Kirstin O’Brien of TORY & KO. Jewellers mixes business with pleasure in Singapore…

Published in Eye Magazine December/January 2023/2024

Full disclosure: this is not a “must-do when in Singapore” guide. It is more a “glamour-meets-gin-meets-gemstones” story. Read on if you love any of these things…

Singapore has been a great destination for a family holiday and a stop-over to and from Europe but on this visit I decided to channel my inner Rhianna and “shine bright like a diamond”… The Singapore Jewellery & Gemstone World Trade Show was the excuse and the experience was pure luxury.

My business partner, Victoria Taylor and I had decided an excursion to an International Gemstone Trade Show was in order to source some specific sparkles (ie: pink sapphires, diamond bracelets, emeralds, tourmalines and tanzanites) for our bespoke clientele.

We decided to take a few days out to gain some “inspiration” which we not only found at the Jewellery Trade Show but also at the bottom of our champagne flutes and whilst sipping gin. Sometimes taking time out of the business really does mean working on the business.

Hot off the plane we started our research: stepping into the sophisticated elegance of the Ritz-Carlton Millenia Singapore, changing into our cocktail outfits and heading straight to our reservation at ATLAS Bar in the magnificent Art Deco styled Park View Square building. This building had actually been the inspiration behind our Art Deco Collection on a previous visit so we were looking forward to just taking in the ambiance (and the gin martinis) to celebrate our arrival in Singapore. Click the links above to read more….

Perhaps it was the lavish orchid arrangements or the prancing antelope on the illuminated ceiling (or maybe the third espresso martini?) but we left heady on the atmosphere of “the gilded age” dreams and newly purchased ATLAS Bar “Waterford” crystal champagne coupes.

These became the muse for a new diamond bracelet and necklace collection…. Who said you can’t mix work and play?

The next day we decided to have a little retail therapy. The Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands did not disappoint. From Alexander McQueen to Zanotti, the designers made it hard to choose a new handbag - but we stayed focused and finally settled on Saint Laurent. The glass of champagne offered by the delightful assistant may have been a contributing factor.

A delicious pick-me-up of steamed Truffle & Pork Xiao Long Bao dumplings at Din Tai Fung lifted our energy for a reconnaissance (and a little more shopping) in the Prada and Chanel boutiques (plus a Ferrari watch purchase for Dad) and then we headed back to the Ritz-Carlton Millenia Singapore for a relaxing La Mer Facial at the Day Spa followed by aperitifs at the Club Lounge.

We had plenty of work-related things to discuss now that we had ticked “retail therapy” off the list. Drifting off to our luxurious rooms after a delicious dinner, hand-made chocolates and “cordials” (read: cognac), work resumed.

A little planning for the next day was done: future reference notes for an article on the Ritz-Carlton Hotel for Lucire Magazine & a gemstone shopping list. I rested my head on the monogrammed pillowcase and marvelled at what we had achieved in the last 28 hours.

The excitement of attending a Jewellery Trade Fair after years of Covid-impeded travel was quickly brought back to reality with the thousand-people queues waiting to get their registrations validated. Fortunately, the organisers decided to let some of us through into the event with our passports, pre-registration certificates and Covid vaccination passes which semi-sped up proceedings. We were finally inside!

The Singapore Expo and Max Conference centre was buzzing with gemstone and diamond merchants, jewellery manufacturing and fine jewellery suppliers over 5 enormous pavilions. We had our work cut out for us over the next few days. But first - a dance with a dragon!

Victoria and I had quite a few specific requests from customers so we took to the show at full throttle. By 2pm we had secured a new, specialised cut sapphire merchant, sourced a tanzanite, drooled over the most amazing emeralds and looked at about 30 different diamond bracelet settings before finding the perfect ones.

By this stage we were a little hungry but the sandwich menu had run out so we powered through with the knowledge that the Club Lounge would be waiting for us back at the Ritz- Carlton. That evening meal and desert tasted so good…

The next day was another busy work day: we had a pink sapphire to source, search for champagne diamond bracelets and a diamond necklace and some large Aquamarine and Amethysts to find in specific size and cuts.

We managed to achieve most of our gemstone goals and then headed back to the Ritz-Carlton for a meeting with the Public Relations & Marketing Communications Executive Belinda Leow. I had been asked to write an article on the Ritz-Carlton Millenia Singapore for Lucire magazine so I had to put my alternative work hat on for the afternoon and evening.

While we waited for Belinda we were treated to a glimpse of two Formula 1 drivers: Esteban Ocon and Sergio Perez. I tried to contain my excitement under my professional mantle as hotel guest/writer/business owner - but this was more spark and sparkle than one girl could take in a day!

I needed to calm my nerves with a glass of Champagne and Espresso Martini…before heading to my room for a hot bath and to write about my tour of the hotel.

It was now my final day in Singapore before zipping off to a family wedding in Hunter Valley and I had a bit to do… secure a pink sapphire, partake in a gin at the Hotel’s Republic Bar (purely for research!), take some photos of the hotel and try not to lurk around the foyer looking for Formula One drivers too obviously.

Somehow, with good will and a little grace I managed all of this. I said goodbye to Victoria and scintillating Singapore and squeezed in a little shopping at the beautiful Jewel Shopping centre at Changi Airport before being whisked away by Singapore Airlines at midnight. This diamond was a little rough around the edges but still shining brightly…