As 2024 draws to a close, I find myself reflecting on a year filled with rich and meaningful experiences.
This year marked ith’s 10th anniversary.
It was a year of celebration, with the unveiling of new collections, special events, and fresh ventures. At the same time, we used this milestone to explore what ith should stand for, not just in Japan but globally.
One of the most significant developments this year was the formal launch of ith jewelry.
Until now, our focus had primarily been on crafting engagement and wedding rings, with diamonds as the mainstay.
However, there has been increasing interest in jewellery to celebrate anniversaries, self-rewards, and designs featuring colourful gemstones. In response, we hosted bespoke jewellery events, which I hope will serve as a stepping stone for the brand to explore new horizons.
When ith first began, I had an ideal: to build enduring relationships that stand the test of time.
Even today, 10 years on, that vision remains unchanged. Reflecting on it now, I think it embodies my desire as a craftman for people to remember ith, the rings we made, and me, during both life’s happiest and most challenging moments.
This ideal came to life in a particularly touching event.
A couple who had their wedding rings made at ith 10 years ago returned to commemorate their 10th anniversary with a bespoke ring.
During the consultation, the husband wondered if a design incorporating 10 diamonds would be fitting. However, recalling that they hadn’t created an engagement ring at the time, I suggested surprising his wife with a single diamond ring, resembling an engagement ring.
Shortly before their anniversary, the “engagement ring of 10 years” was completed.
The husband seemed both nervous and excited when collecting it, and in that moment, I was reminded of the profound joy jewellery brings—not just to the wearer but also to the giver. The surprise was a success, and seeing a family photo filled with smiles brought me immense happiness, as though it were my own story.
Being part of such a moment felt like a reward for 10 years of effort—a testament to the connections built over time.
This year also deepened my involvement with the concierges at ith’s overseas ateliers.
I visited our ateliers in Singapore and Taiwan, where I had the opportunity to convey what ith holds dear.
Despite differences in location, cultural background, language, and the brand’s history, I felt that by directly discussing what ith values—being a place that genuinely supports creating rings that are truly meaningful to the wearer—we were able to align and move in the same direction.
However, I’ll admit that the language barrier made it challenging to clearly and accurately express what matters most to ith. The differing environments occasionally made me feel adrift, and I found myself regretting not having studied English or Chinese earlier.
Even so, visiting the ateliers in person taught me that with conviction, we can find common ground anywhere.
Merely going through the motions without fully believing in your work or actions will never suffice. I want to continue supporting our concierges so that they can greet each customer with unwavering confidence.
I hope the concierges at our overseas ateliers will visualise ith’s future—10 years ahead and beyond—and take ownership of the history they are helping to create.
Over these past 10 years, I have gained countless happy memories. I hope that they, too, will experience the same sense of fulfilment.
Connections from the past, and connections to the future.
Returning to ith’s roots—engaging with customers in our ateliers and discussing ideas to their heart’s content—I want to continue building relationships, one step at a time.
Next year, I aim to strengthen and deepen these connections even further.
Please continue to watch over ith as we grow.
Ayu Takahashi, ith
