Elina Lans is an Amsterdam-based jeweller who has been crafting unique pieces since 2017. Formerly a lawyer, she turned to metalwork as a form of self-expression. Inspired by the jewellery tools she inherited from her great-grandmother, a jeweller and watchmaker, she discovered her love for creating meaningful and beautiful pieces. Her work is informed by a strong commitment to social justice, sustainable living, and a passion for art and animals. “Through my practice, I explore the concepts of overcoming fear, selfhood, humility, vulnerability, resilience, the art of being present, and the power of rituals.”
INTERVIEW STUDIO ELINA LANS
Do you create themed collections, or how are your individual jewellery pieces related to one another? Elina: I don’t work with traditional collections. Instead, I explore several main themes simultaneously, allowing my so-called “collections” to evolve in tandem. Most of my work consists of bespoke pieces, each one absolutely unique, never repeated.
How and where do you source your materials? Elina: Materials make my practice magical, but they also present a complex and challenging topic. The more I research and learn, the more intricate it becomes. I dedicate a significant amount of time to understanding the origins of materials, their impact on communities, whether wages are fair, and if production processes are sustainable. This year, I visited gem cutters and miners in Sri Lanka.
I always prioritize suppliers and partners who place sustainability first, but the journey toward truly understanding sustainability and minimizing negative impact is ongoing. I’m proud to be the latest atelier admitted to WJI 2030, and thanks to this initiative, I feel that my research and efforts will now gain real momentum.
How do you choose your gemstones, and how do you decide which jewellery piece they belong to? Elina: In Sri Lanka, a friend once told me: “You don’t buy a gemstone; it can only come to you through a true cosmic connection. You don’t choose a gemstone, the gemstone chooses you, arriving in your life at just the right moment.” That’s exactly how I experience it. I don’t choose the gemstones; rather, they choose me. And each stone eventually finds its special way to a client. On a technical level, I can spend hours in the offices of my gem traders, carefully selecting each stone. I understand the intricacies of cutting and polishing, and I could talk endlessly about color and inclusions. Diamonds and gemstones are among the most magnificent gifts Mother Earth has given us.
STUDIO ELINA LANS
Could you tell us more about the design process versus the making process? Elina: I am discovering myself and my roots through jewellery making. When working with metal and gemstones, I often try to understand what the material wants to become, without making prior sketches or having a fixed concept of the final piece. It’s a rather Buddhist approach, letting go of expectations and allowing the process to unfold naturally. It is, in many ways, a meditative experience.
When I do sketch, I find myself influenced by artists, contemporary dance, architecture, and literature. I am drawn to natural forms, minimalism, aesthetic purity, and basic geometric shapes. To me, jewellery is deeply meaningful and intimate. It represents the love language of gifting or serves as a ritual, something that reminds you to be present. A piece of jewellery invites you to pause, touch the metal or gemstone, and reflect on its significance.
When I create commissioned pieces, I see it as a beautiful and intimate ritual, recording a moment in someone’s life, documenting emotions in precious metals and gemstones. And, of course, I want to bring awareness to the importance of humility in craftsmanship. I also want to highlight the communities involved at every stage of jewellery making—miners, lapidaries, and jewellers—and advocate for improving their quality of life.
INTERVIEW STUDIO ELINA LANS
What inspiration is currently on your mind? Elina: Fabrics, dancers, and Art Deco. I just returned from Antwerp, where I attended a jewellery conference and searched for new fabrics for my jewellery pouches. The city inspires me immensely, there is so much I want to create immediately upon my return.
A Tulip. A tulip flower doesn’t have deep roots, yet it still blooms beautifully, just like those of us who have moved, willingly or by force, starting over, building new lives and chosen families along the way. Even without deep roots, we find our way to flourish. I dedicate this flower to all who continue to bloom, wherever life takes them. We have woven tulips into this precious diadem; the tulip, reemerging after a cold winter, symbolizes rebirth, youth, and hope. In pagan tradition, a flower wreath is a protective charm. It was believed that flowers, herbs, and leaves woven into a headpiece held magical properties.
