🔓 The Forge
The Spark Made Flesh
“This…is crazy.”
That was my first thought as I began drafting the first iteration of my Passion earrings on Photoshop. I scoured the internet to see if anything like the design in my head existed, but either I didn’t look hard enough, or this truly was the first of its kind—an earring that could literally change “faces,” because, well, the mask comes off. Looking back now, I understand why there aren’t any earrings like this on the market. Several components had to align perfectly for that mechanic to actually work—and somehow still look beautiful. In fact, later in the process, the manufacturer asked me why this component was even necessary 😂 More on that later!
It took about a week before I was satisfied with the final 2D mock-up I laid out in Photoshop. I had to consider every angle to reduce confusion about what I envisioned.
These were the 2D drawings I sent to my render artist back in May 2023.
The real MVP of this whole process was my render artist so shoutout to Dinh! I could not have done any of the technical work without his expertise and input.
For the next two months, we discussed and refined every detail of the earring. The Jin inspired earrings, Freedom, took about a month to complete between us, so this was definitely a preview of just how intricate the Passion earrings would be. The smaller details—like the double-facing hoops, placement of engravings, and positioning of the center stones—all had to be exact. The story embedded within this earring couldn’t reveal itself properly if even one of those elements was off.
Keep in mind, neither my render artist nor my manufacturer knows about the lore or story behind these designs. So throughout the entire process, I’m pretty sure they thought I was a complete lunatic with my endless corrections and adjustments 😂 I’ll gladly be crazy if it means the vision comes to life though!!
What we created during the render stage was exactly what I had imagined when I first mocked up the Passion earrings in Photoshop. Seeing it realized—even just in 3D—felt surreal. I was beyond excited! I knew there would be changes to accommodate the manufacturer’s technical limitations and what was possible versus what was fantasy, but seeing it in that form was what I needed to continue on with the fight.
As I mentioned in File 01, I wasn’t in a great place after being scammed by my first manufacturer. But that incident—the heartbreak and loss—was necessary. It gave me the experience and confidence to trust my vision and build the kind of partnership I now have with the people who help bring these pieces to life. While these designs, stories, and this brand come from my mind, none of it would stand without the collaboration of so many people. I feel incredibly lucky to have found the manufacturer I work with now, and a render artist who doesn’t mind my rollercoaster of 2D sketches and ideas!
All of that—the initial 2D mock-up and the back-and-forth on the 3D render—was just the tip of the iceberg. The initial re-rendering on the manufacturer’s side went smoothly, but once we began hashing out the details, things started to get a little. . . shaky.
The Madness
The first obstacle was the placement of the magnet. The initial render didn’t show where it would go because I originally wanted it embedded into the pendulum itself, completely concealed. However, because of the small surface area alongside the purple stone already embedded on the surface of the cone, completely making the magnet invisible was not possible. Due to that confusion, the manufacturer came back with a. . . rather interesting render.
Crisis averted! Because how was I supposed to explain the symbolisms — the mask revealing the North Star underneath, the different faces the pendulum wears? They don’t even know these pieces are inspired by BTS in the first place 😂 (More on the lore in File 003.)
Due to how tricky the placement of the magnet was, however, I started to wonder if it even needed to be magnetic at all. Maybe a latch, like the Love earrings, could work. But the engineers quickly shot that down since it wouldn’t have a hinge. A clip that small just wasn’t feasible. After more back-and-forth, though, the manufacturer suggested placing the magnet on top.
I thought the issue was finally resolved with the placement of the stone. Long story short: it wasn’t. Those comments never made it through for Passion’s first sample because I didn’t double-check the final mock-up before production began. The stone ended up attached to the mask instead of the pendulum, and I knew right away I wouldn’t like it. I was already paranoid about losing the face — worried the magnet might not be strong enough to keep it secure (video explanation).
Turns out, the production of that first sample revealed yet another problem I hadn’t anticipated.
The Stand in the Fire
Because the purple stone in the Passion earrings — the pointed, diamond-shaped one — was outside the usual size range, it had to be ordered separately from another manufacturer. Hence the first sample would need to be made with white stone, instead of the purple. As the manufacturer and I continued to discuss arrangement for the proper color stones, I learned then—after two to three months of nonstop back-and-forth for a single sample—that producing the purple stones individually wasn’t possible. To get the proper color, I’d have to place a bulk order, since the stones were uniquely sized. I was blindsided, to say the least. In nearly two years of working with jewelry manufacturers, this had never happened.
Because what do you mean I have to order hundreds of pieces before even confirming the color?
What do you mean I have to tell my community:
“Oh, when you get the earrings, they’ll be purple instead of white”?
My manufacturer has always been incredibly accommodating, and the pushover, non-confrontational part of me wanted to say, “Okay, I understand.” I didn’t want to be the “difficult” client and risk our partnership—not after everything I went through with my previous manufacturer. But at that same moment, the Ciya who was scammed back then, the girl who fought tooth and nail to survive that loss and keep the business alive, came roaring back. She had learned to stand up for herself, for her besties, and for her designs.
So with adrenaline rushing through my veins and my hands literally shaking from anxiety, I stood firm. I refused to yield. I believed this was the right decision—that I wasn’t asking for too much—and if they couldn’t work with me, I would find another manufacturer for the Passion earrings.
The sigh of relief I let out when they agreed—respecting my stance and incorporating my requests—was immense. They confirmed that the first sample would use white stones to test the cut and sizing, and round purple stones that were already made to verify the color. To say I was relieved would be the understatement of the century. Even though the updated sample would take another month, it was a win, and I’ll take it!
That delay also gave me time to solve another issue the first sample had revealed: the magnetic face wasn’t secure enough for my standards. If you tossed the earrings around or did some head-banging, the mask would slip off. Moving the diamond-shaped stone off the mask like I’d wanted initially (and had unfortunately overlooked in the render) would help by making it lighter the removable lid lighter—but it still needed something more safe.
After some brainstorming, my manufacturer came up with an idea: the top would be supported by the magnet, while the bottom could be snapped in with a clip
I wasn’t thrilled at first about having a tiny dot at the tip of the pendulum, but when I received the final sample—with the proper stone placement and color—the mechanism looked completely fine. The inner engravings matched the small dot perfectly, and the face was finally secure.
I felt on top of the world!!
[Part 1 and Part 2 to Passion Earring Problem -- Instagram video format to those who like it better that way!]
The Weight of Creation
With the finalized sample—stone placement, color, and every little detail confirmed—I was finally able to release the Passion earrings for pre-order!
I didn’t realize just how much these earrings would resonate with you all. The Passion Black and Silver sold out during the pre-order phase. That had never happened before. We kicked off production within the first week of launch because the support poured in so quickly! None of my social media videos even went viral at this time—it was purely from your love and encouragement that this earring took shape so incredibly fast. Every kind comment, every DM, every “I can’t wait to wear them!” gave me a new rush of energy to push through to the last stage: delivering the jewelry to you all!
However, one after another, there were delays. At first it was due to stone production, then it was due to the magnetic function. I kept pestering my manufacturer for updates and faster solutions. I didn’t care if only half the batch was ready—I just wanted them in my hands so I could send them to all my besties who’d been waiting so patiently. I wanted to be out there matching Passion earrings with you all 😭
When the bulk order was finally done, shipped, and in my hands. . . .I hit yet another wall. At that point, the sheer love everyone had for these earrings was the only thing keeping me sane because—what do you mean there are more issues?? Unlike the sample, which was perfect, the bulk order was far from ideal.
The design itself was flawless: the stones, the engravings, the details. But the magnetic faces? A total headache. I naively thought every pair would work like the sample—that the mask would fit flush and perfect with its counterpart. Some did, thankfully, but about 80% didn’t. The masks were fitting too loose, making the it fall off regardless of the magnet/clasp combo.
So I rolled up my sleeves and got to work.
I spent four straight days—twelve hours each—bent over my workspace, pulling every earring from its package, inspecting each component, and literally flinging them around to test durability. Any that failed went into the “matchy” pile, where I’d later test every loose mask against each earring until I found its perfect fit. Once a mask stayed secure during the test, it was paired with its twin earring and set aside [here is a Instagram video of the quality check process if you like it in that format instead 😊].
It was… a lot. And this, right here, is why restocks take so long even when I technically have pieces on hand. The first bulk order of any new design is always a gamble—a hit or miss—and I learned that lesson the hard way with the Courage earrings (more on that in its dossier) 🙉
By the time I placed the bulk order for Passion Gold a few weeks later, I came prepared. I had full pages of notes and adjustments ready to go.
The revisions worked 🥂The Passion Gold earrings were so much easier to handle. Sure, not every mask was perfect, but the mismatch rate dropped from 80% to about 40%, which felt like a huge victory. Finding each earring’s “twin-flame” mask wasn’t nearly as exhausting this time.
I also switched the Passion Gold inserts to 925 silver instead of nickel-free stainless steel, and I’ve been slowly converting all my pieces to 925 silver since. It’s sturdier, more wearable, and of higher quality. The switch even made the hoops firmer and stronger—a happy surprise I’ll gladly take.
The Quiet After the Flame
The cut of the stone. The way the mask moves. The North Star at its center.
It all came to life at the end of a very long journey.
I received the final sample around New Year’s in 2023, and at that time, the Passion earrings were the longest project I’ve ever brought to life. From May 2022 to January 2023, I worked on this piece for seven months straight—plus another two during the production of the gold version to iron out its last kinks. Nine months of pure creation. And that’s not even counting the year it took to finally finance the project and bring the concept together, as many of you read in File 01.
Passion earrings stretched me in ways I didn’t even know I could stretch.
Now, looking back in 2025, I realize that the time I spent with Passion was my training arc for what would come next with The Archive Collection.
Because if Passion stretched me, the RM-inspired pieces broke me down completely—and rebuilt me from the ground up. (Those details will unfold in their own dossier soon.)
What a journey this has been.
This — this was the completion of the creation arc, but not the end of its story.
Every star, every engraving, every choice holds a meaning yet to be told.
Next File 003: The Lore
You will uncover the story, the symbols, and the intent woven into every curve and stone of the Passion earrings.