When a precious, rough arrives at our workstation for custom gem cutting, we are challenged with bringing out its optimal value. It goes through long, tedious hours of intense focus and labour. Once the emaculate process is complete, you will be presented with a value-optimized precious stone.
Often times, as seen in the Sri Lankan gem industry, the finished gemstone wins the spotlight, rightfully so. However, our passion at Lustre Design extends not only to the custom gem cutting process, but also to uplifting the lives of people behind the laborious process that makes it possible.
In this post, we have our beloved founder Vindya Perera sharing her experience and thoughts.
1. Who inspired you to become a custom gem cutter? And how?
Nobody in particular inspired me to do it. It’s been in my family for some time. And I saw people working in the gem industry and I felt the need to help them and that sparked an interest to help do different types of cutting – mostly experimenting.
2. Do you like what you do? If yes, why?
I like what I do because it is a whole other unique way of design because you get to create different types of things according to different angles, light reflections – and it is kind of like a science.
3. Why did you choose Lustre Designs?
Speaking of the name Lustre Designs I chose Lustre because the word Lustre stands for a good cut stone. So if we have 100 percent lustre, we have 100 percent value. Hence the name Lustre Design Corporation.
4. What is the most memorable day of your career?
My most memorable day in my career was the day I won the award for the Youngest Entrepreneur of the year in the entire province.
5. What are the toughest challenges you’ve had at work?
Working with an experienced generation which is already ahead in the industry is my toughest challenge. This is because the older you get in the industry, the more stocks, the more value of stones and the more experience you have. So as being a young person with only five years of experience in the industry, there is so much to learn. But I guess that is common in every industry.
6. What are your goals for the future?
To be known as the best gem cutting service provider in Sri Lanka.
7. How would you describe your job to a bunch of five-year-olds?
Well, I do magic on stones and make them beautiful.