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Matta
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"My name is Matta Nandrakwang, I was born and raised in Chiang Rai, the northernmost province in Thailand next to the border with Myanmar (Burma). I grew up appreciating this naturally beautiful area, home to rich and diverse cultures as well as many ancient ethnic tribes. Since the area is rich with gems and the main activity was their trade, I began to learn and develop a passion for the various gemstones.
"Ever since I was a young girl, I have been enamored with…
Matta
"My name is Matta Nandrakwang, I was born and raised in Chiang Rai, the northernmost province in Thailand next to the border with Myanmar (Burma). I grew up appreciating this naturally beautiful area, home to rich and diverse cultures as well as many ancient ethnic tribes. Since the area is rich with gems and the main activity was their trade, I began to learn and develop a passion for the various gemstones.
"Ever since I was a young girl, I have been enamored with the hill tribe people's love of jewelry. I regularly saw people around me wearing jewelry. I recall seeing a hill tribe girl my age, seven at the time, wearing beautiful silver jewelry accessorizing her colorful costume. She had silver coins hanging around her face, more silver ornaments on her, as well as beautiful beads. I couldn't take my eyes off her! I don't remember exactly what I said to my father about her, but remember clearly that afterwards I got my first gold ring with a little blue star sapphire. I felt I was on top of the world.
"Years later, when living in Bangkok during my college years, and after working for four years in a public hospital after graduation, I realized that although I liked helping people, I could not see myself being a nurse for the rest of my life. I subsequently left Thailand to travel for two years, and came to the conclusion that what I really wanted to do, was to work with gems. Even then, in the West, people would ask, 'are you going to a party?' because I was always wearing jewelry. I love wearing nice things – I always have.
"My sister and I have always enjoyed visiting jewelry shops. We would buy what we could afford, and admire the higher price pieces. I realized I had much to learn about gems and jewelry, and decided to enroll in gemology school. There I learned all about gems and jewelry making. I learned on my own about bead-making. This passion is still with me after many years. I have opened my own studio now, and I derive great joy from sharing my enthusiasm and knowledge of gems and jewelry with my visitors."
Products (65)
Handmade Aquamarine and Quartz Dangle Earrings 'Ocean Echo'
Tourmaline Om Beaded Pendant Necklace from Thailand 'Beautiful Om'
Hand Made Cultured Freshwater Pearl Dangle Earrings 'Mystic Pearl in Light Grey'
Hand Made Tourmaline and Rose Quartz Beaded Necklace 'Precious Orb in Rose'
Rose Quartz and Garnet Pendant Necklace from Thailand 'Touch of Rose'
Handmade Lapis Lazuli Chip and Brass Coin Dangle Earrings 'Golden Coin in Blue'
Handmade Garnet and Rose Quartz Beaded Necklace 'Precious Orb in Crimson'
Handmade Apatite and Cultured Pearl Dangle Earrings 'Morning Peace'
Hand Crafted Cultured Freshwater Pearl Strand 'Hostess'
Handcrafted Pearl and Jade Necklace 'Touch of Life'
Round Lapis Lazuli Dangle Earrings from Thailand 'Round Charm'
Hand Crafted Cultured Freshwater Pearl Station Necklace 'Secret Pearl in Grey'
Handcrafted Sterling Silver and Faceted Amethyst Earrings 'Lavender Breeze'
Mango Wood and Jade Necklace 'Endless Harmony'
Reconstituted Turquoise Bead and Brass Coin Dangle Earrings 'Golden Coin in Turquoise'
Black Calcite and Sterling Silver Earrings from Thailand 'Pure Black'
Cultured Freshwater Pearl and Silver Beaded Bracelet 'Sea Realm'
Sterling Silver and Jade Bead Heart Dangle Earrings 'Ethereal Orbs in Green'
Lapis Lazuli Beaded Pendant Necklace from Thailand 'Blue Grapes'
Green Quartz Beaded Dangle Earrings from Thailand 'Jungle Spheres'
Round Cultured Pearl Drop Earrings from Thailand 'Beautiful Orbs'
Sterling Silver Cultured Pearl Dangle Earrings From Thailand 'Candy Pearl'
Minimalist Jade Pendant Necklace on Stainless Steel 'Trajectory'
Hand Crafted Garnet and Cultured Pearl Earrings 'Halo Light'
Black Agate Modern Pendant Necklace from Thailand 'Modern Mood'
Sterling Silver and Recon. Turquoise Drop Earrings 'Beautiful Orbs'
Purple Amethyst and Sterling Silver Earrings from Thailand 'Pure Violet'
Cultured Pearl and Tourmaline Beaded Necklace from Thailand 'Colorful Palace'
Amethyst and Sterling Silver Dangle Earrings 'Pretty in Purple'
Rose Quartz Dangle Earrings with 18k Rose Gold Plate 'Morning Rose'
Sterling Silver Rose Quartz Pendant Necklace from Thailand 'Pink Orb of Energy'
White Gold Plated Cultured Pearl Ring 'Budding Beauty'
Hematite Beaded Necklace with Pink Cultured Pearl Pendant 'The Magic of Compassion'
Unique Beaded Amethyst and Onyx Necklace 'Brilliant Amethyst'
Black Onyx Bead and Brass Coin Dangle Earrings 'Golden Coin in Midnight'
Hand Made Jade and Sterling Silver Dangle Earrings 'Shining Moon in Green'
Gold-Plated Cultured Pearl Dangle Earrings 'Morning Pearl'
Handcrafted Bridal Pearl Strand Necklace 'Pink Sea Breath'
Lapis Lazuli Modern Pendant Necklace from Thailand 'Modern Mood'
Brass and Reconstituted Turquoise Dangle Earrings 'Sea Gold'
Pearl Strand Necklace 'Snowflake Halo'
Handmade Sterling Silver Plated and Brass Dangle Earrings 'Gold and Silver Coin'
Cultured Pearl Pendant Necklace on White Cord from Thailand 'Luminous Pebbles in White'
Sterling Silver and Blue Topaz Dangle Style Earrings 'Autumn Sky'
Natural Carnelian and Sterling Silver 925 Dangle Earrings 'Autumn Rain'
Amethyst Pendant Necklace 'Rotations'
Handmade Jade Dangle Earrings 'Spirit of Bamboo'
Lapis Lazuli Cabochon Sterling Silver Dangle Earrings 'Early Evening'
Gold Plated Cultured Pearl Taurus Earrings from Thailand 'Radiant Taurus'
Handmade Apatite and Cultured Pearl Link Bracelet 'Morning Blue'
Artisan Crafted Jade and Cultured Pearl Bracelet 'Lucky Pearl'
Rose Quartz and Garnet Beaded Dangle Earrings 'Sweet Candy'
Handmade Hematite and Cultured Pearl Pendant Necklace 'Beach Vacation'
Hand Crafted Cultured Freshwater Pearl Dangle Earrings 'Mystic Pearl in Blue'
Handcrafted Pearl Earrings 'Sweet Peach Glamour'
Pearl and Peridot Drop Earrings 'Attraction'
Handmade Grey Cultured Pearl and Garnet Strand Necklace 'Magic Pearl'
Blue Cultured Pearl and Sterling Silver Choker Necklace 'Mermaid Gem in Peacock'
Black Onyx Bead Sterling Silver Dangle Earrings 'Mood at Midnight'
Handcrafted Jade Beaded Necklace 'Ultimate Harmony'
Necklace and Bracelet Set with Cultured Pearls 'Precious Dream in White'
Sterling Silver Heart Shaped Charm Bracelet from Thailand 'Dimpled Heart'
Cultured Pearl Multi-Strand Necklace with Garnet Beads 'Chic Drops'
Cultured Pearl and Sterling Silver Rose Earrings 'Water Rose'
Jade Bead and Sterling Silver Dangle Earrings from Thailand 'Touch of Jade'
