Crafting Romantic Adventures: The Story Behind Samantha Siu’s ‘A Love Affair’ Collection

Based in New York, Samantha Siu is a jewelry brand dedicated to infusing adventure and enchantment into fine jewelry, all while maintaining a strong commitment to social and ethical responsibility.

The designer herself, Samantha, embarked on her journey in the industry at the young age of thirteen, working within her family’s high-volume manufacturing business. While pursuing her studies in the Jewelry Design program at the Fashion Institute of Technology, she discovered a passion for wax carving, which became the foundational inspiration for her brand.

The latest collection from Samantha Siu, titled ‘A Love Affair,’ draws inspiration from the designer’s first love and their shared travels. This collection celebrates history, culture, nature, and romance. Each of the ten necklaces pays tribute to a place and moment that held significance in Samantha’s personal love story.

Crafted with a contemporary and sophisticated aesthetic, the collection showcases the beauty of natural gemstones alongside intricate metalwork.

Though designed by Samantha, each necklace is handmade and assembled using traditional jewelry-making techniques by expert artisans in China and Thailand. The distinctive back clasps are initially hand-carved in wax—a nearly forgotten art in jewelry making. Each clasp requires one month to create, followed by several weeks to complete the piece, resulting in complex and finely detailed jewelry through meticulous craftsmanship.

The brand’s artisans in Thailand bring the necklaces to completion, with each finished piece undergoing careful inspection to meet the brand’s exceptional quality standards.

Embodying a romantic and adventurous lifestyle with a philanthropic essence, the ‘A Love Affair’ collection reflects the brand’s social consciousness. Ten percent of the net profits are donated to charity through its sister nonprofit, the Phoenix International Foundation, which supports nature conservation, improves teacher training in developing countries, and offers medical outreach to communities lacking accessible healthcare.

These global initiatives align seamlessly with the collection’s designs, which honor various locations and landmarks around the world.