JEWELRY DESIGNER NGOC DOAN: CALMNESS FUELS CREATIVITY

Soft-spoken, reserved, and profoundly private—Ngoc Doan devotes her entire heart and creative spirit to the art of fine jewelry, transforming the purity of diamonds into timeless works of elegance.

In February of this year, Solitaire International, a prestigious global publication in the world of high jewelry, featured a diamond collection from Leman Jewelry—a first for a Vietnamese brand. At the heart of this collection is designer Ngoc Doan, the visionary behind Leman, whom the magazine hailed as one of the most distinctive emerging voices in contemporary jewelry design. Her creations were showcased in two consecutive issues: No. 100 and 102.

A formally trained designer with experience at the Gemological Institute of America, Ngoc Doan is a quiet soul—not your typical image of a bold, flamboyant artist. She is serene, grounded, and understated. Yet it is this profound stillness that allows her to truly listen to the voice of each gemstone. It is within this quiet that she connects deeply with a diamond’s essence, and lets emotion guide her artistry. From that sacred place, the uniquely poetic and emotional works of Ngoc Doan come to life.

A Quiet Corner, Where Creation Begins

Ngoc Doan’s creativity knows no boundaries. Inspiration strikes when she drives, listens to music, chats over coffee, or even during client consultations. And when she returns home, she immediately retreats to her small, intimate desk to sketch the idea that has quietly bloomed within her.

Her home, a serene apartment on the 35th floor overlooking the Saigon River, seems tailor-made for her. It is minimal and thoughtfully arranged, always scented with incense and touched by the glow of fresh flowers. Here, amid the soft notes of pianist Yiruma, Ngoc sketches her dreams—delicate lines that will one day evolve into luminous diamond masterpieces.

This space is more than just a home. It is a sanctuary of stillness in a life filled with jet-setting to diamond auctions and grand exhibitions. The simple act of pulling open the curtains, watering the waiting plants, and sinking into the quiet of a sun-drenched afternoon becomes a sacred ritual. In this space, she is most herself—peaceful and authentic. It is here that she gives form to her dreams and listens to the silent poetry of diamonds.

Where Art Balances the Rush of Life

Ngoc once confided: “If someone else could run the business and handle the clients, and I could focus only on designing… that would be true happiness.”
Like any true artist, her heart belongs to creation. But she also understands her responsibility—to the more than 30 artisans and professionals who shape Leman Jewelry with her.

“Without the piano,” she admits, “I think I’d be overwhelmed.” Each day, after work is done, she returns to her piano. The symphonies she plays don’t just soothe—they restore her. As her fingers glide over the keys, the world softens, and her spirit finds its balance again. Music is her way of closing the day, of returning to herself.

On the wall behind her desk hangs a single, oversized painting that radiates sunlight. “It’s too big for the space,” she smiles, “but when I sit back in my chair and look at it, I feel happy. I feel like there’s something solid supporting me.”

That’s who Ngoc Doan is—an artist who reveres art itself. For her, art is the quiet note that nurtures the soul, a refuge of stillness in a world that often moves too fast.

Source: Harper’s Bazaar Vietnam