Among all the wedding preparations a bride takes on, buying betrothal jewellery can be one of the most challenging yet important processes.
Betrothal jewellery forms part of the betrothal gifts a groom presents to the bride’s family during Guo Da Li 过大礼 – an important occasion for the groom to officially asks the bride’s parents for their daughter’s hand in marriage.
What this set of jewellery comprises differs depending on your dialect group. In Singapore, most Chinese families have adopted Si Dian Jin 四点金 as the standard set of betrothal jewellery to be given and received. There are of course exceptions to this, for instance, Cantonese families may choose to have the Dragon and Phoenix bangles 龙凤镯 instead of a set of jewellery. It is therefore important for both sides of the family to communicate in advance and set the right expectations.
What is Si Dian Jin 四点金 and the Dragon and Phoenix bangle 龙凤镯?
Literally translated to “4 touches of gold”, Si Dian Jin 四点金 traditionally refers to a set of yellow gold betrothal jewellery consisting of a necklace, a bracelet, a ring and a pair of earrings. Modern options available today have moved from the traditional yellow gold to sets of jewellery in jade, diamonds or platinum and silver. What families may be cautious of is getting jewellery made from ‘white gold’ as the translated term in Chinese is not welcoming for traditional families.
Dragon and Phoenix bangle 龙凤镯 is a gold bangle with Dragon and Phoenix designs. The more concentrated the gold is in the bangle, the more malleable the bangle is, and the more care is needed to make sure the bangle stays in shape.
Who should purchase the betrothal jewellery?
Given that this is a gift from the groom’s family to the bride, Si Dian Jin 四点金 is usually purchased by the groom’s mum or family. The bride can be involved as well especially when the groom’s family prefers for the bride to choose the jewellery. After all, it is a gift for her to wear.
Dragon and Phoenix bangles 龙凤镯 are also purchased by the groom’s family. For Cantonese families, it is also common for the relatives involved in tea ceremony to purchase gold bangles to gift to the bride instead of red packets.
When do you shop for and when do you wear the Si Dian Jin 四点金?
We recommend families to make the purchase of Si Dian Jin 四点金 after the bride has confirmed the traditional attire which the jewellery will be matched with. This means that whether the Si Dian Jin 四点金 is worn to match a cheongsam, kua or an evening dress, it’ll be helpful to have this attire in mind before shopping for the jewellery.
The Si Dian Jin 四点金 is most commonly worn by the bride during the tea ceremony.
Where to find Si Dian Jin 四点金?
To save you time, we have put together a list of what is available in Singapore. They have been broadly categorised into ‘Traditional’ and ‘Modern’ options even though most of these places offer a mix of modern-traditional designs. Happy shopping!
Traditional (Yellow Gold)
Modern
Chow Tai Fook
Founded in 1929, the Group’s iconic brand “CHOW TAI FOOK” is widely recognised for its trustworthiness and authenticity, and is renowned for its product design, quality and value. A long-standing commitment to innovation and craftsmanship has contributed to the Group’s success, along with that of its iconic retail brand, and has been embodied in its rich heritage.
Chow Tai Fook Jewellery Group Limited (the “Group”; SEHK stock code: 1929) was listed on the Main Board of The Stock Exchange of Hong Kong in December 2011. The Group’s vision is to become the most trusted jewellery group in the world.
Goldheart Jewelry
Goldheart reintroduced 916 Gold in contemporary designs, which are valued for their quality and admired for the sophisticated European craftsmanship, that reflects the confidence, grace and beauty of the modern woman today.
Goldheart is also the exclusive distributor of Celestial® diamond, the world’s first 73-facet starburst diamond that scintillates with the supreme luminosity of the brightest star.
On Cheong
Established since 1936, On Cheong Jewellery has grown to become one of Singapore’s esteemed jewellery retailers. Emphasising quality, unique designs and dedicated customer relationships, On Cheong has earned its trust and loyalty from a wide stream of customers and is the first SQC (Singapore Quality Class with People and Service Excellence) certified jeweller in Singapore.
Orient Jewellers
Orient Jewellers offers ready-made jewellery inspired by each occasion. One of their specialities is Si Dian Jin 四点金, heirloom pieces for a bride who wishes for contemporary gold designs that retain their investment value for generations.
Poh Heng Jewellery
Poh Heng launches three new and exclusive designs to their Si Dian Jin collection, crafted in exquisite 22K gold. Reaffirming its core values, the new bridal collection that pairs tradition with a modern twist, captures the evolution and true essence of each special moment.
The sets depict traditional Chinese marital motifs. Century of Love, 百年好合 signifies a harmonious marriage with a long and happy life together; Love Blossoming, 花好月圆 symbolises perfect conjugal bliss and happiness; and Lineage of Prosperity, 开枝散叶 represents a fruitful future in welcoming a prosperous expansion to the family tree with a modern twist.
The latest Si Dian Jin designs are now available at all Poh Heng boutiques, as well as on their online store.
SK Jewellery
SK Jewellery offers an extensive range of fashionable jewellery and mementoes for a wider demographic. This includes SK Jewellery’s innovative Dancing Star and Star Carat collections as well as the SK 999 Pure Gold collection, featuring bridal jewellery, sculpted art pieces, commemorative gold bars and coins. With the successful introduction of 999 pure gold in the local market, the brand developed another concept – SK Gold, offering modern 916 gold jewellery.
Carat55
As a second-generation jeweller, Zoie’s passion for jewellery started at a tender age of 7, when she would tag alongside her mother to visit jewellery factories and forge close bonds with the craftsmen there. Since then, she’s grown to love the precious gemstones crafted, and hopes to spread this love to those around her. It all started when she was shopping for her own Si Dian Jin (四点金) for her wedding, and couldn’t find designs that suited her daily wardrobe. As a young woman who’s always on the go, Zoie was on the hunt for wedding jewellery that was modern, versatile and comfortable.
Every piece of jewellery is crafted to be worn and loved. Rooted in this belief, Zoie is on a mission to bring Carat 55 to greater heights, one precious jewellery at a time.
Carrie K.
Each Carrie K. Si Dian Jin 四点金 design conveys stories from our Asian heritage. A meaningful reminder of our culture to be passed down, so our heritage stories continue to be told from generation to generation.
Modern brides are opting for alternatives to traditional yellow gold jewellery, featuring gems like diamonds, pearls and Jade Si Dian Jin in rose or white gold, modern heirlooms to be enjoyed long after the wedding.
Tradition with a modern twist, our versatile Si Dian Jin jewellery is designed to be styled up for your special day and styled down for your every day after.
Gen. K Jewelry
More than glamorous, the jewels of Gen.K Jewelry are timeless objects imbued with a story and soul. Whether you are celebrating a love of any kind, honouring your dearest or signifying a personal milestone, Gen.K Jewelry’s collections are rooted in the many special moments you live — a true embodiment of modern heirlooms that will journey with you on your own adventures.
Lee Hwa Jewellery
Lee Hwa Jewellery designs jewellery for the most heartfelt and precious moments in life – keepsakes to love, wear and treasure forever.
Behind each piece of jewellery is a story of passion, joy, quality and trust – values that Lee Hwa Jewellery embraced since opening our first boutique in 1970 and becoming the first local jewellery brand to be publicly listed in 1999.
Michael Trio
Michael Trio sticks to the tradition of having a 4-piece set mainly in full white gold or rose gold, as each piece represents the embodiment of the promise of providence from husband to wife, sharing and providing a roof over her and the family.
State Property
State Property is an award-winning contemporary fine jewellery label rooted in Singapore. Founded by a jeweller and an industrial designer, the label navigates the cusp of art and design, fusing contemporary approaches to design with traditional craftsmanship.
Traditions are valued at State Property. And through their Bespoke Si Dian Jin service, they offer a balance of both tradition and currency, resulting in wearable pieces imbued with meaning.
Are we missing a jeweller? Write to us at hello@thewedmag.com. If you would like to explore more options, check out our directory for Jewellery & Accessories!
