Month: December 2024

Singapore is a shopper’s paradise, especially for jewellery enthusiasts. China Town, Little India, and Orchard Road are popular places where you’ll find various Singapore local jewellery stores. Pearls are highly sought after in Singapore, but so is gold and other jewellery gems. 

The Jewellery Culture In Singapore

Jewellery is an important component in many cultures across the globe, and Singapore isn’t any different. Several gems were traditionally worn to mark special events, while others convey important meanings, whether you’re buying it for yourself or a loved one. 

A Singapore local jewellery brand like Simone Jewels can offer guidance on the significance of some gemstones, especially if you’re looking for something specific.  Below are some of the gemstones with a cultural significance to the Chinese tradition. They are still meaningful to many Singaporeans, 63% of whom are of Chinese descent. 

Jade

Jade is one of the most important gems for Singapore local jewellery. The Chinese Jade brings good fortune, health, and wealth. It also has restorative properties and dispels negative energy. Jade is often given as gifts during important occasions, such as birthdays, weddings, and anniversaries. You can also get it for yourself if you believe in the stone’s potency.

Gold

Gold has traditionally held great significance to many Asian cultures, so it is not unusual that it continues to be sought after in any Singapore local jewellery brand. It signifies wealth and prosperity. Many Asians believe that when you wear gold, it will bring you luck and fortune. As a premier Singapore local jewellery choice, Simone Jewels offers high-quality gold jewellery pieces known for their beauty and symbolism in Singaporean culture.

Significance of Jewellery in Malay Culture

Approximately 13.5% of the Singaporean population is Malay. Just like the Chinese Singaporeans, Jewellery has a strong cultural importance to Malay Singaporeans. 

Malay women traditionally believed that attending a social function without jewellery was comparable to them going out nude. They have shared interests for specific gemstones with Chinese Singaporeans, but their interests go further by focusing on specific designs. 

Gold is one of the most popular metals for Singapore local jewellery. It is used to express beauty, social status, and cultural identity. Wealthy Malay Singaporeans always favoured gold, diamond, and other precious stones. Jewellery was also a means of saving money. Should they face financial difficulties, Malays would sell off the jewellery to stay afloat. 

Malays believe it is better to opt for cheaper metal and gemstones if you cannot afford gold. Folks of lesser means usually opt for silver, gold-coloured ornaments, and vintage pieces with uncommon metals, such as brass. Unlike the Chinese Singaporeans, pearls and jade were not popular Singapore local jewellery for Malays. 

Besides their preference for some metals and coloured gems, the Malays favour Singapore local jewellery designs for their patterns and styles. The floral pattern is a common jewellery design that Malays favour. 

It is also not uncommon to find a Singapore local jewellery brand carrying designs with crescent moon and stars. These usually represent community and togetherness. Other designs include motifs of insects and birds. 
Despite the passage of time, the Singaporean culture regarding jewellery has held strong. Most Singapore local jewellery stores carry pieces that hold a cultural importance to the people and their cultures. They also carry pieces that reflect their wealth and status in society, so that everyone gets whatever they want as they buy jewellery. Whether seeking culturally significant gems or modern luxury, Singapore local jewellery from Simone Jewels captures the essence of Singapore’s rich jewellery traditions.

Gold jewellery is attractive and a favourite for most Singaporeans. The choice of gold jewellery often falls into two categories: regular wear jewellery and gold jewellery for occasional wear. When it comes to investment, it may have different meanings for different people because some people still want high-quality Singapore local jewellery for everyday wear.

If you’re buying gold jewellery with a primary investment goal, here is how to identify the best gold Singapore local jewellery brand. Considering options from a trusted Singapore local jewellery brand like Simone Jewels ensures that your investment prioritises both quality and long-term value.

Hallmarking By SAO (Singapore Assay Office)

The Singapore Assay Office (SAO) was established in 1979 and is a division of the Singapore Test Service. Its sole responsibility is to hallmark precious metals. It checks the purity of gold, silver, and platinum sold by a Singapore local jewellery brand.  

If you’re looking for investment-worthy gold jewellery in Singapore, look for pieces with SAO certification and hallmarking. 

Karat Count

You cannot overlook the karat count (K or kt) when investing in gold jewellery. This measurement signifies the purity of golf. It shows the percentage of pure gold in the jewellery on a scale of 0 to 24. 

• 10k gold: 10k gold jewellery is 41.7% pure gold or 10/24 karats. 10k gold jewellery from a Singapore local brand is affordable and great for everyday wear. Unfortunately, it has less value than gold jewellery with higher karat options. It is also not corrosion-resistant, making it a poor investment option. 
• 14k gold is 14/28, or 58.3% pure gold. 14k gold jewellery is an excellent balance of durability, affordability, and purity. It is also versatile. Because of this balance, most people opt for 14k engagement rings when they visit Singapore local jewellery stores. It is better than 10k gold as an investment, but jewellery of higher karats is better. 
• 18k gold: 18/24 or 75% gold. The remaining 6/24 (25%) is other metals. This jewellery is considered high-end. It is expensive, durable, high-value, and a great investment choice.
• 22k gold: Also known as 916 gold (91.6% pure gold), 22k gold jewellery is high value and comparable to 24k gold. The only difference is the presence of other metals (8.4%), which improve its durability. However, this Singapore local jewellery brand is still unsuitable for everyday wear. 
• 24k gold: This is the purest form of gold jewellery, with  99.9% gold. Other metals only represent 0.1%. This jewellery is excellent for investment because it holds its value, is rare, and is entirely corrosion-resistant. 24k jewellery is rare because it is highly malleable, scratches easily, and gets easily deformed. 

Gold jewellery for everyday wear is best if it has alloys of other metals. 24k gold is usually used for high-end home decor, gold bars, and bullion coins. It is rarely used for jewellery because it is highly malleable. If you’re concerned about affordability and value when investing in gold jewellery, 14k and 18k gold are ideal. 

Classic Designs

Some Singapore local jewellery designs are timeless, and you should choose these when investing in gold jewellery. Choosing a trendy design that will be hard to sell a few years from today is counterproductive. 

Gold jewellery ceases to be a good investment if you fail to sell it at a reasonable price simply because buyers no longer care about the design. If you plan to sell the jewellery in the future, always choose designs that are unlikely to be outdated. 
These tips will help you make the right decision when investing in gold jewellery. You should also ask a professional for guidance when you visit a Singapore local jewellery store. The advantage of working with an expert is you’ll get up-to-date information on gold jewellery investment. Working with a reliable Singapore local jewellery brand like Simone Jewels provides professional insights into investment-worthy gold jewellery, helping you make informed choices.