From the courtroom to the jeweler’s bench, Judith Tjallingii walks two worlds that seem miles apart, yet in her hands, they touch.
As a lawyer, she balances truths and perspectives. As a jewelry designer, she transforms imperfect gemstones into extraordinary works of art. Her story is about resilience, beauty, and the deep connection between ethics and aesthetics.
Step into the world of Judith Tjallingii and discover how she blends good with beautiful.
Judith Woolderink-Tjallingii, lawyer and jewelry designer
Meet Judith Tjallingii
Some people have one career, one passion.
Judith Tjallingii has two.
In the courtroom, she is a lawyer who thrives in complexity, often mediating between citizens and government in cases that carry deep emotional and societal weight.
Outside of it, she steps into her studio, where beautiful gemstones lie waiting to become something poetic, creative, and simply extraordinary. Dutch jewelry designer Judith Tjallingii lives in a beautiful town near Arnhem. Not far from my hometown.
"Law and Jewelry seem so very different to me," I told Judith. And she said, with her softspoken voice, "Indeed, they are two worlds that may seem far apart, yet they are deeply connected." My work is rooted in a profound awareness of existence and a deep appreciation for the creative power of humanity. I honour the existing frameworks, yet I am driven by the ability to add to them, working at the intersection of ethics and aesthetics, where the good converges with the beautiful." This unique perspective of Judith's work sets her apart in both the legal and artistic worlds.
She seeks truth, perspective, and a way to illuminate something meaningful in her law practice and her passion for jewelry and gemstones. The balance she finds in these two seemingly disparate worlds is a testament to her resilience and dedication.
"When I hold a gemstone, I feel an immense gratitude for what nature has created. The stone shifts my perspective on it. Turn it again, and you'll see another truth, another story, a different gemstone, each as real as the last." The same applies in law, as it is not static but a matter of interpretation, intent, and balancing interests. Like a diamond, the law reveals a different reality from every perspective, requiring intelligence and creativity to navigate all facets. Judith blends this complexity with the brilliance of gemstones in her designs, a process she calls 'aesthetic intelligence '- the ability to see beauty in the unexpected, to appreciate the unique character of each gemstone, and to create pieces that resonate with the individuality of their wearers.
Here is the story about Judith's Dutch jewelry brand, Tjallingii, and her insights into why practicing law and designing jewelry are so similar. Tjallingii is not just a jewelry brand; it's a philosophy. Each piece is a testament to the harmony between nature and human creativity, a reflection of Judith's belief in the beauty of imperfection.
The Artist's Heart
Judith is a lawyer, but it is far more accurate to say she is an artist who happens to be a lawyer.
As we will learn in this article, she grew up with a mother who was an artist and always imagined she might follow that path herself.
Like all great things, it took her time to become who she is at heart: an artist with a passion for jewelry design or perhaps an artist who found jewelry as the perfect medium to express her love for color, shape, story, and meaning.
However, a tragic event caused her to take her career in jewelry seriously—from a hobby to a business, so to speak.
One day, she returned to her family's home to find that burglars had taken everything, even her grandmother's heirlooms. Coming home to such loss, tangible memories, and beloved pieces of jewelry gone, was devastating.
Is there a silver lining in such a terrible event? Incredibly, yes. Judith: "Resilience is not something you plan for — it reveals itself when life takes you off course. It was initially devastating, especially seeing the footage of the burglars on camera, causing destruction. But within 2 days, I was designing my new wedding ring. That loss became a turning point. In hindsight, I'm grateful for that moment, as painful as it was. It became the unexpected catalyst for the creative path I'm on today.
The Advocate and the Artist
Judith's passion for law began relatively early.
As a young child, she noticed how people often spoke past each other in conflicts, not hearing and acknowledging each other's truths. Early on, she learned that truth was not absolute but shaped by perspective. This realization was not just a one-time observation, but a series of experiences she encountered in her family, school, and community, which would become the cornerstone of her legal career.
Her work as a lawyer is intense, mentally challenging, and intellectually complex. The cases Judith handles, often pitting citizens against the government, are never straightforward.
In comes Judith, forming a bridge between these two truths. She seeks ways to reconnect, to achieve equality of arms, and to regain confidence in the rule of law.
"Like a judge draws a line through the middle of all those truths, my task is ensuring the line of my client falls in the fairest place possible and closest to that of the judge," says Judith.
Yet such work takes a toll. And that is where her second passion began to bloom.
The Courtroom and Jewelry Design
Yes, Judith's jewelry adventure does feel like an impossible leap; from legal documents to luxury jewelry, yet to Judith, the two share surprising similarities.
Judith, "Law, like a gemstone, is never seen from just one angle. Turn it, and something new is revealed. Interpretation matters, and beauty lies in understanding the whole." What a great insight!
Working with gemstones allows her to decompress after a day in court. She describes closing the shutters of the outside world and letting herself be absorbed in the stones' colors, shapes, and light.
She is especially drawn to "perfectly imperfect" gems: chameleon diamonds, pastel sapphires, and multicolored tourmalines. Some are difficult to set and softer than traditional choices, but Judith sees their uniqueness as a strength. Her appreciation for the unique beauty of these gemstones is sure to inspire a sense of wonder and admiration in the audience.
Beauty Beyond Perfection
In the world of high jewelry, where perfection often steals the spotlight, Judith Woolderink — designer behind TJALLINGII — chooses a different muse: nature. Each of her one-of-a-kind floral rings blooms with the colours and moods of spring, summer, autumn, or winter, capturing their beauty and spirit. For Judith, the seasons mirror our lives: spring's sense of renewal, summer's bold joy, autumn's quiet reflection, and winter's deep stillness. "We move through these phases just as nature does, how we wear and love different colours, feel energy and emotions. I believe we are highly influenced by nature, and when we align ourselves with its rhythm, we find a more balanced, sustainable way of living. In Japanese philosophy, this is close to the idea of shun — embracing each moment in its perfect season.
Judith rejects the idea that beauty must be flawless. For her, a stone's character- its inclusions, color shifts, or rare shapes -makes it powerful. Her gemstones are chosen for their soul, not their symmetry — a whisper of colour, a rare inclusion, a unique shape that nature intended. These jewels celebrate that beauty is not static or perfect, but alive and ever-changing.
She likens it to people. "In a world where everything around us is constantly changing, we often try to freeze time when it comes to our personal beauty. We cling to an unchanging image of ourselves, and too often, we measure our worth against our perceived imperfections — usually seeing them in a negative light. I find that deeply limiting. In my work, I choose gemstones that the mass market would reject: stones with unusual colours, visible inclusions, or shapes that defy convention. They are not 'perfect' by traditional standards, yet they transcend the ordinary through their authenticity when they are set and brought together in a ring. It's a reminder that, just like in the story of the ugly duckling, what is overlooked at first can reveal extraordinary beauty when seen in the right light.
The First Spark
Flowers are the theme in Judith's jewelry designs, often rendered in pastel tones and petal-like gemstone shapes. This influence began early, inspired by her very artistic family and fairy tale living environment near the Amerongen castle.. Her mother is a fine artist and painted abstract trees, capturing their essence while stripping away unnecessary detail. She now renovates and paints icons and taught Judith also how to paint icons: "There are so many rules for the technique and colors of the icons, like a rebellious teenager, I painted flowers and pink cloaks instead."
My grandfather was the house painter of the castle just a street away. He and my grandmother loved roses and always grew so many special roses in the garden. I remember stealing the petals to make perfume and necklaces and pretending I was a princess living in the castle." Her uncle was also a painter. His paintings consisted of impressive, big murals of refugees of Rwanda, but he also painted roses and made one for Judith in which he had used real oranges and liquor; a bold and unconventional choice. That spirit of creative risk-taking stayed with her.
It's not easy to collect the stones for one ring if you are trying to make something so organic. Sometimes, she finds the stone first and searches for its echo in the natural world.
"Sometimes I discover a stone before I know what it should become. I just know inspiration will find me; inspiration can take me by surprise a lot. Until then, it rests in a drawer, waiting, as I do, for its moment."
This patience makes Tjallingii's jewelry designs feel organic, as though the gem was always meant to take that shape. A petal curve in a tulip might become a ring's arc, while a rose's gradient inspires a pastel gemstone arrangement.
Designing for Royalty — And Everyone Else
Judith's dream client is Queen Máxima of the Netherlands. She admires the Queen's style, grace, social heart, and dedication, and has even offered her a ring for her birthday.
"I once offered a ring to Queen Máxima for her birthday. I admire her style, her presence, and her work. It was a gift of value, but the Royal House has strict rules, so it was not to be. Still, I dream of the day she wears one of my designs."
Her broader audience is equally inspiring: intelligent, artistic, independent, and generous women who appreciate the craftsmanship and story behind each piece. They are made for strong individuals who love high jewelry, color, and flowers. They confidently embrace the imperfections of life. Like gems encased in rock, gold hidden in gravel and soil, or a flower still in bud, this earth hosts so much beauty. And within a person, there is no end to that vault. Judith hopes that her rings will contribute even more to their expression of strength and beauty.
A Personal Connection in Every Piece
"Each design comes from my heart. These jewelry pieces carry fragments of my own history, yet I want them to live within the history of the woman who wears them."
Like she does herself (and as I do), Judith encourages her clients to wear their jewelry daily and not lock it away for special occasions. Enjoy it as much as possible as a daily joy and part of yourself.
For her, the most genuine compliment is when a piece becomes part of someone's everyday story, whether in the supermarket or at a gala.
Why Her Story Resonates
For anyone dreaming of a second career, Judith's path reminds them that it is never too late to begin. Her legal career did not stop her from pursuing jewelry design; it enriched it. The patience, perspective, and emotional intelligence she developed in law now shape her work as a jewelry designer.
And for those who already love fine jewelry, her story adds a beautiful layer of meaning. "Every gemstone has its own voice, and every design has its reason for being. Each piece carries beauty, connection, transformation, and, above all, individuality. "
Ready to Wear Your Story?
Judith's jewelry invites you to see yourself differently, encouraging you to see yourself in a new light.
That soft shimmer of pastels, from tourmalines to beautiful chameleon diamonds, and that delicate geometry of a floral design—it's pretty, draws you into it, soft, feminine, and tender. Every piece of Tjallingii jewelry is crafted to celebrate the wearer's individuality.
Discover the collection or book a private appointment here: https://www.tjallingii.com/
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Ann
The collection is truly fabulous as is
the owner of the company
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