Jewellery is more than an expression of beauty – it is a reflection of creativity, identity and artistry. In Singapore, a new generation of jewellery designers is redefining the art of adornment, blending contemporary aesthetics with cultural influences, bold ideas and meticulous craftsmanship. From intricate interpretations of heritage to sculptural creations and unexpected uses of precious materials, their work demonstrates how jewellery can tell stories, evoke emotions and express individuality. In this issue, Top 10 of Asia presents Singapore’s Most Creative Jewellery Designers – The Top 10, arranged in no particular order, celebrating designers whose distinctive visions continue to bring fresh perspectives to the world of jewellery.
Michael Koh
Michael Koh, a renowned multi-award-winning designer and founder of Caratell, a Singapore-based luxury jewellery house. Celebrated for his artistic vision and mastery of craftsmanship, Koh creates distinctive, sculptural jewels that unite contemporary design with rare and exceptional gemstones. His creations have been commissioned by royalty and discerning collectors. Notably, he became the first Singaporean jewellery designer to collaborate with international watchmaker Moritz Grossmann, displaying his diversify talent in designing. Under his leadership, Caratell has received numerous honours, including Best of Singapore Jeweller awards in consecutive years. Expanding into tech innovation, Koh invented the world’s first 2mm gold RFID microchip. By overcoming long-standing metal detuning issues, this patented microchip can be securely installed onto metal objects, including jewellery and luxury timepieces. Paired with Gem DNA, it provides a secure digital identity, bringing authenticity, traceability and ownership records together to forge a timeless phygital legacy bridging fine artistry with cutting-edge technology, shaping the future of luxury for a new generation.
Genevie & Kayde Yeo
Genevie and Kayde Yeo are the creative forces behind Gen.K Jewelry®, a Singapore jewellery brand redefining the way a new generation sees and wears jade. As Founder and Director, Genevie brings the vision, entrepreneurial spirit and instinct for understanding what modern women want. Her passion lies in breaking away from traditional perceptions of jade, transforming it into something fresh, stylish and relevant for everyday life. Kayde, Gen.K’s Chief Designer, brings that vision to life through thoughtful design, craftsmanship and an eye for unexpected details. Her creativity is reflected in pieces that are contemporary yet meaningful, often incorporating Gen.K’s signature versatility and multi-wear elements. Together, Genevie and Kayde share a love for pushing creative boundaries. Their partnership combines business intuition with design innovation, resulting in jewellry that respects the beauty and heritage of jade while giving it a distinctly modern identity — unmistakably Gen.K.
Veronique Manchharam
Veronique “Vero” Manchharam is the founder of Bohème by Véro, a jewellery house shaped by her lifelong connection to travel, culture and storytelling. The brand’s roots trace back to Vero’s decade in India, where the beauty of traditional Indian jewellery inspired her to create expressive pieces that felt lighter and easier to wear. What began as a creative passion alongside a small beach shop in Goa followed her to Singapore, where Bohème by Véro was officially established. A decade on, storytelling remains at the heart of every collection, with places, colours and atmospheres—from the Amazon rainforest and Ancient Egypt to Singapore’s tropical landscape—inspiring each design, while semi-precious stones are chosen as part of the story rather than simply as decoration. As the brand continues to expand and build a global presence, its designs have been worn by icons including Sharon Stone, Youssef Akbar, Jennifer Garner and Alicia Silverstone, while gaining recognition through international editorial and press coverage such as Marie Claire UK, Marie Claire Australia, WSJ and luxury publications across different markets.
Marilyn Tan
Marilyn Tan is the founder of Marilyn Tan Jewellery, famous for distinctive bespoke jewellery that brings together contemporary design and classic attention to detail. Marilyn Tan Jewellery, based in Singapore, is known for one-of-a-kind rings, earrings, necklaces and bracelets. Each piece is meticulously handcrafted using fine-quality materials, including semi-precious stones, jade, gemstones, pearls, silver and gold. With her instinct for discovering gems with personality, Marilyn Tan works with long-established and trusted gem suppliers and gem cutters from Germany to Jaipur to source gems and jade for her clients. Her focus is natural gems and jade, with clear provenance. Marilyn Tan travels across the globe for design inspiration, venturing from the Amazon jungles and Asian mountains to African Deserts, giving her award-winning jewellery designs a strong organic and sculptural quality. Her creative vision also extends to MTJ Jewellery Collections, a series of limited-edition designs in jade, pearls and gemstones that bring accessible luxury to a wider audience. Combining striking contemporary aesthetics with the craftsmanship typically associated with bespoke jewellery, each collection is for confident women who appreciate sophisticated design. Through her design work, Marilyn Tan continues to make jewellery a powerful expression of personality and modern elegance.
Simone Ng
Gemmologist, Founder and Executive Creative Director Simone Ng has shaped Simone Jewels into an award-winning luxury jewellery Maison where history, storytelling and artistry come together in one-in-the-world creations. For the past 20 years, Simone has developed a distinctive design language rooted in storytelling, artistry and innovation. Rather than following trends, each collection begins with a historical narrative, reinterpreted through contemporary design, exceptional gemstones and meticulous craftsmanship. The result is jewellery created not simply to adorn, but to evoke emotion, spark conversation and carry meaning. Her passion for individuality is reflected throughout the Maison’s high jewellery creations, while her appreciation for versatility has inspired transformable and multifunctional designs that allow a single jewel to be worn in different ways. At the heart of Simone’s philosophy is the belief that jewellery becomes most meaningful when the wearer forms a personal connection with its story. Whether through a collection or a bespoke creation, each piece is designed to become part of the wearer’s own journey and, ultimately, an heirloom to be treasured across generations.
Ruth Pestana & David Aumonier
Ruth Pestana and David Aumonier are the founders of Forbidden Hill, a distinctive jewellery brand born from an adventurous spirit and a passion for reimagining contemporary luxury through South East Asian lens. Blending East-meets-West influences with modern sophistication, the brand creates bold treasures inspired by the vibrant cultures and rich heritage of the region. Its signature customisable Silk Jewellery collections, spanning bangles, cuffs, earrings and pendants, feature an array of interchangeable silk colours, while its Gemstone Earring collections allow wearers to switch between exquisite gems for effortless versatility. Designed in its historic shophouse in Singapore, each piece is crafted with modern sophistication, using novel forms and materials, while drawing inspiration from the vibrancy of South East Asia. Bringing together a fine blend of craftsmanship and cultural storytelling, its jewellery pieces hint at the rich tapestry of the region, while offering a contemporary chic that can be styled individually. Forbidden Hill has captured attention across various media, establishing Ruth and David as creative forces in modern Asian jewellery.
Jenny Kwang
Jenny Kwang, Founder of J&Co Jewellery, is shaping everyday jewellery through pieces that feel deeply personal, effortlessly elegant and made to become an extension of the wearer. Built around the belief that jewellery should inspire confidence as much as it elevates an outfit, J&Co Jewellery specialises in timeless creations crafted from 14k solid gold, diamonds, 925 sterling silver and gold-filled materials, with high-quality, hypoallergenic options designed for everyday wear. Under Jenny’s creative vision, artistry meets intention, transforming precious raw materials into wearable works of art that seamlessly complement every style and occasion. Each piece is meticulously crafted by skilled artisans, with thoughtful details and refined craftsmanship bringing Jenny’s vision to life. From subtle everyday staples to meaningful pieces that make a statement, her collections celebrate individuality while adding a touch of enduring sophistication. Through J&Co Jewellery, Jenny invites wearers to embrace their personal style, feel their absolute best and make every piece uniquely their own.
Afzal Imram & Lin Ruiyin
Afzal Imram and Lin Ruiyin are the founders of State Property, one of Singapore’s finest contemporary jewellery design houses, celebrated for transforming fine jewellery into striking expressions of wearable art. Lin Ruiyin is an award-winning jeweller trained at Central St Martins in London under under the tutelage of industry heavyweights in contemporary jewellery, with her personal works featured in gallery collections in London. Afzal, an Industrial Design graduate of the National University of Singapore, has exhibited his work in Milan, Paris and Singapore. Together, their creative perspectives push the boundaries between art, design and the human form, resulting in distinctive creations that explore individual personality. Drawing inspiration from culture, literature and history, State Property marries structured silhouettes in precious metals with the soft textures of the body, elevating fine jewellery into wearable art that resonates. Its award-winning creations have attracted an international following and been worn by global stars including Taylor Swift, Jenna Ortega and Lady Gaga.
Choo Yilin
Choo Yilin is a jewellery designer and founder of the award-winning fine jewellery label, Choo Yilin renowned for its exquisite modern jade creations and storytelling through jewellery. A specialist in jade, she works primarily with handpicked Type A jadeite, diamonds and vibrant-coloured precious gemstones, brought to life through intricate metalwork to create pieces that celebrate love, heritage and becoming. Rooted in Asia, Choo Yilin draws inspiration from captivating stories across different eras and cultures, from 15th-century Java to Queen Victoria’s reign in England, transforming history and heritage into remarkable contemporary designs. With a passion for reimagining heirloom pieces for the 21st century, the brand creates emotionally significant jewellery for life’s most treasured occasions, including engagements, weddings, anniversaries and meaningful gifts. Having won multiple international awards and received media mentions worldwide, Choo Yilin has earned global recognition for its remarkable artistry and has had the honour of showcasing its work internationally, bringing the timeless beauty of jade to people around the world.
Olivia Eleazar
Olivia Eleazar, founder and creative director of Ask & Embla, is transforming jewellery into a powerful expression of identity and individuality. Born from alternative subcultures shaped by punk, goth, body modification and music movements, Ask & Embla creates expressive, unisex designs for anyone and everyone seeking to feel comfortable and confident in their own skin. From delicate gothic pieces and minimalist jewellery to bold bohemian designs and statement body jewellery, the brand embraces an eclectic spectrum of styles, materials and colours, from gold and silver to black or bone jewellery. Each creation carries an unmistakable edge, inspired by ancient influences and alternative lifestyles while moving beyond conventional costume jewellery and mainstream trends. At the heart of Olivia’s creative vision is the belief that jewellery should be more than an accessory—it should be an extension of identity and an ode to the self. Through Ask & Embla, she invites everyone to embrace their individuality and wear their story boldly.