If Jewels Could Talk with Carol Woolton
Episode: Michelle Ong: The Jewellery Queen of Hong Kong
Guest: Michelle Ong, Co-founder of Carnet
Date: February 5, 2026
Episode Overview
In this captivating episode, Carol Woolton welcomes Michelle Ong—a philanthropist, businesswoman, and co-founder of the renowned Hong Kong jewelry house Carnet. Renowned for her ethereal diamond creations that blend Chinese and Western artistic traditions, Ong shares the story of her journey into jewelry, her design philosophies, and the personal, cultural, and historic inspirations behind her work. The conversation delves into not only Ong’s creative process but also her views on gemstones, women’s empowerment, and the growing global appreciation of jewels as wearable art.
Key Discussion Points and Insights
1. Cultural Heritage and Artistic Philosophy
[02:40 – 04:18]
- Michelle Ong recounts her upbringing in Hong Kong during colonial times, emphasizing the natural incorporation of both Chinese and Western cultures in her creations:
- “I’m Chinese, I grew up in Hong Kong...it’s always a mix of East and West. So it comes naturally to me. It’s not something that I need to dig in or to try to make it work.”
— Michelle Ong, [03:23]
- “I’m Chinese, I grew up in Hong Kong...it’s always a mix of East and West. So it comes naturally to me. It’s not something that I need to dig in or to try to make it work.”
- Chinese elements highlighted in Carnet’s pieces include motifs like dragons and the five elements (wood, fire, metal, earth, water).
- Ong believes jewelry forms a bridge between past and present, reflecting art, culture, and personal memory.
2. Design Process and Inspirations
[13:14 – 15:24]
- Ong does not sketch jewelry in the traditional sense. Instead, she keeps visual impressions in a notebook, then collaborates closely with her atelier:
- “I don’t sketch in the traditional or more formalized way...I just can create visual impressions of pieces...then go to the craftsman.”
— Michelle Ong, [13:51]
- “I don’t sketch in the traditional or more formalized way...I just can create visual impressions of pieces...then go to the craftsman.”
- Her process is described as dynamic and intuitive, allowing for adjustments and creative evolution during fabrication.
3. Career Beginnings and Partnership
[05:10 – 10:25]
- Ong studied sociology at the University of Toronto, then unexpectedly entered the diamond business through a family friend.
- After developing an interest in design and production, she co-founded Carnet with Avi Nagar, who handles the business and sourcing side:
- “Our roles were very clear. I’m the creative head...and he handles the rest. So this partnership is really perfect.”
— Michelle Ong, [09:44]
- “Our roles were very clear. I’m the creative head...and he handles the rest. So this partnership is really perfect.”
- The successful creative/business division is lauded as essential to her career.
4. Rose-Cut Diamonds and Quiet Elegance
[07:44 – 09:28]
- Ong’s signature use of rose-cut diamonds—favored for their “romantic, soft” quality—distinguished Carnet:
- “Big pieces can be quiet too. So there’s this quiet elegance.”
— Michelle Ong, [08:32]
- “Big pieces can be quiet too. So there’s this quiet elegance.”
- Early adoption of rose-cuts was considered brave and unconventional.
5. Empowerment and Wearability
[15:24 – 17:49]
- Ong prioritizes wearability and self-expression in her jewelry, reflecting the modern reality of women buying jewelry for themselves:
- “They’re confident...a lot of my clients, they buy their own jewelry, and in the business world now, they go to meetings, they’re not afraid to wear jewelry.”
— Michelle Ong, [16:26]
- “They’re confident...a lot of my clients, they buy their own jewelry, and in the business world now, they go to meetings, they’re not afraid to wear jewelry.”
- Daytime and evening options are both designed, with an emphasis on “quiet” but striking pieces.
6. Stones, Color Preferences, and Texture
[17:49 – 24:29]
- Although best known for her work with diamonds, Ong uses colored stones (tourmaline, Paraiba, winite) but often defaults to diamonds for their neutral versatility.
- She likens the suppleness of her pieces to “lacy patterns” and “twinkling lace” ([18:18]) and is adamant about the tactile, wearable nature of fine jewelry.
7. Craftsmanship and Materials
[19:46 – 21:01]
- Lack of formal jewelry training led Ong to innovative materials and techniques, including handmade titanium-jewelry:
- “When I started doing titanium jewelry, you know, 20 years ago...there was no casting, so we have to start from scratch...I told my craftsman, you get a hammer and hammer the volume for me.”
— Michelle Ong, [19:46]
- “When I started doing titanium jewelry, you know, 20 years ago...there was no casting, so we have to start from scratch...I told my craftsman, you get a hammer and hammer the volume for me.”
8. Symbolism of Diamonds and Personal Connection
[21:00 – 22:18]
- Ong underscores the profound symbolism of diamonds:
- “Apart from the beauty of the stone is...what it symbolizes...[diamonds] show strength, show commitment.”
— Michelle Ong, [21:32]
- “Apart from the beauty of the stone is...what it symbolizes...[diamonds] show strength, show commitment.”
- She encourages clients to consider the journey and meaning of each stone.
9. Style, Suitability, and Client Guidance
[23:36 – 25:15]
- Ong designs earrings with a clear left-and-right distinction to frame the face, insisting clients wear them correctly. She isn’t shy about steering clients toward flattering choices:
- “I drill into them, careful. It’s a mark left and right to frame the face. Exactly.”
— Michelle Ong, [24:29]
- “I drill into them, careful. It’s a mark left and right to frame the face. Exactly.”
10. Gender and Jewelry Trends
[26:39 – 27:30]
- Ong notes a shift with more men purchasing brooches instead of cufflinks—a contemporary jewelry trend.
11. Nature as Muse
[27:30 – 28:35]
- Bringing real flowers (like peonies) into her studio informs Ong’s creations, serving as a direct reference for color and texture, yet always interpreted creatively.
12. Philanthropy and Foundation Work
[28:54 – 33:26]
- Ong’s First Initiative Foundation (FIF), launched 15 years ago, supports arts, education, and community welfare in Hong Kong and globally.
- Upcoming projects include cross-cultural concerts connecting Pompeii and Xi’an, with pianist Lang Lang:
- “I woke up one day and I thought of this idea...why don’t we do something with Pompeii and Xi'an...they are both 2200 and 2500 years...so I thought it would be so great to…find a thread to thread through the two cultures.”
— Michelle Ong, [30:24 – 30:36]
- “I woke up one day and I thought of this idea...why don’t we do something with Pompeii and Xi'an...they are both 2200 and 2500 years...so I thought it would be so great to…find a thread to thread through the two cultures.”
- For Ong, jewelry and foundation work interconnect, supported by a loyal team and community.
13. Fashion and Personal Authenticity
[32:23 – 33:37]
- Ong asserts jewelry should be chosen first, then the outfit—contrary to common practice:
- “You should...think of what jewelry and then you find something to match with the jewelry...I’m very convinced it’s the wrong way round.”
— Michelle Ong, [32:47]
- “You should...think of what jewelry and then you find something to match with the jewelry...I’m very convinced it’s the wrong way round.”
- She advocates wearing what suits one’s personality, not simply following trends.
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
-
On East-West Artistic Blend:
“It’s always a mix of east and West. So it comes naturally to me.”
— Michelle Ong, [03:23] -
On Rose-Cuts & Quiet Elegance:
“Big pieces can be quiet too.”
— Michelle Ong, [08:32] -
On Creative Partnership:
“I’m the creative head focusing on our vision, design, craftsmanship, and he handles the rest.”
— Michelle Ong, [09:44] -
On Jewelry’s Symbolism:
“With so many years from the ground...it shows strength, it shows commitment.”
— Michelle Ong, [21:32] -
On Wearability & Modern Women:
“Many women buying their own jewelry...in the business world now, they go to meetings, they’re not afraid to wear jewelry, which was not the case many years back.”
— Michelle Ong, [16:26] -
On Craftsmanship:
“I like the little human maybe imperfection.”
— Michelle Ong, [20:01] -
On Philanthropy & Arts:
“I launched the foundation...to uplift our community through the support of arts, music, mentorship, performance, education, heritage and cultural opportunities, both locally and globally.”
— Michelle Ong, [29:10] -
On Fashion & Jewelry Choices:
“You should think of what jewelry and then you find something to match with the jewelry.”
— Michelle Ong, [32:46]
Timestamps for Key Segments
- Culture and Artistic Heritage: [02:40 – 04:18]
- Career Beginnings and Partnership: [05:10 – 10:25]
- Design Process: [13:14 – 15:24]
- Rose-Cut Diamonds: [07:44 – 09:28]
- Empowerment of Women Buyers: [15:24 – 17:49]
- Approach to Materials and Craftsmanship: [19:46 – 21:01]
- Symbolism in Diamonds: [21:00 – 22:18]
- Guiding Clients in Style: [23:36 – 25:15]
- Men's Jewelry Trends: [26:39 – 27:30]
- Nature as Muse: [27:30 – 28:35]
- Foundation and Philanthropy: [28:54 – 33:26]
- Closing Advice on Fashion and Jewelry: [32:23 – 33:37]
Final Takeaways
Michelle Ong offers listeners not just a glimpse into the rarefied world of high jewelry, but a window onto how culture, intuition, and deeply personal vision can shape wearable art. Her advice to approach jewelry as a creative extension of self—prioritizing passion and authenticity over passing trends—resonates beyond jewelry lovers to anyone interested in craftsmanship and creative clarity.
Listeners come away inspired by Ong’s mastery, her commitment to both tradition and innovation, and her belief in jewelry’s power to connect us to the extraordinary—both in the world and within ourselves.