Meet the Designer

Shoko Obata
Founder & Jewelry Designer

Born in December 1981 in Tokyo, "Shoko" was given the her name which means "star child" because she was born under a sky filled with countless stars, a sight rarely seen in Tokyo.

Her grandfather was a craftsman who tailored custom-made clothing.

At the age of five, she donated half of her first New Year's money, sparking a lifelong commitment to supporting and volunteering in developing countries, including Bangladesh. Aspiring to contribute to international cooperation, she studied international relations, cultures, and philosophies of various countries at Ochanomizu University’s Faculty of Comparative Culture.

The influence of her grandfather, a craftsman, which instilled a strong desire to preserve exceptional traditional techniques for future generations.

The moment she inherited her grandmother’s ring and felt that jewelry is not merely an ornament but a reflection of a person’s story and emotions.

These experiences led her to recognize that jewelry could fulfill her goals of equitable business with developing countries and craftsmanship. She transitioned into the jewelry industry, working for Japanese and European jewelry companies while dedicating herself to sourcing ethical and fair-trade materials.

With the concept of Creating a sparkling world, she launched her brand in Aoyama, Tokyo, in 2011.

Currently, Shoko continues to strive in the pursuit of her commitment, overseeing the procurement of ethical materials from over 13 countries, primarily in developing regions, as well as being the star child behind the design and production processes.

In 2016, she established the "EARTHRISE Gems Studio" gemstone polishing workshop in the Swat Valley, Pakistan, to support women’s independence and education.