Ong is committed to creating jewellery with exceptional quality (Photo: Patrick Goh/The Edge Malaysia)
Michele Ong Yuk Mei hit rock bottom when her first job in the entertainment industry did not pan out the way she had hoped. After taking part in the Miss Astro Chinese International Pageant 2016, she struggled to find jobs in the competitive business, a situation made worse by the fact that her agency was strict about the kind of work she could take on.
“I’m from Penang but had to be in Kuala Lumpur during that one-year contract period to attend events almost every day,” Ong says. Fulfilling invitations meant she had to foot the bill for her clothes and beauty products. “Being a celebrity is expensive. It requires a lot of expenses to look good. My bank account got to a point where it almost reached zero. I still needed to pay my home and car loans and set aside an allowance for my parents to help with their expenditures.”
Ong was desperate to improve her financial situation but running a crystal jewellery business was not what she had in mind initially. “My mother — a crystal enthusiast — gifted me a bracelet from Brazil that was supposed to bring good luck, but I didn’t believe it at first.”
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Despite her lack of conviction in its healing properties, Ong still kept the Melody Super Seven crystal accessory close, to remind her of mum. “I don’t wear the bracelet; I just put it in my bag and carry it with me everywhere. One day, I saw a very thin streak of purple, silver and red light while in the shower. I did not understand what it meant but took it as a sign for me to do something about my life.”
She realised she had to be in charge of her own fate instead of waiting for others to make things happen for her. “I got tired of letting people pick me for shows they thought I could be a part of and felt I was not getting the same opportunities as my peers. I wanted to be the one to decide what I wanted to do for myself.”
After Ong’s contract in KL ended, she returned to George Town to start an online enterprise called Yukimoto — a portmanteau of the founder’s middle name and the abbreviation OTO (meaning online to offline, highlighting the brand’s journey from e-commerce to physical retail) — selling an assortment of locally sourced crystals.
“I would do Facebook Live to talk about the products without revealing who I was. People were expressing interest in my brand and that gave me the confidence to show my face. The number of viewers and buyers kept increasing by the day.”
While the business was doing well, Ong was not really happy with her offerings, which were traditional-style crystals. “They were outmoded and did not appeal to young crowd.” She decided to incorporate fashion elements into the brand and became more involved in the design process, besides finding the right materials to ensure the products attracted a wider audience.
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The jewellery is made both locally and overseas. Ong travels to countries such as Japan and China a couple of times a year casting about for the finest stones, crystals and pearls. Sixty per cent of the creations — most of which are bespoke — are made in Penang while the ready-to-wear collections come from Japan.
Emphasising attention to detail and quality control, she employs local goldsmiths so she can monitor their performance, especially for customised jewellery. “I work with only a few craftsmen because I am particular about their ability to deliver the best. That’s why our custom-made items take longer to complete. One piece requires at least 10 days to finish. So, in a month, we can fulfil around three orders.” The manufacturer in Japan helps to keep the inventory up-to-date.
While Ong did not have professional training in jewellery-making prior to establishing Yukimoto, she was eager to learn the ropes. From theory to practice, she picked up skills such as sketching patterns and choosing the right combination of stone and metal to form a cohesive shape, while running the business.
Size, clarity, cut and colour are key factors in determining the value of gemstones, she says. “The more transparent the stone, the higher its clarity. The cut will influence its brilliance and those with greater saturation will be more expensive.”
Instead of focusing on the final form, Ong pays more attention to the type of stone. “Design can just be anything, but the rarity comes from the stone itself. You will hardly encounter the same type twice.”
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Tourmaline, ruby, morganite, sapphire and emerald are some of the gemstones on Yukimoto’s catalogue, and most are paired with 18-carat gold to create a variety of rings, bracelets, earrings and necklaces. “In Malaysia, not many see the beauty of 18-carat gold, but it is actually widely used by high-end companies as well. Besides being durable, it is my favourite hardware to play with because of its yellow shade that is not too strong, making it suitable for the Asian skin tone.”
Since its inception in early 2018, Yukimoto has flourished to become a home-grown jewellery maker dedicated to a distinct segment comprising those fascinated by the healing powers of natural stones and sophisticated, unique and timeless designs.
Based in Menara BRDB in Bangsar, KL, its physical boutique features minimalist interior, a reflection of the founder’s personal style. The front area of the spacious showroom has display cabinets and lounges for entertaining clients who come for consultations.
What is her vision for the brand? “I want people to think of Yukimoto when they think of quality jewellery with reasonable prices,” Ong says.
Last month, the label opened a second outlet in a historical building in Lebuh Noordin, George Town — another meaningful milestone for the Penangite who started Yukimoto from home.
For more information or to purchase, visit yukimoto-official.com.
This article first appeared on Sept 16, 2024 in The Edge Malaysia.
