For veteran Hong Kong jeweller Tayma Page Allies, patience is key in building up a collection

Time has become a precious commodity for veteran jeweller Tayma Page Allies who is known for her one-off handmade pieces using rare coloured gemstones. Her swanky boutique in Landmark Prince's Building is a testament to her hard work and determination to succeed.

"I had no financial backing and I didn't speak the local language when I first started," says Malta-born Allies, recalling many instances when things didn't go well with her business. "Looking back, I was brave, but this journey to the present has not been without its bumps." 

Allies also claims to be a poor timekeeper. "I try to be punctual but it's almost impossible. I always have a real 'excuse' but no one believes me. I'm unemployable." Allies, who grew up in the Caribbean and West Africa, reckons it's her artistic temperament that makes her incompatible with deadlines.

Today, Allies - who moved to Hong Kong in 1985 and started studying gemmology - remains as busy as when she started Tayma Fine Jewellery 25 years ago.

"When I was growing up in the Caribbean, time seemed more flexible, things got done at your own pace. In Hong Kong we run on double time, so everything is more hectic here," says Allies, adding that she wishes she had more time most days to complete all her tasks.

"Building a jewellery collection is time-consuming and requires much patience. You have to look at the stones over and over again and try to see how to make them into one-of-a-kind pieces," adds Allies, who completed her graduate and postgraduate studies in Britain, and taught French, English and Italian in Africa. 

"As creative director, I oversee the entire design and production process. I source and choose each stone and design each piece myself. Sometimes it takes me years to complete a single piece, because I can only finish it after I have found all the right stones."