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Vol.1 2003 |
Product Features Coloured Stone Jewellery Fancy Cut Diamond Jewellery Two-Tone Jewellery |
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Coloured Stone Jewellery
Classy Colours
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This magnificent four-piece emerald-and-diamond suite in 18K white gold from Noble Jewelry Ltd is in the best classic jewellery tradition, featuring a variety of fancy cut diamonds highlighted by commanding emerald centre stones |
Vivid blues, dazzling reds, rich greens and other hues are bright treats for the eye, which is why coloured stone jewellery has been sought after down through the ages. When these stones are combined with diamonds, as is typically the case, the effect is truly breathtaking.
Sapphires reign as the current kings of coloured stones at Hong Kong Universal Jewellery Ltd, a venerable firm which has been in business since 1949. "Sapphires are more popular than rubies and emeralds because they come in different colours and cost less," says manager Kevin Lee.
While blue is the most preferred colour, the company finds growing interest in pink, yellow, green and padparadscha (pinkish-orange) colours. "We make jewellery using one sapphire colour and we have a rainbow set-earrings, necklace, bracelet and rings-with several colours," Lee adds. Customers may buy by the piece or the set.
Hong Kong Universal exports to the US, Japan, Europe and the Middle East. Depending on the market, pieces may contain large centre stones or many smaller stones. "We're known for big stones of up to 20 carats for jewellery worn on special occasions, but with smaller stones the design is the main seller," he explains. Hong Kong Universal's coloured stones are always accented by diamonds and set in 18K white gold or 950 platinum.
The most saleable price range is below US$2,000 per piece, although a special occasion necklace can cost as much as US$400,000. Seventy per cent of its jewellery is handmade and 30% cast, with production running at an average of 20 pieces per model per month. "One high-end set can take three or four workers two months to make," Lee says. Minimum order amounts are negotiable, with deliveries sent four weeks after order confirmation.
Noble Jewelry Ltd, meanwhile, emphasises simple, elegant coloured stone jewellery styles that meet commercial demands. "We produce pieces with big centre stones and also daytime jewellery that's not too fancy and uses lots of smaller stones," explains marketing executive Winnie Ku.
Although diamond jewellery is the firm's main source of business, jewellery with sapphires, emeralds and rubies accented with diamonds are steady sellers. "We don't keep stocks of coloured stone jewellery. We make pieces only by customer request," Ku adds.
No minimum order amount applies. Deliveries are made seven days after order confirmation for rings, with 14 days for bracelets and pendants and 21 days for necklaces. Noble produces about 10,000 pieces of jewellery per month in 18K white or yellow gold, 950 platinum and sterling silver for export to the US, Japan, the Middle East and Europe. Prices range from US$300-3,000 per piece FOB Hong Kong.
The ISO 9001-certified company has also incorporated the 14001 environmental management system at its factory in Panyu on the Chinese mainland and is one of the few jewellery companies in Hong Kong equipped with Oracle's Enterprise Resources Planning System for efficient document handling. Noble Jewelry also expects to introduce a B2B website this June.
Baby blue sapphires are a favourite at Polaris Jewellery Mfr Ltd, with lighter colour sapphires from Africa proving to be a popular alternative to the traditionally richer blue sapphire hues. "We have been selling them for a few years," says Mandy Au, assistant to the company's managing director, "but we have darker blues too."
Pink or yellow sapphires are available as are emeralds, rubies and a wide variety of other coloured stones such as citrine, amethyst, blue topaz and pearls. About 60% of the 25,000 pieces of jewellery in 8-18K gold that the company manufactures each month at its factory in Panyu feature coloured stones.
Design wise, Polaris Jewellery concentrates mainly on pieces that can be worn at work or during the day, but some pieces can do double duty for special nights out. The company follows US preferences for smaller stones and a bigger look. "We consider our jewellery to be fashion-oriented and trendy," Au adds. Besides the US, the company exports to Europe, Asia and Canada. Prices are typically below US$300 FOB Hong Kong per piece, although necklaces and brooches can go up to about US$500. Minimum order requirement is five pieces per style, with goods shipped 3-4 weeks after order confirmation.
Splendid Jewelry Mfr Ltd expects pink, blue and yellow sapphires to be popular this year. The six-year-old company's major export markets are the US, Europe and Hong Kong. "The market demand is for lighter, more colourful stones," says sales representative Allun Ng.
Dressy, contemporary designs in 9-18K gold settings are aimed at consumers who range in age from 30-40 years. "We use round and princess cuts for our sapphires and use about 20-30 stones per piece. Blue sapphires are usually less than one carat in size (4x6mm or 5x7mm) and for pink and yellow we use 2mm round sizes," adds Ng.
The 5,000-10,000 pieces the six-year-old company produces each month are manufactured and cast at the company's factory in Guangdong Province. Prices range from US$250-300 per piece FOB Hong Kong, with no minimum order required. Splendid Jewelry delivers 4-6 weeks after order confirmation.
WRITTEN BY ANDREA PAWLYNA
Contact Details
Hong Kong Universal Jewellery Ltd
4/F
Lyndhurst Bldg
25-41 Lyndhurst Terrace
Central
Hong Kong
Tel: 852-2541-3004
Fax: 852-2541-5026
Email: hkujltd@netivgator.com
Myer Jewelry Mfr Ltd
Flat C, G/F, Phase 1
Kaiser Estate
41 Man Yue St
Hung Hom, Kowloon
Hong Kong
Tel: 852-2773-0773
Fax: 852-2773-1773
Email: info@myer.com.hk
Noble Jewelry Ltd
Units 306-307
Lippo Sun Plaza
28 Canton Rd
Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon
Hong Kong
Tel: 852-2722-1132
Fax: 852-2369-1412
Email: winnie.ku@noble.com.hk
Polaris Jewellery Mfr Ltd
Units 23-24, 3/F, Blk B
Focal Ind Centre
21 Man Lok St
Hung Hom, Kowloon
Hong Kong
Tel: 852-2363-8360
Fax: 852-2363-2776
Email: penny@polarisjew.com
Ritone Jewelry Ltd
Units 31-32, 1/F, Blk B
Focal Ind Centre
21 Man Lok St
Hung Hom, Kowloon
Hong Kong
Tel: 852-2363-3733
Fax: 852-2362-2226
Email: admin@ritone-jewelry.com
Splendid Jewelry Mfr Ltd
Rm 1406
Hang Seng Bldg
18 Carnarvon Rd
Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon
Hong Kong
Tel: 852-2721-2108
Fax: 852-2722-6556
Email: splendid@splendidjewelry.com
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