Dear Orcidians, I will be traveling to Singapore in these next 2
weeks & wonder if there is anyplace jewelry or otherwise that I
don’t want to miss. If you’ve been there, or live there, I’d love
to hear from you. Thanks for all the tips, I love this forum.
Dee Harvazinski
Dear Dee,
Although I live in Kuala Lumpur I have been to Singapore many times.
One shop I really recommend to visit is located in the small Mall
connected to the Raffles Hotel. I will try to find the correct name
tomorrow but it is something like.Lotus or another Asian image name.
They have unusual jewelry and even a box and bag or two. The
designer, a Thai lady uses unusual combinations of things like gold
with shells and wood and diamonds. It is a very enjoyable shop to
feast ones eyes on. Singapore is a wonderful place and make sure you
see the zoo especially the night tour at the zoo. Food to die for
also.
Enjoy yourself.
Sharron in safe, wonderful, green, Malaysia
If you like beads and minerals, try the bead hub. www.beadhub.com
They have seminars, tools, supplies and of course beads The store
location is near sevreal trendy bars that many English and American
ex-patriots hang out. Tell them Arthur sent you.
If not alrerady on your agenda, spend a day on Sentosa Island. You
get there by bridge or suspended gondola. Once there you have a
choice of at least 2 beaches, a butterfly museum, aquarium, guided
tours and other themepark like events. There is a monorail that
encircles the island that’s free so you can explore easily.
The Indian neighborhood has amazing restaurants and small touristy
shops. You can go shopping at the locally famous Mohamed’s discount
store (local cabbies may debate with you whether the prices are low
or not) . There’s a lot of houseware and electronics, but they have
cheap suitecases in case you bring stuff home.
Tea at Raffles hotel is a must if you like tradition and good eats
(you will need a reservation) and after tea pop down to the pub for
a Singapore Sling or two. Very classic English colonial style. Nice
upper end shops especially for watches and jewelry.
Hope this helps.
For high-end jewellery, go to Takashimaya Shopping Centre, right
along Orchard Road. You can see branded one like Tiffany, Cartier,
Bulgari, etc.
Goldsmith shops are plenty, in Chinatown area, mainly in People Park
Centre and Complex (both builds are opposite each other), Chinatown
Point, etc. Alot of walking and shopping.
If you are interested in jade carving go to Smith street in
Chinatown, Singapore. More carving can be seen at our National
Museum where they exhibit some jade, quartz, serpentine carving,
rather small section. If you are buying jade, ask whether it is
natural A-jade, B-jade or C-jade. A-jade is natural without
treatment, B-jade is bleached and polymer impregnated, C-jade is dyed
jade; plus one more B+C-jade that is latest treated one with
bleached, dyed and polymer impregnated jade. Check it out.
Make sure that your tour guide are licenced because some of the
unlicence one bring tourist to shop that sell synthetic gem as
natural. Always ask around and check.
Enjoy yourself!
Tay
Website: www.gem-school.com