Weng Cheong Goldsmith & Jewellery
Just like the historical Sri Mariamman Temple a short distance away, the Company is a prominent landmark in the heart of Chinatown
Weng Cheong is the oldest goldsmith and jewellery company in Singapore. Since opening for business in 1919, it has established itself as a trusted name that has brought so much joy and happiness to generations of loyal customers.
Our founder, Mr Peng Bai Wei, was one of 4 pioneers who initiated the setting of the Singapore Jewellers Association. Its mission was to allow friendly contacts with its members and to strive for the welfare of the members. Now it works to showcase our products to the world and advance local consumers’ lifestyle and well-being.
With this belief and commitment in mind, our Company will continue with its effort to provide exquisite design in gold, diamond, jade and other fine jewellery to our valued customers. Our goldsmith team will meticulously handcraft gold pieces as requested by our discerning customers. The Company remains committed to our vision: A Tradition of Giving Good Service and Quality since 1919.
WENG CHEONG CO. (S) PTE LTD
WENG CHEONG CO. (S) PTE LTD is one if not the oldest goldsmith and jewellery company in Singapore. It was established in 1919 and has since become a trusted name in the industry. The company operates under the name Weng Cheong Co Pte (S) Ltd and is located at 185 Toa Payoh Central, #01-328, Singapore 310185. They are known for their extensive collection of gold, diamond, and gemstone jewellery.
Weng Cheong Co. offers a wide range of jewelry options, including rings, necklaces, bracelets, earrings, and pendants. They specialize in gold jewelry and provide a variety of designs and styles to cater to different tastes and preferences. Customers can visit their physical store for in-store shopping, and the company’s contact number is +65 6223 0161.
The company prides itself on its long-standing history and reputation for quality craftsmanship. With over a century of experience, Weng Cheong Co. has built a loyal customer base in Singapore and continues to be a prominent player in the goldsmith and jewellery industry.
How one of Singapore’s oldest jewellers in Chinatown has lasted nearly 9 decades
On Cheong Jewellery: How one of Singapore’s oldest jewellers in Chinatown has lasted nearly 9 decades
Among the many heritage businesses that called Chinatown home from the 1950s to 1980s, goldsmiths had a particularly strong presence. Many of these were household names during the time, with each having their own loyal customers, despite facing stiff competition in the area. Very few of these family-run businesses, however, are still around today, given how much jewellery tastes and purchasing habits have changed since.
“Back then, the district flourished with over 20 bustling goldsmith shops, primarily serving the local community amidst Chinatown’s historic ambience. Even though they offered a more limited selection compared to modern jewellers, these shops thrived with clientele,” said Ho Nai Chuen, who is the managing director of On Cheong Jewellery, one among the small number of these goldsmiths to have successfully survived to this day. On Cheong Jewellery, one of Singapore’s oldest surviving Chinese jewellers, was founded by his father, Ho Yew Ping, in 1936. The elder Ho was born in Guangdong province in China and honed his craft as a goldsmith apprentice in Penang and Ipoh, before moving to Singapore and setting up shop here.
The business was originally named On Cheong Goldsmith and was located in North Bridge Road in Chinatown. It then moved to South Bridge Road (known back in the day as Goldsmiths’ Row) where footfall was higher, which is where it still stands today. Its name, in Chinese characters, remains emblazoned across the front of the five-footway shophouse it occupies, albeit in a shortened form today – perhaps an unintentional but apt reference to how On Cheong Jewellery has changed and modernised over the years.
On Cheong Jewellery
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.
With a team of talented jewellery designers and craftsmen, On Cheong is renowned for crafting jewellery masterpieces for customers who appreciate the finer things in life.
With On Cheong Jewellery, we are committed that every jewellery piece is “Crafted by time, Cherished for generations”.
On Cheong’s accolades include:
- 2004 – ‘Mark of Trust’ Quality Jewellers of Singapore Scheme (QJS).
- 2006 and 2008 – Singapore Prestige Brand Award (Heritage Category).
- 2010 – Singapore Service Star Award.
- 2012 – Tripartite Alliance for Fair and Progressive Employment Practices (TAFEP) Exemplary Employer Award and Outstanding Workplace for Mature Employees for its fair, responsible and employment practices in workplace.
- 2014 – Singapore Service Class (S-Class) for Business Excellence.
- 2015 – Workforce Skills Qualifications Most Supportive Employer Award (Retail SME), Premium Service GEM for Luxury Watches and Jewellery/Premium Gifts.
- 2017 – Skillsfuture Employer Award and Singapore Health Award (Corporate Merit Award).
- 2018 – SkillsFuture Fellowships Award and SRA Platinum ACE Award for Luxury Watches/ Jewellery.
- 2019 – On Cheong Jewellery was awarded the Singapore Quality Class (SQC) with People and Service niche and Singapore Health Award 2019 (Excellence Award).
- 2021 – Made with Passion brand mark, awarded Better Workplace, Better Job and Better Worker by USME under NTUC in your workplace program.
- 2022 – Awarded Partner of Labour Movement in May Day Award 2022.
- In commemoration of 55 years of National Service, On Cheong is proud to pledge support for National Service and be accredited with the NS Mark.
- 2023 – Accredited with the Progressive Wage Mark Plus. Awarded with the Tripartite Alliance Award 2023. TDA 2023 NS Advocate Award for SMEs
- 2024 – Awarded with the WPL:READY Mark status.
5 BEST JEWELRY SHOPS IN SINGAPORE 2024
Whether you decided to marry your chosen one or simply want to update your jewelry collection, this is not a decision taken lightly. Most frequently, jewelry and other accessories gain sentimental value, and we enjoy passing them down to the next generations. More than a simple fashion statement, the perfect jewelry piece must have a timeless design and be crafted by skillful artisans.
The next five best jewelry shops in Singapore [2024 review] are leaders in their niche. You can choose from crafting your own piece from sketch to final touch, buy a pre-made, unique accessory, or purchase your wedding bands and eternity rings from a beautiful existing collection.
Five best jewelry shops in Singapore:
POH HENG JEWELLERY (PRIVATE) LIMITED
In more ways than one, gold is who we are
Incorporated on 6 October 1951, Singapore’s leader in gold jewellery for 70 years, we’ve always believed that machines cannot replace the human touch in the creation of fine jewellery. Crafting, polishing, assembly - nothing goes amiss when you have the stroke of an artisan’s hands and the scrutiny of his eyes.
Our dedication to quality is why every piece of Poh Heng jewellery comes to bear the lion’s head logo - Singapore’s hallmark for gold purity certified by the Singapore Assay Office (SAO).
We do this because among all that we have to offer, Nothing is Quite As Precious As Trust. This is what makes us gold.
Poh Heng Jewellery
The storefront of Poh Heng's first store at North Bridge road. Chng Tok Ngam is pictured third from right. Photo from Poh Heng
Poh Heng Jewellery is a homegrown family business with its roots in 1940s Singapore. Alongside Lee Hwa Jewellery, Poh Heng is one of Singapore’s most well-known jewellery brand names. Poh Heng is accredited by the Singapore Assay Office with a certification that its gold jewellery meets international purity standards. In 2005, Poh Heng was the first jewellery brand to be conferred the Heritage Brand Award. As of October 2019, Mdm Chng Hwee Siang is the Managing Director of the company since the passing of CEO Chng Seng Mok in 2015.
Poh Heng was founded by Chng Tok Ngam in 1948. Tok Ngam left China at 16 years old to apprentice at his uncle’s goldsmith shop in Singapore. In 1948, the 28-year-old Tok Ngam and his father-in-law Lim Tong Buan established Poh Heng Goldsmiths Ltd. “Poh” was Tok Ngam’s nickname and the word means “precious” in Mandarin. In the Teochew dialect, “Heng” means “luck”. The first Poh Heng store was located at 691 North Bridge Road. Tok Ngam suffered a stroke and passed away in 1984.
Chng Seng Mok, Tok Ngam’s eldest son and a former national shooter, took over the business after his father’s passing. Seng Mok joined the company in 1975 after completing his National Service. He started as a shop assistant at 25 years old alongside his sisters Vicky, Seng Quee and Seng Kiat. Chng Seng Mok’s leadership ushered in a period of expansion for the brand - from a single jewellery shop to a sixteen-outlet jewellery chain. Seng Mok passed away in September 2015 from cancer. Chng Hwee Siang, Tok Ngam’s daughter, took over as the acting CEO upon the passing of Seng Mok. Hwee Siang has been working at Poh Heng since 1974 after a stint with the Singapore Tourism Promotion Board, the predecessor of the Singapore Tourism Board.
At Poh Heng, Jewellery Draws On A Rich Peranakan Legacy
Poh Heng modernises its iconic Peranakan jewellery and invites you to #wearyourstory with its Legacy collection that exudes elegance
They say every piece of jewellery tells a story. The Legacy collection by Singapore’s leading homegrown jeweller, Poh Heng, is no exception.
Drawing from Singapore’s rich Peranakan heritage, Poh Heng’s resident designer Celine Goh has reimagined the latest jewellery collection, which builds upon the success of the first Poh Heng Legacy collection.
Launched last year, Poh Heng Legacy was inspired by the story of its founder and Singapore’s Peranakan heritage. Each piece of jewellery in the Legacy collection features brilliant cut diamonds set in a splendid 18K gold, to form an exquisite constellation of unique and intricate Peranakan motifs.
Lee Hwa Jewellery
One of Singapore’s largest commercial jewellers, Lee Hwa Jewellery creates unique pieces inspired by trends on fashion runways. Alongside Poh Heng Jewellery, Lee Hwa is also one of Singapore's most well-known jewellery brand names. The homegrown brand is recognised for creating and introducing Purple Gold to the global jewellery market.
Lee Hwa Jewellery was founded in 1970 by Madam Tan Soo Lan. She opened Lee Hwa’s first outlet on Circuit Road and grew her business selling cornflower yellow gold of 916 and 999 purity. In 1994, she found that consumer tastes had changed and the company began to “only break-even”. Succession
In the same year, her son, Koh Wee Seng, took over the family business. Koh was a Business Administration graduate from the National University of Singapore (NUS) and had been helping out in the business since he was 11 years old.
Under his leadership, Koh updated Lee Hwa’s image by changing the brand’s consumer target and increasing its appeal to both the local and international market. As of September 2019, Koh Wee Seng is the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Lee Hwa Jewellery and Aspial Corporation Ltd.