Shine On

Honolulu goldsmith Jason Dow is gaining international recognition, winning a 2010 Saul Bell Design Award. His works run $1,000 and up. Contact him while you can still afford him; this guy is going places. The Coral Loft, 1033A Smith St., 722-3988, jasondow.com.

Dow says he “integrates old ideas and Eastern culture” into his jewelry designs, “with a modern twist.” This mandala-inspired pendant ($8,000) features chrysoprase and diamonds, and Dow also hand-made the chain. There are eight parts of the mandala, a nod to the eight Hawaiian Islands and a lucky number in some Asian cultures.

Using computer-aided design, Dow creates three-dimensional images of his jewelry before casting it in 14- or 18K gold or platinum. This oval mandala ring ($1,120) is also available in a circular “keepsake” model; in that version, the top unscrews so that tiny treasures can be stashed inside.