Ward Strootman comes from a long line of jewelers and craftsmen, with a family history deeply rooted in the world of gemstones. His great-grandfather, Bernhard Jesse, began as a diamond cutter in 1896 and later founded the Elion & Jesse diamond factory. This passion for precision and excellence was passed down through generations—first to his grandfather, Albert Jesse, who expanded the family business into the diamond trade, and then to his mother, Luciënne Jesse, who established her own jewelry brand, JeSse Jewelry. With her expertise in colored gemstones and a gemology degree from the Gemological Institute of America (GIA) in New York, she continued the family’s legacy in a new way.
 

Growing up surrounded by gemstones, Ward was the only one of his generation drawn to gemology. While studying business, he realized his true passion lay elsewhere. After completing his Bachelor’s degree, he pursued gemology at the Gemological Institute of America (GIA) in London, where his fascination with minerals and natural formations deepened. Traveling to jewelry shows and meeting experts in the field, he quickly recognized that the industry had remained largely unchanged for decades. He wanted to approach it differently.

 

Instead of seeing rough minerals solely as raw materials, he viewed them as works of art. With his knowledge of gemology and his passion for design, he sought to bridge the gap between natural history, jewelry, and art. This vision led to the creation of Ward Strootman, a design practice that transforms nature’s extraordinary materials into sculptural pieces that capture the raw beauty of the earth.

 

His work highlights the unique properties of minerals—playing with light, transparency, and form to create objects that feel both timeless and contemporary. Whether inspired by the clarity of quartz, the geometric lines of tourmaline, or the organic structures of natural formations, each piece tells a story.

 

With his designs, Ward Strootman continues a family tradition of craftsmanship—but in his own way, redefining the role of gemstones beyond jewelry, into the world of sculptural design and modern aesthetics.