In 1948, three years after the end of the Japanese Occupation and a full seventeen years before Singapore became an independent nation, a young goldsmith named Chng Tok Ngam opened a modest jewellery shop in Singapore. Seventy-seven years and three generations later, that shop has become Poh Heng Jewellery, one of Singapore's most established names in fine gold and diamond jewellery. This is the story of how a single workshop became a multi-store brand, what has remained constant across nearly eight decades, and why heritage matters in the world of jewellery.
A Singapore Story That Predates Independence
Singapore in 1948 was a colony rebuilding itself. The British had returned. Trade was beginning to flow again through the port. Families who had survived the war years were starting over, often with little more than skills and a willingness to work.
Chng Tok Ngam was a goldsmith by trade. He had learned the craft in the traditional way, through apprenticeship and patient hours at the workbench. When he opened his first shop in Singapore, he made every piece by hand. The customer base in those early years was small, mostly local families bringing in gold from older pieces to be melted down and reworked into something new. The work was intimate. A family might bring in a deceased relative's jewellery and watch as it was transformed into a wedding piece for the next generation.
This is the foundation Poh Heng is built on: the belief that fine jewellery is not just an object but a vessel for family memory, and that the goldsmith's job is to honour that responsibility through craft.
Three Generations of the Chng Family
What distinguishes Poh Heng from most jewellery brands in Singapore is not size or product range. It is continuity. The same family that opened the original shop in 1948 still runs the business today, in the third generation.
Each generation has carried the business forward while preserving what made it distinctive in the first place.
The first generation built the foundation: the craft, the customer relationships, the practical knowledge of how to work gold across the wide range of purities, designs and traditions that Singapore's multicultural population demanded. From Teochew Si Dian Jin to Cantonese wedding sets to Indian gold jewellery for Deepavali, the original Poh Heng workshop served them all.
The second generation expanded the business while preserving the standards. New stores opened. The product range broadened to include diamonds and contemporary designs. International suppliers were vetted carefully, with the same craft-driven scrutiny that the first generation had applied to raw gold. Quality systems were formalised. GIA training became standard for consultants. The Singapore Assay Office hallmark became central to the brand's quality promise.
The third generation is now leading Poh Heng into a digital era while maintaining the values that built the business. Online inventory, contemporary marketing, modern membership systems and digital experiences are layered onto a foundation of physical craft. The challenge for this generation has been clear: keep the brand recognisable to customers who have been shopping with Poh Heng for fifty years, while making it accessible to the next generation who will shop with it for the next fifty.
What Has Stayed the Same Across 77 Years
A few principles have remained constant since 1948.
The irreplaceable human touch in jewellery craft. Across every generation of the Chng family, the conviction has held that the most meaningful jewellery cannot be replaced by machines. The artisan's hand still matters. The consultant's eye still matters. The way a stone is set, a chain is finished, or a piece is repaired draws on craft knowledge that does not transfer through mass production.
The Singapore Assay Office (SAO) hallmark as a quality standard. Poh Heng products are hallmarked by the Singapore Assay Office to ensure the gold fineness meets Singapore's strict standards under Singapore Standard SS581:2020. This commitment to certified purity has been a foundation principle since the early days.
The lifetime buy-back guarantee on gold. From the earliest years, Poh Heng has offered to buy back any gold piece purchased from us at current market rates. This is not a marketing offer; it is a structural commitment to the idea that jewellery should be liquid wealth, not a sunk cost.
The Quality Jewellers of Singapore membership. Poh Heng's membership in QJS represents a commitment to industry standards that goes beyond legal minimums. It is a signal to customers that the brand has chosen to be accountable to peer review.
GIA-trained consultants. Every Poh Heng consultant who works on diamond purchases is trained to GIA standards. This was not always industry-standard practice; Poh Heng adopted it early and made it a non-negotiable part of how diamonds are sold.
The Collections That Define the Modern Poh Heng
The brand today is organised around several signature collections, each carrying forward a different aspect of the heritage.
Poh Heng Trust® is the diamond collection: GIA-certified solitaires designed for engagement, milestone gifting and self-purchase. Every Trust® diamond is independently graded with full 4Cs documentation. The collection represents the modern application of the brand's quality standards to the diamond category.
Poh Heng Legacy crafted meticulously with absolute precision, Poh Heng Legacy® is replete with luxury, boasting heirlooms that pay homage to the high artistry of Peranakan designs. Each piece is a testament to the brand's unwavering commitment to quality and craftsmanship, serving as a vivid rendition of culturally-rich motifs and intricate designs that are deeply ingrained within the Peranakan's rich tapestry of mores, customs, and conventions.
Poh Heng Si Dian Jin and Si Dian Zuan are the bridal collections: the traditional four-piece sets gifted by the groom's family to the bride, in both gold-only (Si Dian Jin) and diamond-set (Si Dian Zuan) formats. These pieces continue a Singapore wedding tradition that has been part of the brand's offering for decades.
Poh Heng Cherish® is the wedding band collection: matched pairs in gold and 18K, with and without diamond accents, designed to be worn every day for the rest of a couple's life together.
Poh Heng ORO22® is the brand's premium 22K gold line, representing the highest expression of the brand's traditional gold craftsmanship.
Beyond these signature lines, Poh Heng's 22K gold collection, 24K gold collection, 18K gold collection, gold bars and medallions, pearls, and coloured gems cover the full range of fine jewellery for daily wear, gifting, and investment.
Why Heritage Matters in Jewellery
Heritage is not nostalgia. In a category like fine jewellery, where a single purchase may last a lifetime and pass to the next generation, the longevity of the seller matters as much as the longevity of the piece.
A few practical reasons heritage carries weight in jewellery:
A jeweller's buy-back guarantee is only as good as the jeweller's continued existence. Buying a piece from a shop that may not be there in twenty years means the guarantee is theoretical. Buying from a brand with 77 years of continuous operation means the guarantee is structural.
Heritage brands build institutional knowledge over decades. The accumulated craft expertise of a brand that has been working with gold across multiple market cycles, regional preferences, and technological shifts is meaningfully different from a younger competitor's expertise.
Family continuity creates accountability. A family business where the third generation is still actively involved has different incentives than a private-equity-backed retail chain. Decisions get made on longer timeframes. Customer relationships get treated as multi-decade rather than single-transaction.
Trust is earned across generations, not built through marketing. A Singapore family who bought their first Si Dian Jin from Poh Heng in the 1970s, then bought their daughter's Si Dian Jin in the 1990s, and is now bringing their granddaughter to look at engagement rings has tested the brand across decades. That kind of validation cannot be manufactured.
The Singapore That Poh Heng Has Grown With
The Singapore of 1948 and the Singapore of 2026 are radically different countries. The brand has grown through every major transition.
Through independence in 1965, when Singapore became a nation in its own right. Through the industrial era of the 1970s and 1980s, when manufacturing transformed the economy. Through the financial services boom of the 1990s and 2000s, when Singapore became one of Asia's wealth centres. Through the digital era of the 2010s and 2020s, when shopping moved online and customer expectations transformed.
Across every transition, Poh Heng has remained a fixture in Singapore's jewellery landscape. The reason is not that the brand has resisted change. It is that the brand has changed thoughtfully, preserving what mattered while updating what needed to evolve.
Visit Poh Heng
The story of Poh Heng is not just about the past. It is a living story, continuing in every new piece we make, every new customer we serve, and every new generation that brings their families through our doors.
Whether you are looking for your first piece of fine jewellery, planning a wedding, marking a milestone anniversary, or beginning a long-term relationship with a Singapore jewellery brand that will support your purchase for decades to come, we invite you to visit.
Discover Extraordinary Bridal and Heritage Jewellery
Marking life’s most significant chapters requires exceptional craftsmanship. Start by exploring the brilliant Poh Heng Trust® diamond collection for ethically sourced stones, or browse the Peranakan-inspired motifs within the Poh Heng Legacy collection. For couples preparing for marriage, view the exquisite Poh Heng Si Dian Jin and Si Dian Zuan collections to select traditional bridal sets with a stunning modern edge.
To experience the true luster and fire of these pieces in person, find your nearest Poh Heng jewellery boutique in Singapore for a personalized consultation. Before finalizing your choice, remember to join the Poh Heng membership programme to instantly unlock exclusive rewards and lifetime privileges.
F.FAQ
What is Poh Heng Jewellery?
Poh Heng Jewellery is a Singapore-based fine jewellery brand founded in 1948 by Mr. Chng Tok Ngam. The brand specialises in gold, diamond and gemstone jewellery, including the Trust® diamond collection, Si Dian Jin and Si Dian Zuan bridal sets, Cherish® wedding bands, Legacy heritage gold pieces, and ORO22® premium 22K gold. Poh Heng products are hallmarked by the Singapore Assay Office under SS581:2020 and backed by a lifetime buy-back guarantee on gold pieces.
Who owns Poh Heng Jewellery?
Poh Heng is family-owned, now in its third generation of the Chng family since founder Mr. Chng Tok Ngam established the business in 1948. The brand has remained continuously family-operated for over 77 years.
How old is Poh Heng Jewellery?
Poh Heng was founded in 1948, making it over 77 years old as of 2026. The brand is one of Singapore's most established jewellery names, predating Singapore's independence in 1965.
Where are Poh Heng stores located in Singapore?
Poh Heng operates multiple stores across Singapore. For current store locations, opening hours and contact details, visit the Poh Heng store locator at pohheng.com.sg/pages/store-locator.
Is Poh Heng a good jewellery shop in Singapore?
Poh Heng is one of Singapore's longest-established jewellery brands, with 77 years of continuous family operation since 1948. The brand carries Singapore Assay Office hallmarking under SS581:2020, GIA-certified diamonds in the Trust® collection, a lifetime buy-back guarantee on gold pieces, GIA-trained consultants, and membership in Quality Jewellers of Singapore. These standards reflect long-term commitment to quality and customer care.
What is the oldest jewellery shop in Singapore?
Poh Heng, founded in 1948, is one of Singapore's oldest continuously operating jewellery shops. Several other Singapore jewellery brands have similar historical roots, but Poh Heng's 77-year continuous family ownership and operation place it among the most established.
What collections does Poh Heng offer?
Poh Heng's signature collections include Poh Heng Trust® (diamonds), Poh Heng Legacy (heritage gold), Poh Heng Si Dian Jin and Si Dian Zuan (bridal sets), Poh Heng Cherish® (wedding bands), ORO22® (premium 22K gold), plus broader collections in 22K, 24K and 18K gold, gold bars and medallions, pearls, ruby, sapphire and coloured gems.
Does Poh Heng buy back gold?
Yes. Poh Heng provides a lifetime buy-back guarantee on all gold pieces purchased from us. The buy-back price follows the current gold market rate, making your jewellery a flexible asset rather than a sunk purchase.
Does Poh Heng offer a membership programme?
Yes. Poh Heng members receive 10% off fixed-price items and workmanship fees year-round. Sign up at the Poh Heng membership page at pohheng.com.sg/pages/poh-heng-loyalty.