The colors of your designs are very soft and harmonious.

That's the intention of every collection, the source of its beauty. All the objects reinforce one another. There has to be a consistency in the colours and the shapes. It mustn't be monotonous. It's about creating a harmonious whole and that isn't necessarily easy to achieve. When I start to design a piece, I first have to find the stones, then decide the subject, then the colours that I'll be adding to create the finished work. Lastly, it has to tell a story and spark desire.

How would you define yourself? Are you an artist? A jeweller?

I'm a dream merchant! [laughs] I sell dreams, stories and beauty – at least I hope I do! I think a woman should be beautiful when she wears the jewellery. When she holds the object in her hand, she has to feel a love for it. It has to be well made, rare and precious – and above all, there has to be a story behind every piece.