Small Business Spotlight: Ruyi Club Connects Generations with Timeless Chinese American Jewelry
When two sisters, Kathleen and Eileen, moved away from their Chinese American community in Minneapolis, they sought new ways to create the feeling of home.
“We’ve always been interested in how fashion can shape perceptions and tell stories,” they explain to EnVi.
Using jewelry as a vessel to integrate culture into everyday wear, the sisters founded jewelry brand Ruyi Club to capture the nuances of their Chinese American heritage while celebrating a contemporary vision of identity and pride. Ruyi Club, named after the Chinese cultural symbol of ruyi that represents strength and luck, is a space where past and present intertwine, crafted with the intent of representing Chinese culture during a time of growing anti-Asian sentiment.
In this interview, EnVi conversed with Kathleen and Eileen over email about their groundings in cultural identities, co-founding Ruyi Club, and interpreting the modern Chinese American diaspora.
Third-Culture Jewelry
“We wanted to create something that empowered people to express their cultural identity outwardly and with pride.”
Raised in the suburbs of Minneapolis, the sisters joke that growing up in a predominantly white neighborhood gave them “less validation and more angst.” However, their lives at home and during the weekend were a complete immersion into their Chinese culture – from Chinese dance school to traditional cooking, it was a stark contrast to their lives at school. They constantly code-switched between their dual identities, balancing a close-knit Chinese community and a broader culture that is often “alienated.”
“These felt like two separate worlds and two separate identities that we swapped in and out of,” Kathleen explained. She described how as they grew older, the sisters eventually began to integrate two worlds and identities into one.
“Our culture is no longer relegated to the weekend or the privacy of our home, but blended into all aspects of our life.”
These experiences with their own identities fueled their commitment to empowering the Chinese diaspora’s layered stories. When their move away from home coincided with the pandemic, their homesickness, coupled with a sudden surge in anti-Asian sentiments, sparked increased introspection and reflection about their roots. This nostalgia, intensified by witnessing others in their community feeling pressure to conceal their Chinese identity, motivated the sisters to channel their passion into Ruyi Club.
“It became our vision to create for and uplift the Chinese diaspora, focusing on the beauty of our culture and people as a counteraction to the hate and violence the community has experienced,” they said.
Rúyì: As Desired
Ruyi Club’s designs don’t just adorn; they communicate. Jewelry, for them, isn’t merely an accessory but a connection between generations. It is a way to carry and celebrate memories, shared stories, and ancestral roots.
“Jewelry plays a big part in visual identity,” Kathleen and Eileen share. Ruyi Club’s pieces are visual statements of existence and diverse perspectives, honoring both the tradition and evolution behind their cultural identity.
Their brand identity reflects this balance, with the symbol of Ruyi holding multiple meanings of connection, power, and culture.
“It’s a well wish for good fortune, a talisman for protection and power, and a ceremonial scepter that grants its holder a platform to speak. The multiple meanings behind “ruyi” perfectly capture why we created Ruyi Club — to connect, empower, and amplify our community and culture.”
Kathleen & Eileen, Ruyi Club
Ruyi Club’s logo also draws on traditional aesthetics like the head of Ruyi scepter’s iconic mushroom shape that represents divinity and felicity, and below every piece on the website is a “culture note” that explains its unique cultural significance. The Shining Heart Signet, for instance, reimagines the historical shape of the ruyi in sleek, contemporary silver, engraved with the Chinese character for “heart, mind, and spirit” (心). As Eileen’s favorite piece, this signet is often complimented and asked about whenever she wears it.
If you’re looking for a more versatile and simple piece, check out the Well Wishes Band engraved with Mandarin characters for safety and good fortune. A design crystallized amidst the rise of anti-hate violence during the pandemic, the ring is a physical manifestation of the strength and empowerment of the Asian community as they continue to fight for safety and representation.
Kathleen’s favorite piece, Mini Mooncake Locket, captures memories of their mother making mooncakes from scratch during the Mid-Autumn festival. It’s also their most viral piece, garnering almost 70,000 views with this TikTok video. Cherished memories now in a wearable form, the delicate silver locket unclasps to reveal an iconic salted egg yolk in gold.
“The design also encapsulates our brand essence: traditional storytelling through modern, elevated design,” Kathleen tells EnVi.
You can even see some of the homemade mooncakes in this TikTok video, where the sisters taste their mother’s newest batch as they share their opinions on different mooncake flavors.
A Badge of Honor
Ultimately, Ruyi Club hopes to inspire others to wear their heritage with pride. They envision each piece as an ambassador of Chinese culture, building bridges for understanding and connection across communities. More than just an ornament, Ruyi Club’s jewelry empowers the wearer to embrace their unique blend of cultural identities.
“We hope wearing our jewelry makes you feel like you: confident, empowered, and grounded in our shared history and stories,” Kathleen and Eileen share.
In a world where cultural representation is still growing, Ruyi Club is carving out a space that’s both distinctly Chinese and proudly individual. “We’re here to show that our stories are important,” they affirm. Each design is a small but powerful statement, envisioning the sisters’ wishes of the coexistence of tradition and self-expression.
Check out Ruyi Club’s website here ASAP so you don’t miss out on their Black Friday sale between Nov. 29th to Dec. 2nd!
Interested in more Chinese-American-inspired jewelry? Read up on this cute collab between Sandy Liang and Monchhichi!
