Earrings are the type of jewellery that can be worn at any time of day, with any outfit or hairstyle, to any venue.
They can be worn for different types of occasions, mixed and matched with other accessories, and a statement pair can be worn on its own.
There are countless types made from all manners of materials out there, but only earrings made with precious, durable gems have value in the long run.
It is rare to find a pair that are very closely matched, and this elevates the value of both pieces.
“It takes time to find stones of a specific shade of colour, clarity and size. Every gem is unique, so searching for your ideal gemstone is an adventure. It is a labour of time and love to find a matching pair of gemstones in close proximity in colour and size,” explains DeGem Group’s operations director Jia Chen Choong.
Jia Chen, who grew up immersed in the family business, was a teenager when he was given the task of finding matching pairs of rubies and sapphires in the family factory.
He learnt that this was not a simple task, as none of the gems given to him were identical. This experience piqued his passion for precious gems, and he today he manages DeGem Group’s operations and oversees the company’s stone cutting facility, with a decade of experience in buying gemstone rough and enhancing gemstones’ cutting to improve their value.
There’s value enhancement in well-designed and artisanal-crafted earrings as they are timeless works of art with premium resale value.
Queen Elizabeth II influenced the popularity of diamond earrings, as she had her ears pierced to wear her wedding diamond earrings.
Since then, diamond earrings have become a fashion staple.
Despite the pandemic, the sale of fine jewellery in auctions is still going strong, as collectors are looking to secure investments in uncertain times.
Apart from the rarity of the gems selected, jewellery sold in auction houses feature extraordinary designs and high-value workmanship.
With over 40 years of experience in the business of gem sourcing, designing and crafting under one roof, DeGem is skilled in creating contemporary and classic jewellery, expertly crafted with meticulous world-class finishings and featuring top-notch gems that are works of art.
“We are interested in creating truly timeless heirloom designs, complemented with the best matched gems with side stones to amplify the beauty and value of any gems that come through our hands. Earrings are no exception, where our goal is to create smartly designed jewellery that is practical for wearing day-to-day, as there is little value in having a dramatic piece that one wears for a wedding but is only kept in the safe after, for example,” says DeGem’s communications and design director Jiayueh Choong.
“It is our job to make sure our products are worthy of their buyers and future generations, because fine jewellery, when made with careful diligence can be valuable investment pieces in the long run.”
DeGem’s in-house factory combines state-of-the-art technology and traditional handcrafting skills to engineer superior quality jewellery, worn by international stars such as Reese Witherspoon, Awkwafina, Janelle Monae and Idina Menzel.
When customising jewellery in DeGem boutiques, after speaking to sales representatives about their choice of gems, customers are able to consult DeGem’s jewellery designers to propose designs to suit their lifestyles and personality.
Fine gem or diamond earrings are durable wardrobe staples, and if the gems are rare, they are valuable heirloom pieces.
Here is a breakdown of the top earrings one can consider in terms of style and value from DeGem:
Rare and exciting styles
Red Spinel earrings
It took years to gather this collection of 11ct total weight Burmese red spinels in a perfectly matched identical red shade, cut in cushion shape. This group of gems combined are worth more when put together than sold apart.
Inspired by the ogee arch from English Gothic architectural design, the spinels’ cushion shapes are contrasted with pear and round brilliant cut diamonds, creating an intricate yet bold look.
This work of art is DeGem’s modern interpretation of the famous style of Georgian era girandole earrings.
Emerald Jardin earrings
This stunning pair of earrings carries a 11ct emerald on each side, beautifully faceted for high lustre and in matching lush green hues.
To highlight their beauty, DeGem paired them with cushion cut and round brilliant diamonds.
Rare Blush Pink Conch Pearls
Conch pearls are the industry’s best kept secret: the most valuable natural pearl that cannot be cultured.
Oval in a nudish pink hue, they are produced by the Queen conch, a large sea snail, and they display a mystifying wave-like “flame” structure on their surface – resulting in a creamy, porcelain-like appearance.
DeGem is the only jeweller in the country that has curated the largest collection of conch, clam and Melo pearls in the region, to cater to customers looking for the truly rare.
These two 4ct conch pearls are encircled in graduating weights of diamonds and suspended from contrasting marquise shaped diamonds.
Fine Jadeite earrings in Art Deco style
This pair of lush green Type A Jadeite earrings is cut in unique geometrical shaped slabs, contrasted with brilliant cut diamonds and black enamel peeking from underneath the Jadeite, a stunning and smartly designed contemporary piece.
Pigeon Blood Ruby Blooming Cluster earrings
It takes years to find a pair of these rare rubies, certified as natural pigeon blood colour (the most valued colour in Ruby), each at an astounding 5ct.
The beauty of this pigeon blood red is best brought out in the contrast of colourless rose cut white diamonds in shapes of oval and pear, with additional melee diamonds and suspended by cabochon rubies.
Fansy Diamond Earrings
Dripping with pear-shaped and round brilliant cut diamonds, and arranged in a Chinoiserie style reminiscent of dancing feather fans, this pair of earrings is a modern artistic piece for a modern Asian wedding or a head-turning statement piece for fancy dinners.
The fan motifs are defined with contrasting diamond sizes and settings, spread from a nature-inspired vine, leading to water droplet-like pear-shaped diamonds dangling on its tips. A unique blend of Belle Epoque and Art Noveau styles, this timeless pair is an heirloom masterpiece.
Everyday elegance
Colour Contrast: DeGem W!nk earrings
A pair of round brilliant diamonds and pear-shaped diamonds are used to create a silhouette of two songbirds, with dangling diamond tails, contrasted against Lapiz Lazuli for dramatic visual impact.
The surprise: the birds can sway left and right as you move – a fun mechanism embedded in enables them to do so, capturing the spirit of nature and freedom.
Hoop Earrings: Forevermark Avaanti earrings
The Forevermark Avaanti collection is inspired by a ripple that can ignite chain reactions that bring forth change – a symbol of endless possibilities to your everyday style.
The Forevermark Avaanti Pavé hoops earrings are available in white gold and rose gold, set with spectacular De Beers Forevermark diamonds.
Tanzanite Azure Opulence earrings
A rare pair of 10ct Tanzanites, fashioned into a glowing sugarloaf cut, invokes the structural grandeur of architectural domes, further framed in a stunning maze of sparkling sapphires, diamonds and emeralds.
This style of earrings embodies the hallmarks of the Art Deco period’s geometrical style and oriental colours.
Structural beauty: DeGem DNA earrings
This trademarked DeGem design is inspired by a DNA double helix motif, which celebrates your unique individuality.
Sleek swirls and superior cut diamonds in contrasting shapes of baguette and round brilliant cuts interact to form this futuristic work of art, scintillating mirrors of rainbow sparkles with every movement you make.
Moving Masterpiece: DeGem Vero Amore earrings
Inspired by the Georgian kinetic statues Ali and Nino, which move towards each other every day to meet in an embrace, these statement earrings embody the interlocking entanglement of lovers' fates.
The cascading, kinetic rows are geometrically designed for a simple timeless elegance, embellished with 8ct weight worth of superior-cut baguette diamonds, channeling Art Deco style.
Forevermark Journey Earrings by DeGem
Awkwafina became the first actress of Asian descent to win the award for Best Actress at the Golden Globes, wearing a DeGem Journey ring.
Inspired by the curvature of train rail tracks, DeGem designed this set of jewellery to represent the journey we all make, overcoming challenges to realising to your true self.
This is shown using natural Forevermark diamonds set gradually spiraling from the outside in, to the biggest centre diamond.
Diamond Geometry Stud Earrings
A modern classic cluster design, with clever usage and contrast of different brilliant diamond shapes, such as pear, oval, emerald and radiant, each diamond cut in 0.99ct.
A timeless heirloom piece suitable to wear from a day of work to times of leisure or a soiree.
To design your own DeGem earrings and to shop for fine jewellery, visit www.degemdiamond.com or any of DeGem’s boutiques in Bangsar, the Gardens, 1Utama, Pavilion and Ampang.
