Sibling jewelers celebrate Jul Dizon's legacy

Six months after the passing of Jul B. Dizon, the celebrated jeweler known for crafting haute joaillerie, her children Janina Dizon-Hoschka, Candy Dizon and daughters-in-law Lucille and Ginny Dizon are busy putting together the finishing touches on what will be the first Jul Dizon anniversary without their mother.

“It’s strange not having her around to remind us about all the things we need to finish,” Candy remarks. “She’s usually the one who puts everything together. Mom was a visual artist and she had a knack for arranging everything easily.”

“It was effortless for her,” says Janina. “She managed to do everything and, at the end, we’d have this amazing event.”

Jul Dizon was the matriarch of the family business, prodding her daughters to complete their collections, encouraging them when inspiration refused to strike or prodding them when deadlines loomed closer. “She made sure everyone’s collection was finished whenever the anniversary event neared,” Ginny reminisces.

Every year, the Dizons celebrate their anniversary with a big shopping event, held at the Shangri-La ballroom, presenting their latest collections to clients and friends.

“It’s a purely selling event,” says Janina. “Everyone can come and see our latest collection.”

This year, the siblings have put together a mini retrospective to honor their late mother’s oeuvre. Consisted of select pieces collected from clients, the selection of jewelry offers a peek into the world — and work — of the late Jul Dizon. “They won’t be for sale,” says Janina. “We just borrowed them for the anniversary.”

There are plans to form a bigger event to pay tribute to their mother. Tentatively set for November, the siblings want to offer a more comprehensive compendium of their mother’s works. For now, at the anniversary this Monday, everyone will be able to glimpse what made the much-mourned jeweler so well-loved by her peers and clients.

Fond of whimsy and florals, Jul Dizon’s pieces had a delicate touch that was difficult to recreate. In an interview last year, she told me, “I’m interested in the fanciful and the beautiful, in creating jewelry that reflects a lightness of spirit.”

Her daughters, who share their mother’s passion for the craft, are celebrating that same spirit with collections that honor her exuberance and love for the art.

Lucille Dizon

Theme of your collection?

A continuation of what I’ve done for the past two years which is oriental and Art Deco.

What should people expect from this collection?

My collection is composed of mostly earrings which can be detached in every part so that they can mix and match with their existing earrings. I also have rosary necklaces that they can wear long or short. People will expect exuberance and versatility. I still used the combination of coral, turquoise, black onyx rose-cut diamonds for a vintage feel to it.

Influences, inspiration? How did the collection’s concept materialize?  

My inspiration has always been fashion like the print and draping of a dress, curve of a shoe, texture of a fabric.

If shoppers had to leave with just one piece from you, what would it be?  

A pair of earrings because of its versatility and they’re more visible and appealing.

Last word: If your mom could see your collection, what do you think she’d say about it?

With my collection last year, she said that she was proud how I’ve bloomed and how I was prepared to compose a collection. And to hear it from her was already an accomplishment and an immense flattery for me. I’m hoping it stays that way for the years to come.

Janina Dizon-Hoschka

Theme of your collection?

I’ve always played around the idea of lucky symbols and this time, it is a feeling that I want to symbolize so I am calling this line Vivace (Italian musical term indicating a movement that is in a lively mood, pronounced “vee-VAH-chay”). I did playful combinations of gemstones in faceted form and in beads that look like rocks and I mixed it with happy colors to give it a light positive vibe. I wanted to keep it cheerful, joyous and youthful. I chose this theme to honor my mom who was always an optimistic person and her fervent love of music was always apparent.

What should people expect from this collection?

xpect vibrant and lively colors that attract the eye — and the wallet! (Laughs)

Influences, inspiration? How did the collection’s concept materialize?  

My children and the way they play with their toys are still huge inspirations for me so I am expanding my Transformer line. I also love the style of the Olsen twins so I designed with them in mind. I love how they pile on the jewelry and couture in their own devil-may-care attitude. I want people to deconstruct the concept of how jewelry should only look a certain way and be put on with mink-lined gloves.

If shoppers had to leave with just one piece from you, what would it be?  

My stingray cuffs are still as successful as my Transformer line but I would like my clients and friends to add the colorful Vivace to their collection.

Last word: If your mom could see your collection, what do you think she’d say about it?

I would hope she’d say: “Cenen (my father) and I raised the kids well.”

Ginny Dizon

Theme of your collection?

This year, I’m focusing on fine colorful gemstones. My special favorites are paraiba tourmalines and spinels. I find the neon aqua blue and the fiery shades of pink and red to be especially eye-catching and refreshing. I really feel good when handling them and wearing them, the colors pop and the vibe of these stones are particularly happy and light. I’ve also collected fine pink and green tourmalines that are perfectly cut for maximum brilliance. I chose to design classic pieces (veering away from modern and fun) to reflect timelessness and elegance that I feel should be accorded to fine gems that are perfect heirloom pieces.

What should people expect from this collection?

The minimalist approach I took this year makes the gems center-stage. I want the color, brilliance, and mystique of each stone to be highlighted.

Influences, inspiration? How did the collection’s concept materialize?  

The rainbow of colors found in gemstones has always fascinated me. I’m a sort of collector — or hoarder — of unusual stones and I want to share this love of gems. I usually hold on to a stone until I feel I have found the right design for it. Sometimes, you want to design something so outstanding and so unique that the beauty of the stone plays second fiddle. But this time around, I wanted nature to take the credit.

There is another feature to this collection, and that is versatility. Seemingly simple, many danglers can be worn as studs should the occasion call for it, or the earrings can be lengthened or shortened by adding or taking away an element.

If shoppers had to leave with just one piece from you, what would it be?  

That would be a spinel ring. I personally like to look at this stone to either cheer me up or to just admire its color and fire. It can’t fail to make you smile inside.

Last word: If your mom could see your collection, what do you think she’d say about it?

She was always encouraging us to give free rein to our creativity and imagination. Maybe that’s why you’ll find such a diversity of designs at our store. I am sure that she would find my robots amusing and ask me if anyone would actually buy it. But all the same, she would congratulate me on ingenuity and courage to create such a piece.

And as for the colorful but more simply set pieces, she would have modeled them so beautifully as she loved to wear white. I can just hear her planning what gem to wear with what wardrobe for the next event...

Candy Dizon

Theme of your collection?

Nature and whimsy, as always.

What should people expect from this collection?

Jul B. Dizon Jewelry always tries to bring something new to the table. Exciting and fun pieces using quality stones and workmanship. New colors and rare stones will be in the show especially for the collectors. They should also expect a whole lot of women who might want the same thing as they do so. My advice: Come early and when you like something, don’t think twice because the woman behind you is already eyeing it. 

Influences, inspiration? How did the collection’s concept materialize?  

I think that, of all my sisters, I am the only one that got my mom’s love for designing pieces inspired by nature. So a lot of my pieces are based on flowers, leaves, birds and a few insects. I also used my mom’s love for Paris, thus the Amoureux Collection. Mine is always fun and conversational. I try to deviate from safe and classic because my sister takes care of that department. I just want my mom’s presence to be strongly felt even if she’s already gone. 

If shoppers had to leave with just one piece from you, what would it be?

The jade leaf earrings that I am wearing in the shoot. I am almost sure it will be the first one to sell because even if it consists of simple materials, when worn, the whole room stops and looks at you. It makes that much of a statement. 

Last word: If your mom could see your collection, what do you think she’d say about it?

She would say, “Candy, you should have made more of this design because it is really nice.” But what I would want her to say is, “I am happy that you continued to work on the nature theme because it is what I would have done. To all the clients that will come to this event, you are all in good hands because I trained my children the best I could. I am sure that they will not let you down.”

Can’t afford pricey jewelry? The sibling jewelers have some advice on how to get a hold of some — without breaking bank.

Make use of old jewelry.

“Get your Lola’s or Mom’s treasure chest, look inside and get what they don’t wear any longer and have it redesigned. The old metal may be used as gold trade-in and the stones may still be used for the new piece — which means you will only end up paying for labor.” — Candy Dizon

Start with small, more affordable stones.

“High quality in gemstones is really synonymous with higher price. And price is relative to the kind of gem you are buying. But you don’t have to get the big ones or the rarest ones right away! A smaller stone with good color that is well cut can give satisfaction too! Start small but don’t scrimp on quality. A fine gemstone will always carry worth and beauty. And later on, all the smaller gems can be put together to make a stunning bigger piece.”— Ginny Dizon

Create a fund.

“Save for it. No purchase is like jewelry where it can be passed from generation to generations to come without deterioration if carefully maintained. That cannot be said for bags, clothes and shoes.” —Janina Dizon-Hoschka

Work with someone who understands your budget.

“Being the youngest and starting my own family I can totally relate with this question; that’s why I make sure that here at Jul Dizon, I can always work within your price range and means.”— Lucille Dizon