Katherine Paul, founder of Mera Jewelry. Photo: Diego Farelo.
“If I were a gem, I would be a diamond,” says Katherine Paul. This statement gleams with the quiet strength behind her work. As the founder and creative director of Mera Jewelry, she brings together the discipline of diamond grading and the soul of a designer to craft pieces that hold both beauty and meaning. Inspired by her Colombian roots and the world’s most prized emeralds, Katherine sees jewelry not as adornment, but as emotion made tangible. It’s a reflection of individuality, resilience, and the stories women carry within their hearts.
Harper’s Bazaar (HBVN): Dear Katherine, do you remember the moment when you first fell in love with jewelry? What made gemstones so fascinating to you as a child?
KATHERINE PAUL: Yes, I do remember. My love for jewelry began when I was a child, I was always mesmerized by the way gemstones could catch the light and almost ‘come alive.’ I remember holding my mother’s pieces and feeling as if every stone carried a secret, like a tiny universe within it. The colors, the sparkles, the depth all of it felt magical to me. Gemstones fascinated me because they weren’t just beautiful objects, they had stories and meanings. Even as a little girl, I felt they had energy and personality. That sense of mystery and timelessness is what made me fall in love, and it still inspires me today as a designer.
HBZVN: Colombia is known for its exquisite emeralds. How has this heritage influenced the way you see beauty and create your designs today?
KATHERINE PAUL: Being Colombian, emeralds are part of my heritage, almost like they run in my veins. Growing up, I understood that Colombia wasn’t just a place of origin for these gems, but the heart of the world’s finest emeralds. Their depth of color, their unique vibrancy, and the fact that each one is completely different gave me a profound respect for natural beauty and individuality.
This heritage shaped the way I see beauty it taught me that true elegance is timeless, rare, and full of character. That philosophy is what inspires my designs today. My Mera Collection is a tribute to Colombian emeralds it’s about honoring tradition while reimagining it for modern women who want something both powerful and refined. For me, every emerald holds a story, and my role as a designer is to frame it in a way that celebrates both its natural brilliance and the woman who wears it.
HBZVN: You studied at the Gemological Institute of America, specializing in Diamond Grading. How did that experience shape your eye for detail and quality?
KATHERINE PAUL: Studying at the Gemological Institute of America was truly transformative. Diamond grading is all about discipline, precision, and learning to see beyond the surface. It trained my eye to notice the smallest details, the subtle differences in clarity, the exact balance of proportions, the way light travels through a stone.
That experience gave me not only technical expertise but also a deeper respect for the artistry of gemstones. Now, when I design, I don’t just think about beauty in a general sense I think about perfection in every element, from the cut and polish of a stone to the craftsmanship of the setting. GIA instilled in me the responsibility of creating jewelry that honors the integrity of each gem. For me, quality is not negotiable it’s the foundation of true luxury.
HBZVN: Each Mera design feels deeply personal. What kind of story or emotion do you hope a woman carries when she wears your jewelry?
KATHERINE PAUL: For me, jewelry has never been just an accessory. With each Mera Jewelry design I hope a woman feels that she is carrying a piece of her own story, her strength, and her beauty. I want her to feel timeless, powerful, and cherished, as if the piece was created just for her.
My goal is that when she wears one of my designs, she doesn’t just see diamonds or emeralds instead she feels the emotion behind them, the romance, the heritage, the symbolism. Whether it’s celebrating love, marking a milestone, or simply embracing her uniqueness, every Mera Jewelry piece is meant to become part of her personal legacy. I design so that women can wear not only beauty, but also meaning, confidence.
HBZVN: Your collections often feature emeralds, butterflies, and clovers. What do these symbols mean to you, and how do they reflect the spirit of Mera?
KATHERINE PAUL: Every symbol I use in my collections carries a very personal meaning. Emeralds, of course, are at the heart of Mera, they represent my Colombian roots, timeless beauty, and the rarity of nature’s treasures. They are not just gemstones, but symbols of elegance, prosperity, and heritage.
Butterflies, for me, symbolize transformation and freedom. Just like a woman evolves throughout her life, a butterfly reminds us that beauty is found in growth, in change, and in embracing every stage of our journey.
Clovers represent hope, luck, and the magic of life’s little blessings. They are a reminder that jewelry can also carry positivity and good fortune, becoming a talisman as well as a piece of art.
Together, these symbols reflect the spirit of Mera deeply personal, rooted in meaning, and designed to empower women to celebrate their individuality and the stories that make them unique.
HBZVN: As both a designer and a gem expert, how do you blend creativity with precision when working on a new piece?
KATHERINE PAUL: For me, jewelry design is the perfect dance between creativity and precision. The creative side begins with emotion and inspiration, I might be moved by a gemstone’s color, by nature, or even by a story I want to tell through the piece. That’s where imagination flows freely.
But once the vision is born, precision takes over. My gemological training allows me to evaluate every detail, the cut, clarity, proportions, and how the stone interacts with light. I study the technical aspects to make sure the piece isn’t only beautiful but also structurally perfect and timeless.
Blending these two worlds means I never sacrifice one for the other. Creativity gives soul to the design, while precision ensures its excellence. Together, they allow me to create pieces that are not only emotionally meaningful but also masterpieces of quality.
HBZVN: To you, what gives a piece of jewelry its timelessness? The gem itself, the craftsmanship, or the emotion behind it?
KATHERINE PAUL: A woman doesn’t remember a necklace only for its sparkle, she remembers how it made her feel, the story it carries, or the moment it marked in her life. For me, timelessness happens when a jewel transcends fashion and becomes part of a woman’s identity, something she treasures today and one day passes on as a symbol of love and heritage. That is when jewelry truly becomes eternal.
HBZVN: Every woman shines in her own way. If you were a gem, what would you be, and what kind of sparkle would you have?
KATHERINE PAUL: If I were a gem, I would be a diamond. Diamonds are created under immense pressure, and I feel that reflects my own journey, transforming challenges into strength, resilience, and beauty. Every stage of life, every trial, has shaped me, much like each facet that gives a diamond its brilliance.
My sparkle would be one of endurance and authenticity, not fleeting, but everlasting. Just as diamonds symbolize love, commitment, and eternity, I hope my journey and my work as a designer reflect those same values: strength, clarity, and a light that continues to shine through time..
Brand: Mera Jewelry @merajewelry_
Talent: Katherine Paul @kathe.twin
Photographer: Diego Farelo @diegofarelo
Harper’s Bazaar Việt Nam
