Glam gems
There's a rock for everyone at the four-day Singapore International Jewellery Show.
Nadia Shah
Mon, Aug 25, 2008
Urban, The Straits Times
CLASSIC HITS
| DIAMONDS | YELLOW GOLD | JADE | PEARLS |
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| Known as "the king of gems", the diamond is the hardest stone in existence. Formed in volcanic pipes (subterranean geological structures) at intense heat, diamonds look great in all sorts of designs and settings.
This Arcolris pendant made of seven round diamonds wreathed by a cluster of smaller diamonds is a glittering success. $1,438, from all Soo Kee Jewellery boutiques including 01-11 Wisma Atria and 01-27 Plaza Singapura |
A coveted metal through the ages, yellow gold adds a touch of old-world class to jewellery. In Singapore, it is found mostly as 24K (pure gold), 22K (91.6 per cent gold, the rest alloy) and 18K (75 per cent gold, the rest alloy).
This pair of Trio earrings is of a lighter shade of yellow gold with a moonlight gold tinge - the first of its kind in Singapore. $1,350, from all Poh Heng Jewellery boutiques, including 01-02 Park Hotel Orchard and B1-109 Parkway Parade |
Did you know that jade was believed to be able to cure kidney diseases? In China, the use of jade dates back thousands of years. Its colour ranges from opaque to translucent green, to brown, violet and white.
You'll love this jade and diamond necklace that's set in 18k white gold, guaranteed to make your friends green with envy. $88,888, from On Cheong Jewellery, 251 South Bridge Road |
They are the only organically grown gems. Colours include pink, silver and cream and they are prized for their lustre. Pearls are formed when a foreign object accidentally enters a clam or oyster and is coated with an iridescent substance called nacre. In cultured pearls, an object is inserted in the clam.
Love the Beijing Bird's Nest Stadium? Get this Bird's Nest too. A golden South Sea pearl is set in 18k white gold. $4,095, from On Cheong Jewellery |
MODERN SPARKLERS
| PURPLE GOLD | BLACK DIAMONDS | TANZANITE | PARAIBA TOURMALINE |
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| Purple gold was very brittle until Loh Peng Chum, a Singapore Polytechnic lecturer, worked together with Lee Hwa Jewellery and found it could be moulded into jewellery after it was heated to 10,000 deg C and an electric current passed through it. In 2000, Singaporeans were the first in the world to don purple gold jewellery, which gets its hue from gold and aluminium reacting under intense heat.
The Winter Royale Pendant is made of purple gold with diamonds set in white gold. $3,278, from all Lee Hwa Jewellery outlets, including 01-08 Centrepoint , 01-05 Plaza Singapura |
Black diamonds are a girl's new best friend. In ancient Italy, they were called "the stone of reconciliation" as they were believed to solve relationship problems. A National Geographic News online report last year said the stone may have been blasted here by an asteroid billions of years ago.
Eye-catching and bold, this ring is made of black diamonds contrasted with their white counterparts. $14,800, from DeGem, 14-09 Tower B, Ngee Ann City |
This "gemstone of the 20th century" was named after the East African state of Tanzania, where it was discovered in 1967. Even today, tanzanite, which is of a purplish blue colour, can be found only there, making it 1,000 times rarer than diamonds. It is also expected to increase in value as time goes by.
Be dazzled by this 22.78 carat tanzanite diamond ring. When you slip it onto your finger, we guarantee you won't feel blue. $60,000, from DeGem |
The Paraiba tourmaline is one very trendy stone. It is often in a striking turquoise hue and can also be green or violet. Found in the state of Paraiba in Brazil in the 1980s, it is the most rare and expensive form of tourmaline, which is known as the "gemstone of the rainbow".
This ring is made of diamonds and pink sapphires and mounted with Paraiba tourmaline in all their ice-blue beauty. $75,000, from DeGem |
This article was first published in Urban, The Straits Times on Aug 22, 2008.