flagship store is another first for a jeweller in the island republic. The story so far “Unlike many jewellers, my journey into this trade was not a path inherited nor deliberately charted. Instead, it was a series of serendipitous encounters and chance meetings that nudged me along,” Barber told Inside Retail. Barber went on to say that she has always been captivated by the art of storytelling and music which led her to a career in radio. Little did she realise, this innate love for storytelling would pave the way towards her unexpected second calling: bespoke jewellery. “As a young girl, I was enchanted by my mother’s daily ritual of sitting in front of the dresser picking out her ‘jewels of the day’. They were modest, everyday pieces – but my heart always gravitated towards those with vibrant coloured gems,” she explained. When she started accompanying her mother to the jeweller, she found herself longing for something truly bespoke – a personal touch amidst the sea of sameness.  “I suppose that planted a seed within me,” she said. “, Under the right circumstances and with a touch of destiny, what was once youthful fascination came to fruition in 2014.”  By re-imagining jewellery not merely as adornments, but as a form of personal expression, Barber hopes to elevate the product category.  “Through our bespoke creations, we hope to craft artful narratives that inspire, enthral, and infuse joy into every precious moment,” she noted. Ethical sourcing and sustainability With direct mine access and a permanent on-ground presence in Tanzania and Sri Lanka, two of the world’s major gem-producing countries, Madly Gems is able to ensure that its gemstones are ethically and responsibly sourced. Barber explained that by working directly with miners, the brand can verify the conditions of the mines, ensure fair labour practices and directly contribute to local economies.  Having its own sourcing offices in close proximity to major mining regions allows it to trace each gemstone back to its source. “We are committed to making a positive impact on the communities where we source our gemstones. This includes supporting local infrastructure, and providing employment opportunities,” she said. She said the company aims to minimise environmental impact through careful management of resources, waste reduction, and mindful consumption.  “We do not mass-produce, and our jewellery is made-to-order, meaning that materials are only used when there is specific demand. Similar to the principles of slow fashion, bespoke jewellery encourages mindful consumption,” she elaborated.  As a result, the company’s clients develop a stronger emotional connection to their custom pieces, leading to more frequent and long-lasting wear. “Not only do we specialise in the top 0.1 per cent of gemstones, cut for maximum brilliance by our lapidary masters, but we also proudly offer the widest range of top-quality coloured gems in Singapore,” Barber stressed. In order to bring only the ‘crème de la crème’ to its clients, Madly Gems invests in state-of-the-art equipment, works closely with skilled gem cutters in Tanzania, Sri Lanka, and Bangkok, and employs a team of Gemological Institute of America (GIA) graduates and trained jewellery designers. The future is bright Barber’s ambition is to become the world’s first international bespoke jewellery brand in the growing, and increasingly discerning, global luxury jewellery market, projected to achieve a CAGR of 9.57 per cent from 2023 to 2030. “With every year that goes by, my heart is warmed by the wonderful, buzzing community of #womenwhowearMADLY and, more recently, a growing number of #MADLYmen,” she added. She credits the evolution of the brand to her customers.  “It is through the diverse range of clients we have served, representing various walks of life and experiences, that we truly witness the growth of our brand,” she said. “Our clients embody the essence of empowerment, gracefully and confidently taking charge of their own destinies. May we never stop learning, growing and evolving.”