Jade + Gold

I'm mad about design. It could be furniture, fashion, web interfaces, photography, food, gadgets, art, crafts.. you name it. I'm just extremely taken in the the visual aspect of things, though I can be a major mess sometimes. I was never really into jewelry, but but when I was searching for engagement ring designs last year, I chanced upon many indie jewelers on Etsy whose designs I really enjoyed. Actually I have always hoped that we could have more local indie jewelers in Singapore cos the main stream chain jewelry designs are either extremely generic or extremely gaudy (I love gold jewelry but I always see strange looking dragon designs), and super over-priced (compared to a neighbourhood gold shop, for the amount of gold you get in one piece, prices are really marked up)

By accident, I chanced upon this amazing local designer who specialises in jade jewellery. She designs the most amazing Peranakan-inspired pieces! My jaw really dropped when I saw this:

"We loved with a love that was more than love." Here's us wishing you a memorable Valentine's Day!

A photo posted by Choo Yilin (@chooyilin) on Feb 13, 2016 at 9:31pm PST

I've got a weakness for the fusion of traditional and the new. She has done it impeccably!

I showed it to hy too because for a period of time, he kept joking that he was going to get me a jade engagement ring:

Last of these delicate hand styles for the time being. We stack three dim sum rings in our Chinese New Year colours paired with a single delicate cherry blossom jade ring. #jewellery #gemstones #jade #rings #wearlocal #chooyilin

A photo posted by Choo Yilin (@chooyilin) on Feb 24, 2015 at 8:38pm PST

these would probably not be very suitable as engagement rings, but makes for very pretty statement pieces!

Their jade bangles too, so breathtaking:

Our interpretation of Summer with Cherry Blossoms and Jade. One of a kind pieces exclusively at Joo Chiat. #jade #chooyilin #summer #cherryblossoms

A photo posted by Choo Yilin (@chooyilin) on Apr 7, 2015 at 6:02am PDT

More amazing rings:

“And so with the sunshine and the great bursts of leaves growing on the trees, just as things grow in fast movies, I had that familiar conviction that life was beginning over again with the summer.” ― F. Scott Fitzgerald, The Great Gatsby

A photo posted by Choo Yilin (@chooyilin) on Jun 10, 2015 at 6:13am PDT

Oh man, they made cufflinks look sexy:

Dad works hard to bring back the dough. He splurges on his family but so thrifty with himself. Spoil him once in awhile - Father's Day is the perfect day to do so. Cart out with DAD35 and enjoy free delivery to his office (surprise!) or home sweet home. #ChooYilin #love #cufflinks #dadsforlife #daddysgirl

A photo posted by Choo Yilin (@chooyilin) on Jun 18, 2015 at 6:03am PDT

Last one - they look so fun! But you might be able to find something like that on Etsy, cos it's not that oriental

Proud to embrace heritage with a burst of colours! Explore endless possibilities with 8 different precious gems at chooyilin.com. Be warned, you will have some tough (but delirious) decisions to make. #ChooYilin #love #heritage #designer #peranakan #pop #stackinspiration #inspo

A photo posted by Choo Yilin (@chooyilin) on May 15, 2015 at 6:26am PDT

I've been thinking about getting a piece of jewelry for my mum for the longest time, but I just haven't seen anything cool yet. This makes me excited.

While fawning about chooyilin, Juli showed me another jade designer - gen.k.jewelry. I still very much prefer the former's artistic direction, but gen.k also has a couple of really pretty pieces as well:

This set will be launched online at www.genkjewelry.com tomorrow - 11th March 2016 at 1pm. If you like any of these, grab yours online tomorrow :)

A photo posted by Gen. K Jewelry (@gen.k.jewelry) on Mar 9, 2016 at 9:34pm PST

brooches!

I can't decide which one I like better:

Floral design crafted on a green bangle . This bangle is perfect for dainty ladies with small wrist. Make it yours :) #jade #jadebangle #jadejewelry

A photo posted by Gen. K Jewelry (@gen.k.jewelry) on Mar 6, 2016 at 10:18pm PST

Classy green

Lavender Jade bangle. Available in store :) Visit us at 38A Seah Street level 2. Open daily from 1-8pm #jadebangle #jadejewelry #modernjade #stylexstyle #chicbangle #indiedesigner #localdesigner

A photo posted by Gen. K Jewelry (@gen.k.jewelry) on Jan 26, 2016 at 12:44am PST

or lavender (one of my favourite colours)! Regardless, the yellow gold-on-jade concept is amazing. Jade is already so pretty on its own, and yellow gold just adds a hint of tradition/classiness.

One more pretty jade ring.

Getting this ready for a lovely pal of mine. One great lady who is filled with lots of positive energy . A lady whom I enjoy being with.... Can't wait to meet up with this angel. #Jade #jadering #gemstone

A photo posted by Gen. K Jewelry (@gen.k.jewelry) on Sep 26, 2015 at 7:04pm PDT

All my life, I've always pampered myself with cheap things like food, $30 massages and at most $45 dresses. Even my graduation night dress was a $38 toga from a blogshop which I blinged up by painstakingly sewing glass beads on. Can't even remember when was the last time I threw in $100 on anything that wasn't a need. But I am feeling like this may be my potential archilles' heel of luxury. :/ Save me now!

Actually getting acquainted with all these amazing jewelry designs makes me feel like learning how to make my own. :O