Precious Insights

Peek Into the Jewellery Boxes of Three Collectors and Find Out What Are Their Must-have Baubles

April 2017

Peek Into the Jewellery Boxes of Three Collectors and Find Out What Are Their Must-have Baubles

Cartier Crash Skeleton platinum watch with leather strap and diamonds, Dior Joaillerie Archi Dior Cocotte Rubis ring with diamonds and ruby, and Dior Mini Oui yellow gold ring with emerald.

STORIED FINGERS

“When I bought it, I barely knew anything about jewellery. Even so, I practically never take it off, and it goes with everything else I wear,” shares Stella Yang about her very ﬁrst jewellery purchase – a yellow gold Dior Mini Oui Emeraude ring that she wears on her pinkie ﬁnger. She’s come a long way since then, developing a taste for one-of-a-kind pieces, and becoming a fan of Victoire de Castellane’s whimsical storied designs for Dior Joaillerie.

The ION Orchard member explains: “I don’t necessarily buy for the quality of the gemstones; you can get quality stones from many jewellers. A piece of art that comes with a story appeals to me more. Castellane’s designs are imbued with imaginative stories and the history of the brand.”

Dior Joaillerie Ma Bague ring with rubellites and diamonds, and Cartier Agrafe pink gold bracelet with diamonds.

Clockwise from top left: Dior Joaillerie Rose Dior Bagatelle bangle, necklace and ring with diamonds, Tete de Mort chalcedony ring with diamonds, pink, blue and yellow sapphires, Paraiba tourmalines and tsavorite garnets, Rose Dior Bagatelle ring with diamonds, emeralds and Paraiba tourmalines.

“I don’t necessarily buy for the quality of the gemstones; you can get quality stones from many jewellers. A piece of art that comes with a story appeals to me more.” STELLA YANG

Clockwise from top: Diamond earrings, Harry Winston vintage necklace with diamonds, jade bangle, Cartier Love pink gold bracelet with diamonds, ruby butterfly ring, Tiffany & Co. Blue Book Collection ring with diamonds and Paraiba tourmaline, and Tiffany & Co. bracelet with diamonds.

SPARKLING MEMORIES

As medical director of Prive Clinic, Dr Karen Soh admits that she can’t wear her jewellery on an everyday basis. However, that hasn’t stopped her from assembling a colourful collection featuring a number of vintage pieces. She reveals that much of her collection was gifted to her, such as jade earrings and a jade ring from her mother-in-law. When she does buy pieces for herself, she is exacting about the quality of the stones.

She has no qualms purchasing individual gems that catch her eye when she travels, and brings them back to be set into jewellery. As she says: “It takes time and serendipity to build a collection of pieces which I love and which mean a lot to me.”

Clockwise from top: Van Cleef & Arpels Lucky Alhambra bracelet with malachite, mother-of- pearl, tiger's eye and carnelian; ring with diamonds and heartshaped ruby; vintage bracelet with diamonds; ring with diamonds and Paraiba tourmaline; and earrings with jade and diamonds.

“It takes time and serendipity to build a collection of pieces which I love and which mean a lot to me.” DR KAREN SOH

Van Cleef & Arpels Magic Alhambra 16-motif long necklace with mother-of-pearl and onyx, and Lotus Between The Finger ring with diamonds.

GAME CHANGER

Having just jetted in from Dubai the night before the shoot, you might expect this petite stunner to be jet-lagged. Not Shabnam Arashan. Looking cool and collected in her crisp white blouse, she gamely shares her penchant for classic pieces that provide some room for creativity.

“I like the timeless designs of Van Cleef & Arpels’ Snowﬂake collection. Then there’s its Lotus Between The Finger ring, which is a versatile design that also showcases the round, colourless diamonds well. It has a mechanism that allows you to wear it closed on one ﬁnger or open on two ﬁngers.”

Her creativity shows in her choice of everyday jewellery too – a trio of Alhambra necklaces is simple and classy, but when she wants to get creative? “I wear the long ones as a belt or head ornament – just fasten them with pins where necessary!”

From left: Van Cleef & Arpels Broderie ring with diamonds, Van Cleef & Arpels Magic Alhambra long necklace with mother-ofpearl and onyx, and Snowflake platinum earclips with diamonds