Pearls of wisdom from the genre’s most cutting-edge designerIn honor of our September issue’s pearl ­spotlight, we couldn’t think of a better interviewee than Galatea founder Chi Huynh, the renegade designer known for his ­brilliantly audacious gem-nucleated and intricate hand-carved pearls. You may remember reading about Huynh’s latest creation in June’s JCK: Queen Beads—black South Seas, white, and peach ­freshwater carved pearl beads that slip over 3 mm chains. “My goal has always been to create an entirely new category in the pearl ­business,” explains the ­Vietnam-born Huynh, who comes from a family of jewelers. “I now realize there are just so many ways to carve them.” Read on to learn more about the sharp-witted San Dimas, Calif.–based ­artist/­inventor/philosopher.Galatea’s Diamond in a PearlNumber of years in the biz: 17Number of employees you over