Hong Kong Tatler, BEJEWELLED HISTORY

ALL THE BIG NAMES IN JEWELLERY ARE TO BE FOUND IN HONG KONG, BUT WHEN IT COMES TO HOME-GROWN BRANDS, KS SZE IS AMONG THE MOST EMINENT

For over 70 years, the name KS Sze has enjoyed a glittering preeminence whenever fine jewellery is mentioned, and no wonder. Their meticulous dedication and insistence on superlative quality have seen the firm serve four generations of many prominent Hong Kong families. For its founder, KS Sze, this was the culmination of a long-held dream.

Beginning his career as a jeweller's apprentice in Shanghai, Sze became a broker in raw stones and uncut gems while in his twenties. He moved to Hong Kong in 1949 and opened up a two-storey boutique in Central Building. There his business grew and his reputation for offering merchandise of the highest quality developed. Hearing of his background and integrity, the Mandarin Hotel offered one of its seven original retail spaces to Sze when it opened in 1963. He became the only jeweller in the hotel's prestigious arcade, where the store remains to this day.

Sze passed away in 1997 at the age of 90, but his legacy and spirit are carried. on by his son ND Sze, and daughter Stephanie Sze as well as the many loyal staff such as Rhonda, Elsa, Irene and others who have been with the store for years. The store's reputation is above all built on word of mouth, relying on the quality of its service rather than marketing. For this reason, Hong Kong's elite have made AS Sze their jeweller of choice, with many forming long-lasting relationships with the brand and its consultants, who put the long term interests of clients above the chance of a quick sale. Indeed, such is the status of the store among Hong Kong's A-list, a good number of the great and the good can be seen there at any one time, treating it as a meeting place. As you would expect, the international glitterati, from statesmen to Hollywood celebrities, have also come to hear of KS Sze, but client lists are a closely guarded secret.

At KS Sze, the accent is on customisation, particularly of high quality, feminine jewellery for daily wear. The store takes pride in suggesting and creating designs according to a customer's ideas, and while they nod to contemporary fashions, the pieces here are, above all, timeless. "We believe that jewellery is not just an investment but also a display of one's personality and taste," says Stephanie. "Choosing jewellery is both a fun and serious business.”

KS Sze maintains a diverse inventory of jewellery, from classic designs to unique pieces, to unset gemstones. Within its selection are pearls, diamonds, jade and other precious gems, each selected carefully by experienced jewellers to ensure quality and fair value to customers. The firm also has its own manufacturing facilities for customers that require something more personal or know exactly what they want from their jewellery. KS Sze participates in a strong worldwide network of wholesalers from Japan, Burma, Colombia as well as other markets, and maintains business arrangements with other major international jewellers.

It's a dedication that will take the name of KS Sze through the next 70 years and beyond. "We see many opportunities ahead," says ND Building on our firm foundation, we will continue to seek out and synchronize the elements of internationalism and those of Chinese culture in our products and services." If KS Sze's past is anything to go by, the way ahead looks glittering indeed.

2004 March

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