Continue the journey
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Lots of love! Aisha and Cate
Bubble Tea Ring
Taiwan Collection
Inspiration: Taiwanese bubble tea
Materials: Gold, translucent cabochons, dark gemstones
Craft Detail: Pearl-like domes, organic curved band
Region: Taichung
Dish Profile: Sweet, tea-based, creamy
Inspiration
This piece is inspired by Taiwanese bubble tea, a milk-tea drink known for its soft beige color and chewy black tapioca pearls. The drink’s visual contrast informed the jewellery design: translucent pearl-like cabochons reflect the appearance of milk tea, while small dark gemstones reference tapioca pearls resting at the bottom of the cup. The gently curved band mirrors the fluid movement of tea when stirred or shaken. Bubble tea is typically prepared by brewing black or oolong tea, mixing it with milk or creamer, and adding tapioca pearls that are cooked until glossy and evenly rounded — a process that directly influenced the smooth surface finish of the stones.
Discovery
Aisha and Cate encountered bubble tea at a family-run tea house during their stay in Taichung. They observed how tapioca pearls are stirred continuously during cooking to maintain a uniform shape and sheen. Cate focused on the surface quality and translucency of the pearls, while Aisha noted the visual contrast between tea and pearls in the glass. These details were translated into jewellery through cabochon stone selection, spacing studies, and sketches exploring balanced stone proportions.
Travel Diary
During one visit, a tea maker explained how overcooking pearls causes surface cracking, which reinforced the importance of smooth finishes in the design. On another day, they sampled a brown-sugar version that influenced the tone of the dark gemstone accents.
Where we find our Jewellery inspiration
Click to discover our unique jewellery pieces! Inspired by food and craftsmenship all over the world.