Suffice it to say, the local jewellery scene has come a long way since the days of goldsmiths and pawnshops lining up cheek by jowl along the streets of Chinatown and Little India. They’re still there, of course, and we love them for what they are. But jewellery lovers in Singapore who are looking for more updated—and dare we say, cutting edge—designs wouldn’t be disappointed either, as many homegrown jewellers have done very well to establish a distinctive Singaporean voice in the fine jewellery space.
Taking the conversation away from a pure value-driven proposition and to a realm where one’s personal identity and tastes might help formulate the jewellery design, they’ve opened up such incredible new opportunities for jewellery buyers here. Initially, the scene consisted mainly of custom jewellery ateliers. Names like The Canary Diamond from the Delfi Orchard jewellery cluster are among the earliest in the scene, as is Caratell, famous for its exquisitely crafted Asian-inspired creations.
Then we have heritage jewellers such as H. Sena, Poh Heng, and B.P. de Silva, whose founders made a courageous voyage into Singapore to trade and learn the tricks of the trade. Over the years, they have succeed paving the way for future generations of jewellers to join the industry.
Bringing unique perspectives and new attitudes to jewellery design, several such as State Property and Simone Jewels have already gained international fame, retailing on some of the world’s best shopping platforms.
So this month of August, celebrate National Day with a visit to some of Singapore’s beloved homegrown jewellers. Who knows, you might find a gem or two worth keeping in the family for the next generation.
State Property
A chic, modern minimalist aesthetic meets quintessentially Singaporean stories
Founded in 2015 by husband-and-wife team Afzal Imram and Ruiyin Lin, State Property is known and loved for its contemporary approach to fine jewellery while retaining love and respect for traditional craftsmanship. The label opened its first boutique in 2022 at a classical Art Deco building, an address steeped in art, culture, history and heritage.
Throughout the boutique you can find an array of special art pieces and furniture including a Noctambule floor lamp designed by Konstantic Grcic for Flos, a Julep Chaise Lounge designed by Jonas Wagell for Tacchini as well as a Reversível designed by Martin Eisler for Tacchini. The foyer is decorated with Faye Toogood’s Roly Poly Lounge Chair for Driade and a Shuffle Table designed by Mia Hamborg for &Tradition.
State Property is at 36 Armenian Street #01-02 Singapore 179934
Vihari Jewels
Timeless designs highlighted by unforgettable, heirloom-worthy gemstones
One of Singapore’s most illustrious jewellery industry heavyweights (Bling Empire’s Kane Lim is a huge fan), Vihari Jewels is synonymous with one-of-a-kind investment grade gemstones of unrivalled colour, size, clarity. Brand founder Vihari Sheth Poddar is a trained gemmologist who’d cut her teeth at some of the world’s leading jewellery maisons.
This year, the jeweller has opened its first flagship store which, rather than operates just as a retail unit, envelops customers in a wondrous museum-like space. A creative space resembling a gemstone mine, where endless conversations about gemstones and jewellery design could be had—preferably over a dram of fine whiskey.
Vihari Jewels is at 290 Orchard Road #01-21 Paragon Shopping Centre Singapore 238859
B.P. de Silva
A heritage jeweller that’s all about appreciating the natural beauty of gemstones
Fifth generation jeweller B.P. de Silva’s history goes back to 1872 at Singapore’s prestigious High Street where it was one of the nation’s first luxury retailers. Serving royalty in Southeast Asia as well as Europe, it celebrates 150 years of telling stories through jewellery in 2022 with the launch of timeless collections and the opening of a new flagship salon.
Located amid the lush greenery of the Dempsey Road cluster of colonial houses, the salon is a haven for jewellery lovers. A destination where one could spend an entire afternoon soaking up the beauty of glorious gemstones, learning everything there is to be learned about them, and of course, what makes B.P. de Silva such a legendary name in jewellery.
B.P. de Silva is at 14C Dempsey Road Singapore 249687
Carrie K.
Trendy, everyday jewels that you can easily jazz up for dressy occasions
By now a household name in the local jewellery scene, Carrie K. creates meaningful jewellery pieces that embrace our Singaporean heritage while offering a unique versatility that’s perfect for modern lifestyles. Her salon at the National Design Centre is where creative sensibilities mingle with all forms of design such as fashion, industrial, graphic and more.
As she weaves her own design point of view into the creations, founder Carolyn Kan visualises jewellery as objects that tell a story about the people who wear them. The new Love Lock collection, for instance, was inspired by the tradition of declaring one’s love by securing a padlock and throwing away the key.
Carrie K. Atelier is at 111 Middle Road #02-02 National Design Centre Singapore 188969
Madly Gems
A treasure trove of fabulous colours and exotic gemstone combinations to tell every life story
Dedicated to the beautiful world of coloured gemstones, this vibrant jewellery atelier is founded by ex-radio DJ Maddy Barber and has carved a lovely niche for itself creating jewels that share a slice of one’s unique lifestyle and identity. Every creation is bespoke and, with a diverse team of in-house designers, Madly Gems has developed such a wide aesthetic range that when it comes to styles there’s definitely something for everyone—as long as it’s crafted in gemstones, of course.
This year, Madly Gems opened the doors to its first salon and brand experience centre which showcases the full journey of jewellery making, from rough stones all the way to finished piece.
Visit the Madly Gems Brand Experience Centre at 13 Ann Siang Road Singapore 069693
Yuli Jewellery
Intoxicating colours and materials elevated by a bold artisan vision
One of Singapore’s best-kept jewellery secrets, Yuli Jewellery isn’t mainstream in the least. Indeed, flying under the radar might well have been its default modus operandi if not for the traffic stopping colours and megawatt hues of this homegrown label’s gem-festooned creations. A part of the local jewellery scene since 2000, founder Yuli Foo creates handcrafted pieces of jewellery art, which are as enjoyable to create as they are to be worn.
Yuli Jewellery is located at 350 Orchard Road #21-06 Shaw House Singapore 238868
H. Sena
Third generation jeweller offering a mix of new and vintage pieces
Established since the pre-WWII era, H. Sena is one of those heritage jewellers that built its legacy creating jewellery and bejewelled objects for the royalty of this region. Very Last Madame vibes, to put it colloquially. Yet the company now thrives in the hands of the founding family’s third generation. Taking H. Sena into the modern era is Medhanie Senanayake who brings a fresh perspective to this 103-year-old business.
H. Sena can be reached at 391A Orchard Road #12-06 Ngee Ann City Tower A Singapore 238873
Simone Jewels
Dreamy, whimsical designs that sweep you off your feet
Singapore’s poster girl for fine and high jewellery design, local jeweller Simone Ng has built something truly remarkable in Simone Jewels. Letting her imaginations take flight every new collection, she pushes the boundaries in jewellery design farther afield than most could ever fathom.
Shaping the fine jewellery business for more than 15 years, Simone Jewels is the first Singaporean jeweller to retail at Harrods in London.
Simone Jewels is accessible by appointment only. Request an appointment here.
Flower Diamond
Statement jewellery with a fastidious emphasis on timelessness
A stalwart in the local jewellery scene, Flower Diamond has built its sterling reputation of top quality diamonds meet dreamy designs. Founder Dato DIMP Belinda Chua envisions the elegant overlap of timelessness and modernity expressed through a mélange of tried and true motifs. Florals, geometry, and architecture make frequent appearances in the collections, but the running thread in every Flower Diamond creation is the highest regard one could ever accord to nature’s beauty and bounty.
Flower Diamond is located at 391B Orchard Road #15-05A Ngee Ann City Tower B Singapore 238874
Alex Wong
Jewellery classics at a reasonable price—plus the occasional surprise piece
A quaint location such as Chinatown does justice to the creative ethos of Alex Wong, a third-generation local jeweller. Fine jewellery here features a classical palette of diamonds, jadeite, pearls, and the usual suspects of sapphires, emeralds, and rubies.
Jewellery lovers appreciate this homegrown label for its dependable—both in terms of quality and quantity—supply of classic pieces such as diamond line bracelets, gold or pearl studs, and gem bracelets. But here is also where one might find treasures like an opal set swan ring, a pair of invisible-set sapphire earrings, and some of the most magnificent modern jade jewellery you’ll ever see.
Alex Wong is at 62 Temple Street #01-01 Singapore 058607
