Author: Ruchi Singla

A recent court ruling has highlighted a grave concern for individuals and professionals within the jewellery industry. A maid, identified only as Sumarmi, has been sentenced to 14 months in jail for stealing 59 pieces of jewellery from her employer’s home, which she subsequently pawned for over $23,000. Sumarmi, an Indonesian national who had been employed by the victim’s family for over a decade, also took more than $10,000 in cash, including various foreign currencies. Legal Proceedings and Sentencing Sumarmi faced charges under two counts of theft in dwelling and one under the Corruption, Drug Trafficking and Other Serious Crimes…

In a revealing examination of the financial strategies employed by foreign domestic workers in Singapore, attention has been drawn to the practices of certain jewellery stores in Lucky Plaza. These stores have been offering gold jewellery on installment plans with no upfront payment, a scheme that has led to unintended financial burdens for some workers. The Scheme Unveiled A total of 39 jewellery shops span the seven storeys of Lucky Plaza, with some advertising “$0 down payment” deals in Tagalog, signaling directly to the Filipino community. These deals allow foreign domestic workers to purchase gold jewellery without an initial deposit,…

The Singapore Jewellers Association (SJA) has announced the return of the Singapore Jewellery Design Award (SJDA), a cornerstone event celebrating the intricate art of jewellery design and innovation. This event, in partnership with the Jewellery Design & Management International School (JDMIS) and IEG Asia, is set to redefine the boundaries of creativity and craftsmanship in the industry. Bridging Tradition and Innovation The SJDA, with a history spanning more than ten years, is offering three categories in this year’s event: ‘Jewellery Without Limits’, ‘Fresh Facets’, and ‘Exquisite AI’. These categories are established to accommodate a wide range of participants, from experienced…