This month we bring you an interview with Elsbeth Zimmerman, our director and head jewelry designer. Elsbeth is the heart of Lambert, bringing a welcoming presence and a designer’s eye to the office each day. If you’ve done business with us anytime in the past eight years, chances are you already know (and love!) Elsbeth, but read on to discover more about this Swiss-born painter turned gemologist.
Cheers,
Eric Forbes
Managing Director
Meet Elsbeth Zimmerman
Elsbeth, How long have you lived in Thailand?
Eleven years, all in Bangkok agglomeration. First I lived in Pathumthani, and I’ve been in central Bangkok for the past seven years.
Where else in the world have you lived?
China and the United Kingdom
What are your favorite cities to visit?
Here in Asia, I love Hanoi. It is changing and I’m afraid that it will become more globalized, but for now it is a wonderful place to see.
Hong Kong is also fascinating. The hills around the city and the harbor are very special and unique.
What did you do prior to joining Lambert?
When I came here with my husband in 1997, I had a lot of free time at hand. I was hoping for a new boost in creativity for my painting, but it did not set in. Just by chance, a friend told me about the Asian Institute of Gemological Science here in Bangkok, and so I started to study gemology. It was a challenge as I struggled not only with the subject but also with the technical language. After graduating, I got the chance to start working at Lambert.
What is your favorite spot in Bangkok? Why?
I always take visitors to the Oriental Terrace. You can see the whole city from there. Its atmosphere reflects all of the exciting aspects of Bangkok: cosmopolitanism, gentleness, people coming and going, gorgeous sunsets, and a multitude of lights and shades.
Where do you find inspiration?
There is no shortage of inspiration in Bangkok. I am inspired by wandering around shopping malls, looking at fashion magazines, going to art exhibitions and observing people. I love looking at the different gemstones and seeing customers interested in and excited about them. Being able to capture the personality of the customer and coming up with a piece of jewelry just for that particular person is what gets me going.
Who are your design influences?
My former professor Norbert Paproptny and his school of painting has had a huge influence on me. I also love the Italian blend of décor, fashion and collections, combining function with style.
What is your favorite gemstone and why?
This is a difficult question. There are so many beautiful stones. I love blue Sapphires - the color, the luster, the hardness. Aquamarines are the lovely greenish/blue color of the seawater. And of course Tourmalines, with the whole spectrum of colors and shades, are just fascinating. There are so many other stones that I love and can’t resist buying. It’s like being addicted. It’s dangerous, especially for our bank account!
What piece of jewelry do you “never leave home without”?
I always wear a ring matching my mood and most days one of my pearl necklaces. Right now the necklace I can’t leave behind is a strand of different shades of black color Tahitian pearls. It matches all my clothes.
What new trends in jewelry are you excited about?
I think in the coming years we will see a lot of affordable, interesting jewelry made of less costly special cut stones in an unusual mixture of colors. The traditional “do’s” and “don’ts” are becoming less dictating. Still, the classics will always remain classics, especially with precious gemstones.
What sets Lambert apart from other companies?
Being innovative is an important part of the Lambert philosophy, as well as continuous improvement, honesty and transparency. Our customers are not kings or queens, but the ‘centre of the world’ that is full of surprises, especially when they open the little jewel box or unwrap the package and see their pieces.
What is your favorite part of your job?
Working with customers either over the Internet or when they visit our office. I love browsing through the many beautiful stones in our stock, helping to find the right stone and design to fit the customer’s personality. It allows me to ‘transfer’ taste and feelings to a customer. The more demanding part is to empathize with a customer and to find a unique solution. Thus, our business relations are not simply a matter of exchanging ‘things’ and ‘technology’, but also include an emotional element. I do not design ‘commodities’, it’s much more personal than that.
Elsbeth, How long have you lived in Thailand?