Rachel Lee
You could say that Rachel Lee fell in love with Simone Jewels the minute she laid eyes on her first piece. Additionally, this is when she met Simone Ng, founder and executive creative director of Simone Jewels. “About five years ago, I attended a jewellery exhibition. I was completely mesmerised by a pair of aquamarine earrings from her Birds in Poetry collection, but I thought I would sleep on it for a couple of days before deciding. I didn’t even last a night as they came home with me that same evening! They remain one of my favourite pieces,” says Lee, who assists her husband who does real estate.
Since then, her collection has grown significantly. It includes pearl studs worn with diamond studded jackets in the form of comets, a pearl necklace with a diamond clasp, and a lagoon tourmaline ring from the current Portraits of Porcelain collection (worn). Lee is eagerly awaiting the completion of her custom necklace, which is a bespoke design with a large egg- shaped pearl that can be worn in different ways.
“I love Simone’s designs. They are like pieces of art, and I love the stories and inspiration behind each collection. So much talent, love and care go into each piece. The quality of the gems used are also top-notch and her attention to detail is amazing.”
While Lee has an instinctive attraction to beautiful jewellery, she is also a savvy buyer. The ruby and padparadscha sapphire set in separate rings that she bought from Simone Jewels are among the rare and investment-grade gemstones she seeks when shopping for jewellery. “Even though I don’t buy jewellery as an investment, I recognise that these rare gemstones will appreciate over time,” she says.
Amy Long
“I could tell right away that Simone’s works are elevated and distinctive in terms of artistry, creativity, and design,” says Amy Long, describing her first encounter with Simone Jewels. As the general manager of Vermillion, a luxury B2B e-commerce platform for Asian luxury and premium lifestyle brands, Long has a keen eye for quality craftsmanship and a passion for unique designs.
“What I love about her creations is that each piece is not just about a great stone, but also about how that stone fits within the overall design and how every piece incorporates different jewellery disciplines. Simone’s jewellery designs are always fluid and graceful, often featuring many special details. I also love how she is inspired by different stories — it really sets her work apart,” says Long.
Her first purchase from Simone Jewels was a ring adorned with intertwined bands, carved and faceted emeralds and sapphires, and a delicate braid of diamonds. “I find myself reaching for it time and time again because it’s perfect for dressing up or down. It’s chunky and edgy yet elegant and beautifully crafted,” she explains.
Six years later, she has accumulated a sizeable collection of about 10 pieces. Her favourite is a pair of mother of pearl earrings that “illuminate the face and just go with everything — from jeans and a white tee to a power dress for work”.
Kisa Harrison
While others seek out carats and facets, Kisa Harrison, CEO of luxury home furnishings Christopher Guy, seeks out the stories that animate the jewels. “Simone’s jewellery is very unique and artistic, but what I love most are the beautiful stories behind the pieces.”
It was during Storied Gems, the brand’s 15th- anniversary exhibition in 2021, that she became acquainted with Simone Jewels. As a result of the evocative stories behind the bejewelled masterpieces, she felt particularly drawn to two collections: Romance to Art Nouveau and Bombshell. While the first references famous Art Nouveau artists and Japanese ukiyo-e woodblock prints, the latter is a love story about a mysterious Hollywood starlet.
Harrison’s first purchase from Simone Jewels was her A Star is Born ring from the Bombshell collection. “It was inspired by an actress who lived life by her own rules, and it reminded me of my journey,” she says.
It depicts a diamond-set star under a rock crystal cabochon, with a personalised inscription underneath: “Everything leads me to you”, a quote from one of her love letters with her late husband Christopher Guy. “I am very sentimental. It is okay for me to leave my jewellery around, but I keep our cards and letters in a safe,” she says.
She also bought a ring from the Romance to Art Nouveau collection that was inspired by The Great Wave off Kanagawa, a famous Japanese woodblock print. “This ring reminds me of how we are all connected. I feel a sense of attachment to it. I love how it’s also delicate, understated, and easy to wear.”
Rings are her favourite type of jewellery. “You wear earrings to show others, but rings are something you wear for yourself. I don’t need an occasion to wear my rings; I also wear them at home when I’m alone. They bring me comfort, give me confidence, and always remind me of something personal.”
Photography: Joel Low
Styling: Chia Wei Choong
Hair: Sean Ang/Evolve, using Eimi Wella
Makeup: Wee Ming, using Shu Uemura
Photography Assistant: Eddie Teo
Styling Assistant: Bryan Ho
