STONE AGE

The fiery character of a precious gemstone is fully harnessed by the artistic skills of Yuli Inc. – Fine Jewellery

The adage goes that one does not choose a precious gemstone, the stone chooses the person. We can’t quite explain why, from a tray of similar-looking diamonds, our eyes will linger longer on a specific one, regardless of the four C’s and other criteria. Is it a mystical connection, pure science, or simply a matter of beauty in the eye of the beholder, the answer eludes us, but collectors of precious gemstones will attest that buying a stone is an emotional experience.

Jessie Foo (above) of Yuli Inc. – Fine Jewellery understands that this process is very much driven by personal intuition, and seeks to connect aficionados and budding collectors to the right gems. A veteran in this industry for the past 20 years, Foo was one of the pioneers who introduced coloured gemstones into the vocabulary of the local gem collector. Her well-connected network enables her to source and find the most beautiful and rarest of stones.

At the Yuli boutique at Palais Renaissance, customers are privy to some of the most magnificent stones that span the colours of the rainbow, from better known ones such as emeralds, sapphires, spinels, coloured diamonds and rubies to more esoteric ones such as sphenes and tsavorites. For instance, should they come in asking for a pink-hued gem, the specialist will bring out trays of candy-coloured stones, from tourmalines to kunzites and even pink diamonds. They will be spoilt for choice for the best colour, clarity, cut, weight and character that perfectly reflects their personality and preferences.

Once the customer has made their selection, the jeweller will then conceptualise a design that will best accentuate the stone's character and brilliance. It’s a process that requires 10 steps from start to finish, and each design is uniquely created to suit the wearer’s individuality.

Quality is of utmost importance at Yuli, and this can be seen in the standard of stones on display, as they are all rare and unique. Even in terms of craftsmanship, Foo will ensure that each piece that leaves the premises is absolutely stellar. She says, “Each piece is worked and reworked until it is 100 per cent perfect. We will not deliver any jewellery to a customer that we feel is not up to the standards that we expect and demand. Only when it meets our exceptionally high expectations does a Yuli jewellery piece leave our premises in the hands of a satisfied customer.”

01-08 Palais Renaissance. Tel: 6732 9648. www.yuli.com.sg

From top: Earrings in white gold with diamonds and pink diamonds; ring in white gold with Paraiba tourmaline, blue sapphires and diamonds; and a spinel