When it comes to fine jewellery, diamonds no longer have to do all the talking. Rare gemstones offer colour, history and a distinctiveness that’s difficult to replicate. For bespoke jewellery, particularly engagement rings, the right stone can become the starting point for the entire design. Its origin, care, cut and natural variations all shape its appeal – not to mention making it far less likely to appear on somebody else’s hand.
Asia is home to some of the world’s most respected gemstone markets, family-run dealers and independent jewellers. Across Bangkok, Hong Kong, Singapore and the Philippines, buyers can explore natural, certified and lab-grown stones at a broad range of price points, supported by services spanning custom sourcing, in-house cutting and bespoke design.
Ready to look past the classic diamond? Here are the Asian gemstone houses worth knowing. Let the treasure hunt begin.
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Katalia Fine Jewelry – Where gemological training meets the accuracy of dentistry
Want a rare gemstone with a story as unique as its colour? Katalia Fine Jewelry is a Philippine fine jewellery house specialising in rare coloured gemstones, bespoke commissions and one-of-a-kind pieces made to be worn with intention and treasured for generations.
Founder Dr. Karen Grace Pitero-Escobido combines formal training from GIA and GUILD with the methodical discipline developed through dentistry and her own creative eye, personally guiding clients through gemstone selection and each stage of the process. Every piece begins with a quality stone or personal story, before being crafted into a modern heirloom with flawless finishing and exceptional workmanship.
Private consultations offer collectors a personal, knowledgeable experience, whether they are seeking a rare gemstone, commissioning a custom design or creating a piece that commemorates an important chapter in their lives. With its hands-on, founder-guided approach and focus on quality, meaning and rarity, Katalia Fine Jewelry gives clients greater confidence in the calibre and lasting value of every creation.
Katalia Fine Jewelry, Unlad House, 1724 Leon Guinto, Malate, Manila, The Philippines, +63 918 9575085, Instagram: @kataliafinejewelry, www.kataliafinejewelry.com
VEERASAK – Cut in-house and documented with confidence
At VEERASAK, every gemstone is selected with expertise developed across more than four decades. Founded in Bangkok in 1982, the family-owned atelier is best known for its knowledge of rubies, with a wider collection spanning sapphires, peridots, spinels and other precious stones. Each gemstone comes from the house’s long-held collection, is cut in-house and chosen according to rigorous standards, resulting in pieces that feel striking without becoming overly ornate. Clients are accompanied through the curation process with complete transparency, with every stone guaranteed for its variety, origin and treatment and supported by certification from respected gemmological laboratories. This union of heritage, specialist expertise and documented provenance allows clients to choose with assurance and find a gemstone with its own history and identity.
VEERASAK, 7/F, Unit 758, Silom19 Building, 45/1 Silom 19 Alley, Silom Road, Bangrak, Bangkok 10500, Thailand, +66 2 236 4416, www.veerasakgems.com
Diamond Culture – Lab-grown diamonds and coloured gemstones
Diamond Culture is changing how Hong Kong shops for fine jewellery. Part of Diamania Jewelry’s lab-grown collection, the specialist offers diamonds, emeralds, rubies, sapphires, garnets and Paraiba-coloured stones created through HPHT or CVD technology. Each has the same chemical and physical properties as its mined counterpart, without the traditional price tag or environmental cost. Transparent pricing and IGI or GIA-certified stones give clients clarity over exactly what they’re purchasing, while a broad selection of cuts, ready-made pieces and customisable designs makes each choice more personal. Ethical, accessible and made without compromise on brilliance, Diamond Culture proves that choosing a lab-grown gemstone doesn’t mean sacrificing quality, beauty or originality.
Diamond Culture, Unit A, 20/F, CF Commercial Tower, 28 Mody Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon, Hong Kong, WhatsApp: +852 6329 7650, www.diamondculture.com.hk
K.V. Gems – Treasure trove of natural, unheated gemstones
A family-run gemstone house established in Bangkok in 1984, K.V. Gems is known for natural, unheated precious and semi-precious stones selected individually across a remarkable range of cuts and colours. Each gemstone is assessed according to the company’s proprietary grading standards and sourced directly through supplier relationships developed over decades, giving clients greater confidence over quality and value. Its varied inventory makes the selection process feel like a true treasure hunt, supported by expert service that removes much of the uncertainty associated with buying gemstones. K.V. Gems also assists clients seeking bespoke commissions and investment-grade stones, offering informed guidance at every stage of the purchase.
K.V. Gems, 194, 196 Mahesak 2 Alley, Suriya Wong, Bang Rak, Bangkok 10500, Thailand, +66 2 233 3964, www.kvgems.com
Gardens Of The Sun – B Corp-certified jewellery made with traceable gemstones
In Bali, Gardens Of The Sun is proving that fine jewellery can be beautiful, intimate and responsible. The ethical jewellery brand works with traceable gemstones, recycled silver and sustainable gold, placing responsible sourcing at the centre of every creation. Its collection spans engagement rings, birthstone jewellery and one-of-a-kind pieces set with sapphires, aquamarines, spinels and other coloured stones. Modern silhouettes allow the natural qualities of each gem to remain visible, while custom consultations give clients the freedom to create something closely connected to their own story. With B Corp certification and clear sourcing information behind its materials, Gardens Of The Sun offers jewellery made with care for both the wearer and the world around them.
Gardens Of The Sun, Jl. Kanda No. 15B, Sanur, Denpasar Selatan, Kota Denpasar, Bali, Indonesia 80228, +62 895 3651 83991, gardensofthesun.com
GIOIA Fine Jewellery – Bespoke jewellery beginning with exceptional natural gemstones
Those familiar with GIOIA Fine Jewellery can recognise its creations at a glance, worn by some of Singapore’s most dedicated collectors. Known for bespoke pieces designed as personal expressions, the house begins each commission with an individually selected natural gemstone and has a particular affinity for richly coloured stones. Its collection includes Sri Lankan sapphires, Colombian emeralds and Brazilian Paraiba tourmalines. Ethical sourcing, artisanal detail and close collaboration shape each commission, resulting in jewellery with visual presence and personal significance. With a loyal following and highly individual made-to-order creations, this is a name worth knowing.
GIOIA Fine Jewellery, #02-97A, International Plaza, 10 Anson Road, Singapore 079903, +65 6430 9771, gioia.com.sg
Thai Gems Export Ltd – Trusted wholesale source for certified coloured gemstones
Thai Gems Export Ltd offers gemstone buyers clarity, industry knowledge and a highly professional sourcing experience. The wholesale house specialises in natural, ethically sourced sapphires and rubies, with an edited inventory of calibrated loose stones available for immediate selection. Clients seeking something rarer can commission a certified gemstone through its custom-sourcing service. Every stone is hand-selected for colour, quality and long-term value, with certification from respected laboratories including GIA and GRS. Supported by extensive industry experience and clear documentation, Thai Gems Export Ltd is a trusted source for exceptional gemstones with verified origins.
Thai Gems Export Ltd, 1249/200 Gems Tower, Charoen Krung Road, Bangrak, Bangkok 10500, Thailand, +66 2267 4580, www.thaigems.com
Born in Korea and raised in Hong Kong, Min Ji has combined her degree in anthropology and creative writing with her passion for going on unsolicited tangents as an editor at Friday Club. In between watching an endless amount of movies, she enjoys trying new cocktails and pastas while occasionally snapping a few pictures.
