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Gift the lady in your life a gem from these chic, local jewelry brands

Jewelry is an extremely personal present that should be given with a little extra thought. By gifting her a piece, you would be making a point about how much you appreciate and are dedicated to her, based on the gems you choose.

But with that said, you don’t have to spend all of your wealth on the most expensive jewelry you see, nor search high and low for it. That’s because we have options for you. Gift the lady in your life a jewel from these chic, local jewelry brands so she can flaunt for Chinese New Year or the upcoming Valentine’s Day.

Bliing

Labradorite Smooth Mini Teardrops, S$148

Bliing was born out of a childhood recollection by Singaporean pair Alex Cheng and GC Lek in 2013 after taking a course at the Gemological Institute of America. The childhood friends decided to sell jewelry that made women feel not just attractive but also empowered.

Customers may construct a variety of earrings by mixing and combining studs and drops to fit their style. Bliing’s studs and drops may be swapped out instantly by connecting the drops to the studs to create a new set of earrings. Sounds magical, isn’t it?

MADLY

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The MADLY experience defies the expectations that consumers have of exquisite jewelry. Their unique eclectic style is defined by bold colors and inventive designs, which challenge expectations of uniformity and put a fresh spin on historical classics.

Only the best 0.1% of gemstones are used in the branding, which is cut by lapidary specialists for optimum brightness. MADLY is known for having the largest selection of quality colored gems on our sunny island, and they’ve gone above and beyond in their commitment to offering the best to their customers.

Pearly Lustre

Wonderland Freshwater Pearl Necklace, from S$88

Pearly Lustre is a pearl-focused brand established in Singapore. They feel that the pearl’s dazzling shine and lustrous brilliance should not be restricted by age or social class, and that it is a valuable jewel that can be sustainably created and made into beautiful, inventive creations to commemorate all of life’s great moments.

The brand is also concerned about the environment at every stage of the process, from pearl procurement to product maintenance, to ensure that the beauty of their fashion pieces is preserved for decades to come. You may anticipate the finest level of craftsmanship as a result of their partnership with the Gemological Institute of America in New York for third-party pearl identification assessment.

By Invite Only

Gold Marquise Blue Jade Studs, S$39

By Invite Only is a Singapore-based company that was launched in 2009. The company was founded on the premise that jewelry is about more than simply gorgeous, gleaming ornaments; it’s about enhancing your individuality and boosting your self-assurance. It’s all about being the greatest version of yourself in every moment.

All of their items are free of nickel, lead, and cadmium, which are known to cause skin problems. No matter the occasion, buy with peace of mind knowing that their items are appropriate for both teens and grown-ups.

State Property

Inversion Bracelet, S$700

State Property is a Singapore-based modern fine jewelry label that has received awards. The company, which was founded by a jeweler and an industrial designer, plays with structured outlines in precious metals contrasted against soft body textures, giving modest yet innovative items for individuals who are all about quality.

State Property, which is now available in the United States, the United Kingdom, and Singapore, is swiftly becoming a popular favorite throughout the world, with supporters including Michelle Obama, Nicole Kidman, and Lady Gaga. Will you join the cult too?

Wanderlust + Co

Moonlit Navy & Gold Hoop Earrings, approx. S$75

The brand’s creative adventure begins with Jenn Low, the company’s creator, and her creative team. The squad draws initially on paper before transferring concepts into digital drawings and 3D models, focusing their attention on new trends, elements, patterns, and potentials.

The Wanderlust + Co jewelry is made of sterling silver and high-quality reclaimed brass that is lead- and nickel-free. Each item is plated with 14K-18K gold and rhodium, as well as e-coating, to extend the gems’ shine. Before a product is rolled-out and presented to its customers, it undergoes a 30-day internal wear test so you can expect only the best.

B.P. de Silva Jewellers

Pocketful of Gems Sapphire Necklace, S$1,400

B.P. de Silva Jewellers is one of Singapore’s oldest luxury brands, having been founded in 1872. The earliest B.P. de Silva Jewellers Atelier opened on the prominent High Street in the 19th century, and the brand’s rich history and reputation can be traced back to that time.

Do you know that the Duke of Connaught was the brand’s first royal commission? It has also been given the tremendous honor of being designated as His Majesty, the King of Siam’s jewelry purveyor. This year, B.P. de Silva Jewellers will commemorate its 150th anniversary. They continue to provide both bespoke and ready-to-wear offerings, demonstrating their commitment to creating exquisite time capsules of the greatest narratives that individuals may carry down for generations to come.

Is Jewelry A Wise Investment?

It is Christmastime and people are more eager to purchase gifts that have lasting value. For some people, that timeless gift often turns out to be an heirloom piece of jewelry. Grandparents often pass down their jewelry in the hopes that their grandchildren can “sell it one day” when the need arises. I cannot say that it has not crossed my mind. Then again, I find it difficult to sell the ring that my late grandparents have given me.

Buying an original piece of jewelry with a rich history from a family member or a friend can be the middle ground when it comes to heirloom pieces. Nonetheless, jewelry and gold can be a wise investment.

BUY SOMETHING TIMELESS

If you are going to buy jewelry as an investment, ensure that it is something you enjoy keeping and wearing. I recently bought a Nina Ricci necklace, which I plan to pass down to my future daughter. It is delicate, romantic, and simple. She may not be able to sell it, but it can be a part of her beautiful collection.

Avoid overpaying for a piece of jewelry as commissions and fees can be high. It will be difficult for you to break-even, if that happens.

CONSIDER THE VALUE AND PRICE

There are companies willing to buy back your jewelry at the real-time value, less its 10% buyback fee as they will melt it and transform it into a new jewelry. Other companies are willing to offer a price close to the value of the pure metal in your jewelry. Do your research.

There are laws regulating the purity stamp on the metal. It is best to get an appraisal from a reputable jeweler to examine the quality and the design of your gems and precious metals.

ACKNOWLEDGE THE POSITIVE HISTORICAL TREND

Unlike coins and paper currency, gold has managed to increase its value over time. Its price has consistently risen every year since 2001. While gold prices do not shoot up dramatically, the general trends remains to be upward. Hence, have a long-term investment mindset.

KNOW THAT PRICES CAN BE VOLATILE

Much like any other investments, the jewelry’s value can fluctuate wildly. The most obvious difference between a pair of gold earrings and gold bullion is that you cannot wear the latter. Treating jewelry as an investment can get tricky. Profits on the sale of gold and jewelry are taxed.

You might pay a premium for buying jewelry made of pure gold. You see, some buyers prefer if they can wear their gold.

DIVERSIFY YOUR PORTFOLIO

The key to diversification is to find investments that do not closely match each other. History has proven that gold is negatively correlated with stocks and other investment instruments. For instance, stocks boomed in the 1990s, but gold faltered. In 2008, investors migrated to gold while the stocks dropped substantially in value.

Image Credits: unsplash.com

Proper diversification entails combining stocks, bonds, golds, jewelry, and other assets. Producing a diverse portfolio can reduce the overall volatility and risks.

Sources: 1 & 2

The Good And The Bad Sides Of Jewelry Investment

More than just a sparkling indulgence, investing on jewelry is an embedded tradition in many Asian cultures. In fact in Indian and Chinese cultures, jewelry can be given as gifts as individuals approach the marrying age.

To these cultures, investing in gold jewelry is a sound investment. Truly, gold has continued to rise, up to five-fold in a decade, in value despite the worldwide economic slowdown.

However, anyone who is considering jewelry as a means of investment needs to carefully contemplate on its advantages and disadvantages.

Here are some of them:

LABELS

It is not just about what jewelry pieces you buy but where you buy them. Pieces with designer labels are more susceptible to the erosion of value (over time) as you are paying mainly for the marketing costs.

For example, a sterling silver necklace sold by a lesser known retailer in the third world country may cost about S$15 while a sterling silver necklace sold by Tiffany & Co. in the first world country may cost about S$400! They are made of the same material but the branding and craftsmanship attached to it makes the difference.

PORTABILITY

Jewelry is an investment that you can wear. Whether it be gold rings, silver necklaces, and diamond earrings, you can always carry your wealth around wherever you go.

Image Credits: pixabay.com (License: CC0 Public Domain)

PRICES

The craftsmanship can add up to 30% on the price of the actual jewelry pieces. So if you want to benefit from the full price of gold alone, you can invest in products and funds that are associated to gold. For example, you can consider SPDR Gold Shares as they are backed by gold exchange-traded fund.

VINTAGE

Some pieces from the past are still fashionable today. Vintage jewelry from 1920s to 1930s have strong linear designs incorporating diamonds and platinum that can very much look modern!

Furthermore, second-hand jewelry (e.g., at auctions) are less expensive than contemporary pieces as they are not affected by the mark-up of the retailers. If you purchase this from a source that has low costs, it can prove to be profitable to own.

TRADITIONS

As said above, a positive side in jewelry investment is keeping one’s heritage. In fact, India is one of the world’s largest gold market due to the cultural demands during Deepavali and wedding season (i.e.,jewelry may be offered as wedding dowry).
The embedded notion is that jewelry retains (if not increases) its value over a long period of time. Although, this is not always the case.

Image Credits: pixabay.com (License: CC0 Public Domain)

The value of investments and gains can go up as well as down. Sometimes your may get back a value lesser than the amount you have invested. This is why it is recommended that you seek expert financial advice first before making any investment decisions.

Sources: 1 & 2

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