Singapore Tatler Jewels & Time
Precious Things
Go behind the scenes of the bespoke jewellery making process at Madly to gain a deeper understanding of your prized bijoux
A jewellery collection is often the most precious part of one’s wardrobe. There is no doubt the jewels have extrinsic value, but often, it is the sentiments behind each piece that make the wearer cherish it even more. This emotional connection can be especially powerful with bespoke pieces featuring gemstones that have been handpicked to mark one of life’s special occasions, be it a wedding, an anniversary or a birth, or simply a gift of love.
And when it comes to personalised creations, homegrown fine jewellery house Madly, which specialises in bespoke jewellery featuring only the top 0.1 per cent of coloured gemstones, has elevated the game to a whole new level.
With support from the Singapore Tourism Board, the house, which was founded in 2014 by former top radio DJ Maddy Barber, has lifted the veil on the journey of a jewel with the launch of its Madly Brand Experience Centre—a pivotal step in the evolution of Madly, as Barber has always believed in gem education and bringing clients along in the bespoke journey. “The Brand Experience Centre plays such an important role in Singapore’s jewellery scene by influencing how we appreciate coloured gemstones,” says
Barber, who launched her design house to disrupt Singapore’s diamond‑centric jewellery industry by showcasing the unique qualities of more kaleidoscopic gems.
Set within an atmospheric conservation building on Ann Siang Road, the recently opened centre, billed as the first of its kind in the world, invites one to go on a deep dive into the realm of coloured gems—from their beginnings in the mines to the different stages they go through as they are shaped, polished and set in the final design.
Greeting guests upon entry into the centre is the Straight from the Source feature wall, which transports one to the mines of Tanzania and Sri Lanka, where Madly has local sourcing offices. At this interactive section, one is encouraged to reach into the niches carved into the wall to touch any of the rough gem specimens showcased. “Exposing the ‘unglamorous’ side of fine jewellery allows us to truly appreciate the beauty of Mother Nature as well as the hard work,
creativity and artistry [that go into unlocking] each jewel’s potential,” Barber explains. As guests explore the rough specimens, a motion sensor activates the corresponding educational videos while geographical areas where the gems are mined are highlighted on a map.
Further into the store, a rare video shows a lapidarist— a person who cuts and polishes gems—in the process of refining a jewel. Filmed in real time, this is the closest that many will get to watching a live gem‑cutting demonstration, which is often a secretive process. Each facet of the gem is meticulously grinded, buffed, polished and carefully measured to ensure maximum light dispersion in a showcase of the level of patience and artistry that each hand‑cut precious gem requires to sparkle.
Guests at the centre can also explore the Rough to Cut wall of gems, where various types of coloured gemstones are displayed to spark the imagination, from the “big three”—ruby, sapphire and emerald—to the fascinatingly vivid spinel, tanzanite, garnet, topaz and tourmaline. Those looking for something truly one of a kind can head for the special section showcasing phenomenal gems that change colour and display unique effects such as chatoyancy, also known as the cat’s eye effect, and asterism, a star‑shaped light effect on the surface of a gem.
“Exposing the ‘unglam’ side of fine jewellery allows us to truly appreciate the beauty of Mother Nature”
Duly inspired after this unprecedented insight into the behind‑the‑scenes processes and craftsmanship in the gemstone industry? Guests can embark on their very own bespoke jewellery journey by sitting down with any of the 10 graduate jewellery designers on the Madly team at hand to customise, from scratch, an heirloom‑worthy piece. After the design is finalised, each handcrafted creation will be forged by master craftsmen in gold, embodying its owner’s unique style and desires.
Backed by a new, intimate knowledge of the time‑ and labour‑intensive craft behind the creation of one-of-a-kind jewellery, there is no doubt that the owner will fall truly, madly and deeply in love with her treasure and hold it dear for a long time to come.