Discover the founding story of Orientra: how two women, Tsering, a Tibetan artisan, and Clara, a London jewelry designer, met in Tibet and created the brand.

The Roots of Orientra

Tsering grew up in Lhasa, where her family ran a traditional boutique jewelry store that had been passed down through generations. From an early age, she was immersed in the art of Tibetan jewelry making, learning directly from her parents and grandparents, who taught her the traditional techniques of crafting meaningful, spiritual pieces. For her, jewelry was not just a decorative item, but a mesmerizing spiritual world, rich in symbols, woven through different materials and techniques, and filled with profound meaning.

A Search for Meaning

Clara, a jewelry designer from London, worked as an in-house designer for over five years before her trip to Tibet. She often felt disillusioned with the jewelry industry’s status quo: short-lived trends, homogeneous design languages, the emptiness of beauty definitions, and people's habitual mentality of wearing designer or luxury brands for social status. Clara was seeking jewelry that had more vitality, character, cultural depth, and spiritual connection. As a yoga practitioner, she also pondered how to combine the body, mind, and spirit through jewelry design and wear.

Met in Tibet

When Clara visited Tsering’s family store, she was struck by the bold look and raw power of traditional Tibetan jewelry—especially how spiritually connected the pieces were to people’s daily lives, characters, and faith. Something deeply resonated within her. Clara felt a strong urge to share this energy with the world, a desire she discovered was shared by Tsering. Additionally, Clara wanted to use traditional Tibetan jewelry as inspiration and a starting point to create something with modern, global vitality.

Bringing Two Worlds Together

For three years, Tsering and Clara worked side by side, blending their worlds—fusing traditional Tibetan techniques with Clara’s modern design sensibility. They began by creating pieces at home, selling them to friends and early supporters. In 2024, they officially launched Orientra, offering a full range of collections that marry Tibetan craftsmanship with contemporary style.

More Than Jewelry

Orientra is more than just jewelry. It’s about sharing the beauty and energy of Tibetan culture with people across the globe. Each piece has its own story and meaning, crafted for those who seek more than just a pretty accessory. We’re excited to take this journey with you.