The World of
Thom Sirivattha

Spanning more than three decades, his journey has been one of quiet, dedicated exploration—a process of accumulation focused on the art of carving a single line. Tom’s jewelry does not chase trends; instead, it embodies only the "essence"—elements that have been handed down, refined, and meticulously selected. ​

 

Tom began his career as a jeweler at the **Alan Revere Academy** in San Francisco. There, he mastered every aspect of jewelry making—from casting and stone setting to wax work—through a rigorous blend of theory and practice, ultimately establishing a philosophy that "beauty is born from an understanding of the process." ​

 

Yet, his interests extended beyond mere fabrication. He next ventured into the solitary, exacting realm of engraving. After passing a highly selective admission process—accepting only five students—he studied at **GRS Glendale Corporation** in Kansas, mastering the incredibly intricate engraving techniques traditionally applied to Western firearms and knives. The intensity of working in a field that tolerates no compromise instilled a sense of "quiet dignity" in his engraving work. (Photo 1)

​

In time, Tom discovered that not only metal but also stone possesses a spirit of its own. He visited the Navajo people to immerse himself in their stone culture and spirituality, and mastered advanced stone-working techniques in a lapidary class in Hawaii. Today, while sharing his knowledge through teaching, he creates new forms of expression by fusing Hawaiian jewelry with a diverse array of natural stones. In many workshops, the production process is divided among specialists; engravers focus solely on carving, often without grasping the project as a whole. Tom, however, is different. He understands every step of the process and designs with a comprehensive view of the entire work. It is this perspective that enables him to create jewelry that remains truly complete from the very moment of its inception.

​

His sculptural work extends beyond gold and silver to include hard metals such as stainless steel. This is what enables him to offer "uncompromising sculptural beauty" even to those with metal allergies or individuals who subject their hands to heavy daily use.

 

​ Tom’s original designs—the Silhouette® Collection and the Expression® Line—fuse sculptural art with Hawaiian motifs; these copyrighted creations have become the signature pieces of the LAHANA brand. ​

​

For many years, he has also crafted the bangles worn by winners of numerous official pageants, including Miss Hawaii, Mrs. Hawaii, and Miss Teen Hawaii. In 2023, the reigning Miss Hawaii went on to win the Miss USA title, and Tom’s bangle drew the world's attention on the Miss World stage as well.

Recognized for both his technical skill and personal character, Tom became a member of *Le Progrès de l’Océanie* Lodge—the oldest Masonic lodge in Hawaii (notably, the majority of U.S. Presidents, including George Washington, were Freemasons). In addition to crafting numerous Masonic badges (Photo 2), he has been recommended as "one of Hawaii's finest jewelers."

 

Furthermore— Tom has been granted the official right by *Lodge Le Progrès de l’Océanie* to create jewelry featuring the same design as the "Master Jewel" worn by King Kalākaua, a member of the lodge (Photo 3). This lodge counted Hawaiian royalty—including King Kamehameha—among its members and is the organization that currently manages the Iolani Palace.

​

Hawaiian jewelry originated as adornments for royalty, and opportunities to encounter that "authentic lineage" remain exceedingly rare. Shen, of the music duo Def Tech, is among those captivated by Tom’s creations. From rings and Zippo lighters to fishhooks and medallions, his jewelry radiates a quiet yet commanding presence—whether on stage or in the media. (Photo 4)

 

The jewelry born from Tom’s hands bridges the past and present, technique and spirit, and the wearer’s own "will."

 

It is a "Shining Craft"—created to keep glowing across the ages