the experience of wearing.