The Sprig Collective: Diwash Shakya Jewelry

Diwash Shakya is one of MJM’s master jewelers. He grew up in a small town in Kathmandu from a family of craftsman jewelers, making him a fourth generation Nepalese jeweler. At a young age, Diwash would help his father and uncles around their home workshop. His father, being the oldest boy, was obligated to continue the family jewelry business and wanted his sons to find their own path, so he sent both Diwash and his brother to schools abroad.

After finishing university, Diwash and a friend opened a store that featured Nepalese art, handmade crafts, spiritual tokens, and jewelry. He then attended Revere Academy of Jewelry Arts and mastered basic and advanced metalsmith techniques. With these new mastered skills, Diwash plans to return to Nepal to work and learn under his father. And now, his father is happy to see both his sons' passion to continue the family business.

Shakya Jewelry uses only 20 and pure 24 karat gold, focusing on mostly traditional Tibetan style jewelry using culturally and spiritually significant stones like diamonds, sapphires, opals, rubies, and pearls. The workshop is still in their family home and uses fire kilns and mouth blown torches.

Diwash will soon return home to help run his family business, which he hopes to modernize by introducing Western techniques and styles. Jewelry is mostly viewed as a status symbol in Nepal, and is worn for special occasions. He hopes to change that culture and create pieces that are fashionable and can be worn regularly. We are honored to have the opportunity to sell these special pieces, and we look forward to seeing what he creates next!