Cover Jessica Judianto, founder of Heiress Jewelry
Jessica Judianto, founder of Heiress Jewelry
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Tatler+
From her beginnings in haute joaillerie to building a brand three months post-partum, Jessica Judianto is shaping a new vision of luxury–one where craftsmanship and accessibility coexist
Jewellery, for many women, is deeply personal–an extension of identity, memory, and milestones. To build a jewellery brand from the ground up is an even more intimate endeavour: one that distills not just aesthetic sensibilities, but lived experience, values and emotion into something tangible.
For Jessica Judianto, the journey of building her own brand began not in a boardroom, but in a quiet, deeply personal moment. After the birth of her first child, she found that her engagement ring and wedding band no longer fit. What began as a search for an upgrade became a moment of reckoning. Having previously worked at Graff, Judianto was no stranger to exceptional stones and the allure of large diamonds, but the thought of spending an exorbitant amount on a natural diamond upgrade gave her pause.
“I couldn’t justify spending such a large amount on something I would like to wear every day without worry or anxiety, especially with a newborn,” she reflects. “There were simply other priorities.”
Her solution was to explore lab-grown diamonds, which are chemically, optically, and structurally identical to natural diamonds, and especially, when chosen well, offer identical brilliance without the prohibitive cost. Yet what she discovered in the market was a disconnect. While the diamonds themselves could be beautiful, the craftsmanship of the settings often fell short of the standards she had grown accustomed to in high jewellery.
That gap became the foundation of Heiress Jewelry.
Craft without compromise
From the outset, Judianto was clear about what she wanted Heiress Jewelry to represent. The name itself was intentional; a reflection of her desire to create jewellery that evokes the grandeur and permanence of inherited collections, but without the traditional barriers to entry. “I wanted women to be able to build a collection worthy of an heiress,” she says, “but at an attainable price point.”
Launched three months after the birth of her second child, Heiress Jewelry was built on three pillars: uncompromising craftsmanship, timeless design, and emotional resonance. Each piece is conceived not merely as an accessory, but as a future heirloom–something that marks a moment in time and carries it forward.
This philosophy is deeply rooted in Judianto’s own relationship with jewellery. Raised between Jakarta and Singapore, she grew up observing the contrasting jewellery cultures: Indonesia’s bold, statement-driven aesthetic as opposed to Singapore’s more understated approach. Over time, these influences coalesced into a design sensibility that balances glamour with wearability.
Today, that ethos underpins Heiress: eye-catching pieces designed to be worn daily, celebrated in the present and passed down in the future.
Above Among Heiress’ best-selling designs is an oval cut diamond ring set on a pavé band (left)
Among Heiress’ best-selling designs is an oval cut diamond ring set on a pavé band (left)
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Design, detail, and distinction
Heiress Jewelry’s design language is immediately recognisable: classic, elegant, and quietly opulent. Judianto gravitates towards silhouettes that transcend trends with balanced proportions and settings that allow the diamond to take centre stage. “I don’t design for trends,” she says. “I design pieces that will still feel relevant decades from now.”
Judianto’s insistence on quality is exacting. Each piece is crafted in solid 18k gold or platinum, with a meticulous focus on the setting—a detail she considers just as, if not more, critical as the stone itself. “A beautiful diamond deserves an equally beautiful setting.”
Among Heiress’ best-selling designs is the oval cut diamond ring set on a pavé band, a style that has surged in popularity in recent years. Yet it is the more distinctive pieces that arguably capture the spirit of Heiress most vividly. The toi et moi ring, for instance, has become a standout. Featuring two stones set side by side, it is both symbolic and visually striking, representing the bond of two individuals while offering a canvas for creative expression. “With lab-grown diamonds, clients are more open to experimenting,” Judianto explains. “Designs like the toi et moi become more accessible, which allows for a bit more personality and boldness. These pieces are perfect for those who already have the classic staples in their collection.”
Her specialty in larger stones and coloured diamonds further sets the brand apart. Drawing from her experience in high jewellery, Judianto meticulously selects stones with an emphasis on cut quality and natural-looking hues—particularly important in the case of coloured lab-grown diamonds, where tone can easily appear artificial without a trained eye.
Above The toi et moi ring (right) has become a standout design, featuring two stones set side by side
The toi et moi ring (right) has become a standout design, featuring two stones set side by side
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Reframing lab-grown luxury
Despite their growing prominence, lab-grown diamonds remain subject to persistent misconceptions; something Judianto addresses passionately.
“Objectively, they are identical to natural diamonds in terms of chemical, structural and optical properties,” she says. “Without specialised equipment or checking the laser inscription on the girdle (if there’s one), you cannot tell the difference.”
For Judianto, the conversation is not about positioning lab-grown diamonds as superior or inferior, but about expanding the spectrum of choice. Many of her clients, including high-net-worth individuals, own both natural and lab-grown pieces and wear them interchangeably depending on context. Lab-grown diamonds, she believes, offer a different kind of freedom. They allow women to experiment with scale and design, to wear larger stones more confidently in everyday settings, and to travel without the same level of concern.
Perhaps more significantly, they shift the narrative around when and why jewellery is purchased. No longer confined to milestone occasions, fine jewellery becomes something that can be acquired and enjoyed more spontaneously.
“Luxury doesn’t have to be reserved for milestones,” Judianto reflects. “It can be part of your everyday life.”
Above Judianto believes in an intimate, highly-personalised experience to truly understand each client
Judianto believes in an intimate, highly-personalised experience to truly understand each client
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An intimate approach
Judianto is dedicated to bespoke client experiences and offers private consultations to truly understand each client. She meets clients by appointment in private lounges or in their homes, creating a highly personalised and unhurried experience.
Each session can last up to two hours, allowing for an in-depth consultation that goes far beyond surface-level preferences. Clients are encouraged to try on pieces, explore different diamond cuts and carat weight, and discuss design possibilities in detail. For rings in particular, the process is highly bespoke. Each piece is made to order, tailored to the client’s exact specifications, from carat weight and stone shape to setting style and metal.
But what distinguishes these sessions is not just technical precision; it is the emphasis on relationship-building.
For engagement clients, Judianto hears the story behind the ring: the proposal, the partnership, the future they envision. For career women, conversations often turn to personal milestones and achievements. For mothers, there is a shared understanding of the emotional weight behind “push presents” and symbolic upgrades.
This ethos extends into meaningful collaborations. Following the birth of her second child, Judianto partnered with luxury confinement centre, Kai Singapore—where she had completed her own confinement—to offer jewellery as push-present options for new mothers.
“Jewellery makes the best push present because of the sentimental value and meaning behind each piece,” she says. “It’s something women can wear every day, reminding themselves of the strength and love it took to bring a new life into the world.”
In this way, each piece becomes more than adornment. It ultimately becomes a modern heirloom, imbued with personal history and intended to be passed on to the next generation.
The road ahead
As Heiress Jewelry continues to grow, Judianto is focused on expanding thoughtfully through collaborations, strategic partnerships, and a broader presence across Southeast Asia. In the long term, she envisions Heiress Jewelry evolving into a regional—if not global—name, with physical retail spaces and an expanded offering that includes lab-grown coloured gemstones.
Yet beyond scale, her ambitions remain deeply personal.
“The most important thing for me is legacy,” she says. “I want to create modern heirlooms that become part of people’s lives: their milestones, special occasions, love stories, and memories. Celebrating with them with beautiful heirloom worthy pieces is the best legacy I could ask for.”
Discover Heiress Jewelry’s new expression of modern heirlooms via Instagram here.
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Credits
Images: Heiress Jewelry
Shairah Thoufeekh is the branded content director of Tatler Singapore. She oversees all creative editorial and branded storytelling projects across Tatler’s print and digital platforms—covering luxury, lifestyle, wealth, travel, and beyond.
