The Straits Times
Oct 2012
Caratell Diamond
Mr Michael Koh (right), 42, started Caratell with his wife Achillea, 38, in 2002.
The Singaporean couple, who have three kids, met at the LaSalle College of the Arts, where they were studying jewellery design. Mr Koh’s interest in the field had been piqued in his childhood as his father spent four decades working as a goldsmith at a home-grown jewellery chain.
Mr Koh also lectures part-time on jewellery design and fabrication at the Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts.
What should one keep in mind when buying jewellery?
When buying jade, always get a certificate from a reliable and external gemologist, such as the Gemological Institute of America, or Nanyang Gemological Institute in Far East Plaza, so you know what you are buying.
Remember, Grade A jade does not necessarily mean that it is the best; it just means that the stone is natural and untreated, the most valuable jade stones also have an emerald green colour, are translucent and have few or no impurities.
What is the one piece of the jewellery you cannot do without?
A ring made of top-quality jade that is set in black gold and flanked by diamonds. I made it for myself about five years ago and I intend to pass it on to my children in future.
What is the star piece in your collection?
An intricate ring in a floral design that is crowned with an unheated 5.13-carat pink sapphire; and embellished with 2.87 carats of yellow diamonds and 3.82 carats of white diamonds (left).