The Legacy® Fan Series is built around four gemstones, each chosen for its cultural resonance, its visual partnership with the fan motif, and its place in the broader Peranakan jewellery tradition. This guide covers each stone in turn: where it comes from, what it means, what to look for when buying a piece, and how to care for it over the long term.
Each stone in the Legacy® Fan Series is set in 18K gold, the purity standard for fine gem-set jewellery, and each piece is hallmarked by the Singapore Assay Office under Singapore Standard SS581:2020.
Lapis Lazuli
Lapis lazuli is one of the oldest decorative stones in human history, prized for over six thousand years for the deep, almost otherworldly blue that gives the stone its name.
Origin and material. Lapis lazuli is a metamorphic rock composed mainly of lazurite, with small inclusions of pyrite (which appear as the gold flecks in fine specimens) and white calcite. The highest-quality lapis has historically come from Afghanistan, where it has been mined since antiquity. Stones from these deposits have appeared in Egyptian funerary objects, Chinese imperial decoration, Persian palaces, and European royal jewellery.
Cultural meaning. Lapis lazuli has been associated with refinement, scholarship, and spiritual wisdom across multiple cultures. In Chinese tradition, the stone appeared in scholar's objects and imperial ceremony. In Egyptian tradition, it was associated with the night sky and divine power. In modern fine jewellery, lapis carries the weight of all these meanings while functioning as a distinctive contemporary statement stone.
What to look for. Quality in lapis lazuli is judged primarily on colour: the deepest, most saturated blue with a velvety quality is the most valued. Small flecks of pyrite are desirable in moderation, adding a starlike quality. Excessive white calcite veining reduces quality. In gem-set pieces, the stone should be cleanly cut, with a smooth surface and no visible cracks.
Care. Lapis lazuli is softer than many other gemstones (Mohs 5 to 6) and requires gentle care. Avoid impact, abrasion, and contact with chemicals including perfume and household cleaners. Clean only with a soft, dry cloth or, for more thorough cleaning, return the piece to a reputable jeweller. Store separately from harder stones.
The Legacy® Fan Series Lapis Lazuli pieces are set in 18K gold and available at the Legacy® collection page.
Golden South Sea Pearl
The Golden South Sea pearl is one of the most distinctive and most valuable pearls in the world, and it sits at the centre of the most signature pieces in the Legacy® Fan Series.
Origin and material. Golden South Sea pearls are produced by the gold-lipped variety of the Pinctada maxima oyster, farmed primarily in the warm waters around the Philippines, Indonesia, and Australia. The Legacy® Fan Series uses Japanese-cultured Golden South Sea pearls in the 9 to 10 millimetre range, prized for their colour, lustre, and surface quality. South Sea pearls grow more slowly than other cultured pearls, producing thicker nacre and the deep, lasting lustre that distinguishes them.
Cultural meaning. Pearls have been part of fine jewellery for over two thousand years and have particular resonance in Asian culture as symbols of purity, wisdom, and feminine grace. In the Peranakan tradition, pearls have appeared in heritage pieces for generations and feature prominently in bridal and ceremonial jewellery. The Golden South Sea pearl is also the modern birthstone for June and the traditional anniversary stone for thirty years of marriage.
What to look for. Quality in Golden South Sea pearls is judged on five factors: lustre (the depth and sharpness of light reflection), colour (the richness and saturation of the gold tone), size (larger is rarer and more valuable), surface (smoother is better), and shape (perfectly round is rarest). The Legacy® Fan Series pearls are selected for high lustre and clean surface, with the natural gold tone that gives the stones their name.
Care. Pearls are delicate (Mohs 2.5 to 4.5) and require careful handling. Apply perfume, lotion, and hair products before putting pearls on. Wipe pearls gently with a soft cloth after each wear. Avoid contact with chemicals, including chlorinated water. Store pearls separately from other jewellery, ideally in a soft pouch, and avoid prolonged exposure to dry environments which can cause the nacre to crack.
The Legacy® Fan Series Golden South Sea pearl pieces include pendant, earrings, and ring options, all set in 18K gold and available at the Legacy® collection page. Browse the full Poh Heng pearl collection for more.
Yellow Sapphire
Yellow sapphire is a stone gaining significant momentum in modern Singapore fine jewellery, both for its colour and its cultural associations.
Origin and material. Yellow sapphire is the yellow-coloured variety of corundum, the same gem family as ruby and blue sapphire. The colour comes from trace iron in the crystal structure. Quality stones are mined primarily in Sri Lanka, Madagascar, and Thailand. Sapphire as a stone family ranks 9 on the Mohs scale, second only to diamond in hardness, which makes it exceptionally well-suited to gem-set jewellery designed for daily wear.
Cultural meaning. In Vedic astrology, yellow sapphire is associated with the planet Jupiter and considered one of the most auspicious of all gemstones, associated with prosperity, knowledge, and wisdom. The stone has particular weight in Indian-Singaporean and broader South Asian cultural tradition. In Chinese culture, the warm yellow tone aligns with the symbolic associations of gold itself, making yellow sapphire a natural complement to gold jewellery.
What to look for. Quality in yellow sapphire is judged on colour saturation (a rich, even yellow is most valued), clarity (eye-clean stones with no visible inclusions are preferred), cut (precision and brilliance), and size. Heat treatment is common in the industry and acceptable when disclosed; unheated stones command premium pricing. Stones from Sri Lanka are particularly prized for their colour and clarity.
Care. Yellow sapphire is exceptionally durable, with a hardness of 9 on the Mohs scale, but should still be handled carefully. Avoid impact that could chip the stone, particularly at culet or pavilion points. Clean with warm water, mild soap, and a soft brush, then rinse and dry thoroughly. Sapphires can also be safely cleaned in ultrasonic cleaners by professional jewellers.
The Legacy® Fan Series Yellow Sapphire pieces are set in 18K yellow and white gold combinations. Browse the full Poh Heng coloured gems collection for further sapphire options.
Mother of Pearl
Mother of pearl is one of the oldest decorative materials in human use and has a particular place in the Peranakan tradition through both jewellery and decorative arts.
Origin and material. Mother of pearl is the iridescent inner layer of certain mollusc shells, the same nacre that forms pearls themselves. Quality material is harvested primarily from the Pinctada maxima oyster (the South Sea pearl oyster) and from various abalone species. The white-tone mother of pearl used in the Legacy® Fan Series comes from carefully selected South Sea oyster shells.
Cultural meaning. Mother of pearl has been used in jewellery, furniture inlay, and decorative arts across Asia for centuries. In the Peranakan tradition, mother of pearl inlay appears in heritage furniture, screens, and decorative objects, often paired with hardwoods and gilt detailing. As a jewellery material, mother of pearl carries soft, luminous wearability and a direct connection to the broader Peranakan decorative tradition.
What to look for. Quality in mother of pearl is judged on the brightness and consistency of the iridescent surface, the thickness and integrity of the material, and the cleanliness of the cut. The best pieces show a smooth, even surface with a play of light across the colour. Look for pieces where the material has been carefully selected for surface quality rather than just shape.
Care. Mother of pearl is soft (Mohs 2.5 to 4.5) and requires gentle handling. Avoid contact with chemicals, perfume, lotion, and prolonged water exposure. Clean only with a soft, dry cloth. Store separately to avoid scratching from harder stones or metal.
The Legacy® Fan Series Mother of Pearl pieces are set in 18K rose gold, available at the Legacy® collection page.
Choosing the Right Gemstone
Each of the four hero gemstones in the Legacy® Fan Series brings something distinctive.
Lapis lazuli for those drawn to deep colour, scholarly and spiritual symbolism, and a stone with thousands of years of decorative history.
Golden South Sea pearl for those drawn to subtle, lasting elegance, modern Peranakan luxury, and a stone that doubles as a meaningful gift for June birthdays and significant anniversaries.
Yellow sapphire for those drawn to bold colour, exceptional durability for daily wear, and the auspicious associations of one of the most culturally significant stones in Asian tradition.
Mother of pearl for those drawn to soft luminosity, the Peranakan decorative tradition, and a piece that wears equally well in everyday and occasion contexts.
For piece selection and consultation, visit the Legacy® collection page or your nearest Poh Heng store.
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