Muse Jewels’ Founder Dorothy Ng On Why Gemstones Should Be Part Of Your Luxury Portfolio

This month, it’s Dorothy Ng. With over a decade of experience, the designer behind Muse Jewels specialises in creating bespoke jewellery that reflects each client’s personality and style. Drawing on the brand’s decades-long heritage and in-house manufacturing expertise in Hong Kong and China, she crafts everything from one-of-a-kind commissions to entire collections for private clients. Having designed pieces for celebrities and royalty, Ng is known for translating clients’ visions into timeless heirloom jewellery.

“It’s a matter of matching the personality to the piece, and I think that’s my superpower,” she says.

The Download – Dorothy Ng, Founder of Muse Jewels

The Expert

Name: Dorothy Ng
Occupation: Founder of Muse Jewels
Headquarters: Kuala Lumpur
Speciality: Telling stories through one-of-a-kind jewellery pieces

The Big Question

With exceptional jewels achieving record prices at international auctions, how should collectors view jewellery as part of a broader luxury portfolio, and what distinguishes pieces that appreciate in value from those that simply carry a prestigious name?

Whenever the economy takes a downturn, the instinct is to hold on to gold. However, gemstones are also highly liquid. As long as you have the proper certification for an exceptional stone, you’ll find willing buyers. A gemstone is far easier to sell than real estate and, of course, much easier to store. In the long term, I believe there is significant investment potential, and people should take the time to educate themselves about gemstones.

A prestigious maison can certainly add value to a piece of jewellery, but that shouldn’t be the reason you fall in love with it. Whenever I’m evaluating a piece, I ask myself: Is the gemstone exceptional? Is the colour remarkable? Is it untreated? Does the craftsmanship elevate the stone? Will I still admire this piece decades from now? The market is becoming far more discerning, and I think that’s a healthy evolution. The finest collections are built around exceptional jewels, not just famous names.

Speed Round

Which heritage jewellery maison has the strongest long-term collectability, and what sets it apart from the rest?

I do love Cartier, and not just because it’s the first name that comes to mind. The maison has managed to evolve with the times without losing its identity for more than a century, which is extremely difficult to achieve. It has created an exceptional synergy of design, craftsmanship, provenance, and rarity. Whether it’s Tutti Frutti, Panthère, or its high jewellery collections, Cartier has produced designs that have become part of jewellery history rather than simply successful collections. Its pieces also perform strongly at auction, so Cartier truly delivers long-term value.

What’s one jewellery purchasing mistake you see people make time and time again?

Buying the brand before buying the jewel. Jewellery featuring prominent brand emblems is also typically plated and generally isn’t considered investment-worthy.

What is one gemstone you believe collectors should pay more attention to today?

There’s been tremendous excitement around spinels, Paraíba tourmalines, and other rare gemstones, all of which are beautiful in their own right. However, if we’re talking about building a collection with a long-term perspective, I still believe the Big Three, untreated Burmese rubies, Kashmir sapphires, and Colombian emeralds, remain the benchmark. They have centuries of proven demand, global recognition, and the strongest auction history. As collectors become increasingly educated, I think we’ll see an even greater distinction between commercial-quality stones and truly museum-quality examples.

What jewellery trend do you think will stand the test of time, and which one is best left behind?

Craftsmanship. Beautiful proportions, exceptional gemstones, and meticulous workmanship never go out of style. There’s a growing appreciation for understated pieces with substance over those that rely on overt branding, and I think that’s a wonderful direction. The trend I’d happily leave behind is jewellery designed purely for social media. Great jewellery isn’t meant to impress someone for five seconds; it’s meant to be worn and admired for decades.

What is one jewellery piece that you believe every woman or man should own in their lifetime?

Every woman, and some men too, should own several tennis bracelets. They’re incredibly versatile. You can stack them, wear them on their own, and they never go out of style. Plus, they can be good investments, so you can rarely go wrong with them.

Either/Or

Diamond / Coloured Gemstones
“There’s so much character in them, and they’re becoming increasingly rare, especially the Big Three.”

Mixing Metals / Matching Metals
“It unlocks endless styling options, but it’s also highly dependent on your skin tone, so choose what suits you best.”

Stackable Rings / Solitaire Ring
“It tends to hold its value better over time, and it’s a true statement piece.”

Statement Piece / Everyday Essential
“It’s wonderful to have pieces you can wear without thinking about them, pieces that feel like a second skin.”

Princess Diana’s Sapphire Ring / Elizabeth Taylor’s Krupp Diamond
“I love the story behind it, particularly how it was eventually sold to help fund the construction of a hospital in Botswana.”