Padparadscha journey

[icy_jade]

Cherry garden dim sum lunch

Wah Lok at Carlton hotel

Tim Ho Wan - not the best but ok

Crystal Jade quality can be iffy depending on which outlet

 

[icy_jade]

Ok not for pads but an interesting place to walk around... buy affordable tourmalines etc...

Golden Landmark building at Bugis

I know Shaliha from the local gem shows but there are quite a few gem stores there

Just be warned that it’s super run down. I felt like I was back in the 80s

 

[ChaiK]

Oh, now I want to go to Shahila to buy stuff and then binge on Guan Kee Carrot Cake. I don't really care about any feel. Just buy gems and eat stuff - timeless fun.

 

[Lilith112]

Jiang Nan Chun at Four Seasons - this I love plenty plenty.

Min Jiang at Dempsey Hill. I love Dempsey Hill.

When down town in Orchard Road, I head for Crystal Jade or Nan Bei Dim Sum in Takashimaya fourth floor or fifth floor. But the first two would be my favourites.

Nothing else I can think of.

You could starve and then unleash your demons at a high tea in any of the hotels at 4 pm .

I hang out a lot at home when home so I am not the expert on where to go. Plus, having lived away for so long, I tend to only go to few favourite haunts for the short periods that I am there.

And I am mad for local food like Chicken Rice or Hokkien Mee or Char Kway Teow and Carrot Cake, hence not much help in the Dim Sum department.

Cherry garden dim sum lunch

Wah Lok at Carlton hotel

Tim Ho Wan - not the best but ok

Crystal Jade quality can be iffy depending on which outlet

Yaaaay thank you for the recommendations! Nothing beats a good day of shopping and eating alllll the food

During my recent trip, found a hawker stall near marina bay sands and tried out ya kun kaya, but was sadly busy w/work stuff

@icy_jade omg those gems....want to go now!!!!! Reminds of a bit of the mall on 南京东路 and 丽园路 I go to for gems actually.

 

[qubitasaurus]

Lei Garden inside Chijmes is really good for dim sum. You have to book though -- I think they may have been awarded a Michelin star and become super popular.

I like Kris at Jewelery point in far east. He has made several pieces for me and they've all turned out particularly well.

 

[Lilith112]

Lei Garden inside Chijmes is really good for dim sum. You have to book though -- I think they may have been awarded a Michelin star and become super popular.

I like Kris at Jewelery point in far east. He has made several pieces for me and they've all turned out particularly well.

Ohhh what's the best way to reach him? Does he have WeChat by any chance lol? Just to double check, is Far East plaza also on Orchard Rd? Near Tang Marriott and Lucky Plaza?

 

[qubitasaurus]

Im afraid you'll have to go see him, as he is very old school and does not do any form of digital marketing -- I believe his customers are all repeat purchasers.

It is far east plaza on Scotts road. I think it is level 2 or 3 but you can google it (singaporean labeling conventions always confuse me as to what is considered ground). This shopping centre is next to the hyatt on Scotts which does a nice high tea at their cafe 10 Scotts and good happy hour at the martini bar.

Be careful not to confuse far east plaza with the far east square on orchard road. They are not the same shopping centres.

 

[Lilith112]

Im afraid you'll have to go see him, as he is very old school and does not do any form of digital marketing -- I believe his customers are all repeat purchasers.

It is far east plaza on Scotts road. I think it is level 2 or 3 but you can google it (singaporean labeling conventions always confuse me as to what is considered ground). This shopping centre is next to the hyatt on Scotts which does a nice high tea at their cafe 10 Scotts and good happy hour at the martini bar.

Be careful not to confuse far east plaza with the far east square on orchard road. They are not the same shopping centres.

Ohhh gotcha. So, so far, my go-to places are:

Lucky Plaza (Orchard)
Far East Plaza (Scott's Rd)
Tanglin Shopping Center
Golden Landmark Building

Plus probably going to stop by Marriott Tang again to chat w/Shelia (the one that showed me the 2.54ct pad).

Hoping my bf's up for a full day of looking at gemstones lol!

 

[icy_jade]

Ohhh gotcha. So, so far, my go-to places are:

Lucky Plaza (Orchard)
Far East Plaza (Scott's Rd)
Tanglin Shopping Center
Golden Landmark Building

Plus probably going to stop by Marriott Tang again to chat w/Shelia (the one that showed me the 2.54ct pad).

Hoping my bf's up for a full day of looking at gemstones lol!

Is she from Youth Jewellery?

 

[Lilith112]

Is she from Youth Jewellery?

Not sure? Her card says her business is called Sheila Customize Jewelry. Originally foumd her through Instagram

 

[qubitasaurus]

I think she might be a pricescoper (although I cant remember why I think this) . I have never been able to work out the user name if she is one.

She has been posting for a long time to loupetroop.

By the way the round pad looks like a winner. You should be aware that it may not neccesaeily be certified by a major lab as a pad. As they dont all agree on what constitutes a pad. But the colour looks beautiful.

 

[Lilith112]

I think she might be a pricescoper (although I cant remember why I think this) . I have never been able to work out the user name if she is one.

She has been posting for a long time to loupetroop.

By the way the round pad looks like a winner. You should be aware that it may not neccesaeily be certified by a major lab as a pad. As they dont all agree on what constitutes a pad. But the colour looks beautiful.

Ohhh really? :O Huh, I think I just found her LoupeTroop account actually lol.

Well, it's been certed as one by Nanyang which is ok by me I guess. If it's still around by my next trip to Singapore (Dec/Jan), then I might spring for it if I don't bump into another pad that takes my breath away lol.

 

[icy_jade]

Ok doesn’t sound like it then. Only asking as Youth did the “start with sky high prices” tactic to me before. Beautiful window display that always makes me drool but since I hate such tactics I will not step into that shop again.

Worth admiring the eye candy tho.

 

[Lilith112]

Ok doesn’t sound like it then. Only asking as Youth did the “start with sky high prices” tactic to me before. Beautiful window display that always makes me drool but since I hate such tactics I will not step into that shop again.

Worth admiring the eye candy tho.

Gotcha.

On the subject of sky-high pricing...I inquired about a 2.02ct pad today, Madagascar origin... and the seller quoted RMB36800! Color wasn't bad, but it had a huge window, tilt window, and the pad was nearly flat! The price was especially shocking when compared to the 2.54ct (Sri Lankan origin, much better cutting) one I just saw!

 

[icy_jade]

Gotcha.

On the subject of sky-high pricing...I inquired about a 2.02ct pad today, Madagascar origin... and the seller quoted RMB36800! Color wasn't bad, but it had a huge window, tilt window, and the pad was nearly flat! The price was especially shocking when compared to the 2.54ct (Sri Lankan origin, much better cutting) one I just saw!

Maybe China pricing is like that and then they expect you to start bargaining at 30% of price or something.

That said there are stores like that in Singapore too. I mean, if they succeed it’s like doing a one time hit and run ya. If they don’t care about repeat business, then why not.

 

[Lilith112]

Maybe China pricing is like that and then they expect you to start bargaining at 30% of price or something.

That said there are stores like that in Singapore too. I mean, if they succeed it’s like doing a one time hit and run ya. If they don’t care about repeat business, then why not.

Maybe, or maybe it's the vendor specifically. I just thought this case was particularly egregious because of the apalling cut quality.

 

[icy_jade]

@Lilith112

My jeweller had this today and I thought of you when I saw it

Sunrise 2.0ct sapphire with GRS cert

 

[Lilith112]

@Lilith112

My jeweller had this today and I thought of you when I saw it

Sunrise 2.0ct sapphire with GRS cert

Ohhh cushion cut? Mada or Sri Lanka?

 

[icy_jade]

Mada unheated

6.52x6.04x5.09

I like how saturated it looks but it’s more exp than the one you saw recently so don’t think you will be keen but just sharing eye candy

Ohhh cushion cut? Mada or Sri Lanka?

 

[Lilith112]

Mada unheated

6.52x6.04x5.09

I like how saturated it looks but it’s more exp than the one you saw recently so don’t think you will be keen but just sharing eye candy

Eye candy is always welcome Please feel free to share any finds, esp w/how tricky looking for a pad is.

 

[icy_jade]

Which part of Dec will you be in Singapore?

Just want to add that if you go Far East you can see beautiful stuff at Huen’s...



I always ogle when I walk past the display windows

 

[Lilith112]

Which part of Dec will you be in Singapore?

Just want to add that if you go Far East you can see beautiful stuff at Huen’s...



I always ogle when I walk past the display windows

Probably around Christmas/New Years Eve! Omg...that display is gorgeooous. Don't have anywhere to wear it to, but a girl can dream Does Huen usually have loose pads? Or is it mostly set/finished pieces?

 

[icy_jade]

Probably around Christmas/New Years Eve! Omg...that display is gorgeooous. Don't have anywhere to wear it to, but a girl can dream Does Huen usually have loose pads? Or is it mostly set/finished pieces?

I dunno! Am usually too intimidated to step in. I think recall being stunned by the prices some time ago. Maybe I’ll swing by to look when I’m clearing my leave lol.

Hopefully the stores will be open at that time. I think may be closed on public hols so pls check before you go.

Richard Hung at Lucky Plaza is good for ogling too.

 

[Lilith112]

I dunno! Am usually too intimidated to step in. I think recall being stunned by the prices some time ago. Maybe I’ll swing by to look when I’m clearing my leave lol.

Hopefully the stores will be open at that time. I think may be closed on public hols so pls check before you go.

Richard Hung at Lucky Plaza is good for ogling too.

Ohhh will keep that in mind, thank you! Will try to arrive a bit before Xmas, say the 22nd, so I can hopefully see more!

Just was sent over a promising looking candidate- Sri Lanka, 2.08ct, Rmb23000





Looks a bit pink for my taste, but will reserve judgement until I see more pics

Another 1ctish option:

 

[natasha-cupcake]

At first glance, I like the pear. It has nice proportions and the color looks promising. More pics and videos would be nice!

 

[Lilith112]

At first glance, I like the pear. It has nice proportions and the color looks promising. More pics and videos would be nice!

That's what I think too! Still waiting for more pics tho

 

[Lilith112]

A contender? Oval, 2.05ct, unheated, Madagascar:




One thing I'm unsure is the price; vendor's quoting me RMB39000. She'll send over more pics tomorrow in natural daylight, but my gut tells me the pricetag's a bit high atm.

 

[minousbijoux]

A contender? Oval, 2.05ct, unheated, Madagascar:




One thing I'm unsure is the price; vendor's quoting me RMB39000. She'll send over more pics tomorrow in natural daylight, but my gut tells me the pricetag's a bit high atm.

Well all I can say is Wow! Because if the stone really looks like the pics, and its unheated (it is), and the clarity is good and cutting decent (seems to be), I would happily pay $5,500 for it. That is $2,750/carat for a 2+ carat unheated padparadscha. I'd be all over that.

 

[natasha-cupcake]

Always hard to tell if the stone will live up to expectations based on pics alone, but this one makes my heart melt. The color looks like it might be spectacular.

 

[voce]

A contender? Oval, 2.05ct, unheated, Madagascar:




One thing I'm unsure is the price; vendor's quoting me RMB39000. She'll send over more pics tomorrow in natural daylight, but my gut tells me the pricetag's a bit high atm.

Looks very promising. The price is probably not too high if everything checks out. This color is much rarer than even cornflower blue especially considering unheated. In the US, people would pay $5k-$6k PER CARAT, or $10-12k total, for an unheated 2 ct padparadscha, so if your seller has access to the US market, it would fetch something more like RMB60,000.

Unfortunately, the tariff of 30% is something a Chinese vendor would likely have to eat, if they export it to the US. That would cut significantly into margins and leaves then only RMB42,000 after all that hassle of exporting. So, the current trade situation benefits Chinese consumers at the expense of Chinese vendors, at least in terms of the market for fine gemstones.