Our Story

Emily Tan

A passion for design runs deep in Emily Tan I Fern, founder and creative lead of fine bespoke jeweller Calla Lily. Emily, who was born in Penang but moved to Singapore as a child, attained her degree from the London College of Fashion and is a graduate gemologist of the Gemological Institute of America (GIA). After getting a start in bespoke shoes and costume jewellery, she was driven by a desire to create pieces that last, and found her place in fine bespoke jewellery. She has honed her skills with some of the most respected artisans in the trade, and worked with Jimmy Choo Couture in London, Marni in Milan, and Kara Ross in New York before making her entrance onto Singapore’s fine bespoke jewellery scene in 2011. Calla Lily is her first independent brand. Emily’s classic, feminine, yet whimsical designs have helped her stand out among local jewellery designers, and she is known for her warmth, attention to detail and deep knowledge of coloured gemstones. In her customised jewellery creations, she draws inspiration from everything around her – the stories of the people she meets and designs for, the stones that make up her palette, and the artisanal flair of the Tiong Bahru area where her studio is located.

“People’s ideas, people’s stories, people’s experiences, they all inspire me. What I am looking for is your heart’s desire.”
– Emily Tan, Founder & Lead Jewellery Designer

The Calla Lily Experience

At Calla Lily, every bespoke jewellery piece starts with a conversation with our jewellery designers. No idea is too outlandish, no detail too insignificant, and no occasion too small to mark.

Our starting point is the story you want to tell with your unique handcrafted piece. If you’re new to coloured gems, we’ll take you through the various options to find what speaks to you. Once you’ve found the perfect gemstone to capture your sentiments, we’ll share initial ideas and decide on the best setting to accentuate it. If you already have a specific coloured gemstone in mind, we’re happy to help you track it down.

We’re known for our distinctively playful design signature – our designs can be made modular, so you can adapt your piece to various occasions, or combine it with other pieces to create new looks. Our ready-to-wear collection lends itself to even more creativity, since pieces can also be combined with our custom-made jewellery for a refreshing change.

Many of our clients also turn to us when they want to repurpose a family heirloom or reimagine an old piece. They trust us to preserve the sanctity of each piece while breathing new life into them.

At Calla Lily, the bespoke experience is both enjoyable and comfortable, and as delightful as making a new friend.

Symbolic start

The trumpet-shaped calla lily is a symbol of rebirth and change, and borrows its name from the Greek word for most beautiful – calla. It is the perfect symbol to signify the start of a new and independent journey for founder, Emily Tan, and also the beginning of the many stories that she will tell through precious stones and bespoke jewellery.

Come into our studio

When we went looking for a studio in 2018, we wanted a space that not only spoke to our craft, but would inspire our clients, especially since we spend a lot of time with them. That guided the design of our studio, brought to life at the end of 2018 with the help of homegrown interior design and branding house Parable Studio.

The ground floor-unit on Eng Hoon Street has the feel of an elegant yet comfortable home, with creative touches to inspire, and modular spaces for privacy. For most of the day, it is also flooded with natural light, which brings out the best in our coloured gemstones.

The combination of history and heritage, artisanal flair, and the modern, cosmopolitan culture of Tiong Bahru forms the perfect backdrop for Calla Lily’s creations.

Studio consultations, which run from 10.30 am to 6.30 pm, Mondays to Saturdays, are by appointment only. Please click here, or call +65 67810260 or email sparkle@callalily.sg to book a slot.