The story behind Singapore jeweller Carrie K.

A great jewellery shopping experience starts with great conversations with your jeweller, and that’s exactly what founder CAROLYN KAN has created at Carrie K.’s beautiful Neil Road atelier. The result? Unique, characterful pieces that have become treasured heirlooms for many here in Singapore and beyond. We sit down with Carolyn to hear the story behind this jewellery store in Singapore and how it all began.

Can you tell us a bit about your background and what inspired you to start your jewellery brand Carrie K.?

I was the Managing Director of an advertising agency, working long hours and chasing deadlines. During a sabbatical in Florence, I met a silversmith who taught me how to make my first ring. That was when I had an epiphany: I wanted to create jewellery that told stories and marked milestones. That’s how Carrie K. was born back in 2009 – from a spark of curiosity and a desire to turn life’s meaningful moments into wearable wishes.

Carrie K. has become known as one of Singapore’s most unique jewellers. What inspired you to create a brand that goes beyond just “beautiful jewellery”?

I never set out to make jewellery just for the sake of being pretty. After a career in advertising, I wanted to create something that held meaning. Jewellery, to me, is storytelling you can wear. Whether it’s a bespoke engagement ring or something to mark a milestone, each piece is a love letter, a wish or a milestone captured in gold – far more powerful than mere adornment.

Your atelier on Neil Road feels more like a home than a jewellery store in Singapore. Why was it important to create that kind of environment for your clients?

Shopping for jewellery can feel intimidating – glass counters, hushed voices and pressure. I wanted the opposite. Our shophouse atelier feels like a friend’s living room, where stories are shared over coffee or tea. People open up here. Some even joke it feels like couple’s therapy! That’s when the magic happens.

How do you work with clients to ensure their jewellery reflects their personal story, rather than just following trends?

We start by asking good questions and listening. Sometimes clients come in thinking they want a certain style, but through conversation, we uncover details – a shared memory, a symbol or a personal value – that become the heart of the design. Trends fade, but meaning never does.

This is especially important for milestones like engagements. When clients seek a unique engagement ring, they often don’t know what they want or what can be created. Our curiosity helps them gain clarity on what they want in their bespoke engagement ring so that they will continue to love it in the years to come.

People often look for meaningful keepsakes or heirlooms to mark their time in Singapore. How does Carrie K. help them create pieces that feel truly personal and lasting?

We love that. Many clients from overseas commission pieces inspired by their time here – whether it’s a lotus wish of harmony or the star motif for luck and kinship. The result is something unique to their Singapore chapter, but timeless enough to pass on for generations.

What does the process of creating a bespoke piece at Carrie K. look like, and how involved are clients in the journey?

It begins with a discovery session where we chat about your story, lifestyle and preferences. From there, we present sketches, gems and even resin prototypes you can try on. Clients are involved every step of the way. It’s co-creation, not just a transaction.

Your collections often reinterpret Asian heritage symbols in modern ways. How do you balance cultural storytelling with contemporary design?

Heritage is rich with wisdom, but it can feel dated if left untouched. We reimagine symbols like the Chinese knot or five blessings into modern, versatile pieces. The stories stay, but the style fits today’s confident woman – and her daughter tomorrow.

Carrie K. is an award-winning brand with great client reviews. What do you think makes people trust you with such important milestones?

Trust is everything. Clients tell us it’s the way we listen without judgment, educate them honestly and design with heart. Add award-winning craftsmanship and ethically sourced gems, and they know they’re in safe hands. We’re not just making jewellery. We’re marking milestones with joyful reminders every day after.

Many people find jewellery shopping intimidating. How do you make the experience approachable, enjoyable and even memorable at your jewellery store in Singapore?

We believe jewellery should be joyful. That’s why our atelier feels like home, not a showroom. We invite clients to explore, try things on, laugh and learn over coffee or a glass of bubbles – even attend a gem workshop if they like. It’s about connection, not sales pressure.

You often talk about “wearable wishes”. Can you share what this means, and how it influences the way you design?

Every Carrie K. piece starts with a wish – for love, harmony, prosperity or resilience. We design talismans that remind you of your dreams or values every time you wear them. They’re not just accessories. They’re daily affirmations you carry with you.

What’s next for you and Carrie K.?

We’re excited to grow our Wish Bar – a playful, modular way for clients to personalise their jewellery. Think of it as a canvas for your life’s wishes. You can mix, match and transform pieces to suit everyday wear or life’s big milestones.

What makes it truly special is the innovative engineering behind it. Our special connector mechanisms mean that a necklace can transform into a bracelet, a pearl strand into a statement choker – all seamlessly, without compromising comfort or durability. An editor described our approach as “this century’s most ingenious and liberating way to wear pearls”.

At the heart of it all is our belief in “wearable wishes”, jewellery that adapts as you do and evolves with your story. We’re especially proud to mark Singapore’s 60th birthday with the limited SG60 Code Statement Necklace, featuring modular Morse Code diamond dots and dashes that spell ONE, a tribute to unity in diversity.

Our dream is for more people in Singapore and beyond to experience the joy of wearing a piece that doesn’t just sparkle, but carries their wishes and transforms with every chapter of life.

Finally, if someone is new to jewellery shopping at Carrie K., what’s the one thing you’d love for them to experience when they step into your Neil Road atelier?

I’d love them to feel at home: welcomed, understood and inspired. And if something speaks to them, to leave with a piece that doesn’t just sparkle, but whispers their story back to them.

Carrie K. is at 77B Neil Road.
9061 2880 | carriekrocks.com | contact@carriekrocks.com

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