7 East Malaysian Jewellery Brands You Should Know

With a number of jewellery brands cropping up globally, signalling an industry mushrooming, sparkle seekers are getting overwhelmed by the abundance of glittering selections. Those who crave something truly novel, driven by the sense of pride in its discovery, would travel to the far-flung corners of the world to satiate their hunger for luxury. But sometimes, the treasure we seek is buried in our own backyard. And while the scene in Klang Valley continues to surge forward, its East Malaysian counterparts have proven to be equally formidable. These homegrown labels, representing the best of Borneo, are deserving of time in the sun.

BOWERHAUS

Bowerhaus is a name that needs no introduction. A brainchild of sisters Shen-Tel Lee and Elizabeth Lee-Yong, this Kuching-born brand is a staple in the local jewellery industry. Its prowess in marrying coloured gemstones as well as chic pearls with contemporary designs has become the talk of the town since it burst into the scene a little over a decade ago. At Bowerhaus, simplicity and quality are of the utmost importance.

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LEFT & RIGHT

Searching for the ideal fine jewellery alternative for your next purchase? You need only look Left & Right. Setting the brand apart from its contemporaries, founders Eileen Phoan and Fabian Tan turn their attention to bespoke services. This decision allows them to create something that tells a story as unique as the one who wears it. Left & Right also puts an emphasis on sustainability. The brand, for example, frequently uses reclaimed gold and silver as well as certifiable gemstones.

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TALEE

Sabah-based Talee is a maker of precious pieces with a purpose. Weaving her own story into the brand, which is marked by an ailing father who turned to knot-tying for cognitive therapy, founder-slash-designer Lorraine Lee injects a sense of reverence and resilience into her works. The tassel earrings echo her vision with the employment of fade-resistant and washable fibres. Not only that, they come with hypoallergenic surgical steel post studs.

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APOLAKI BY JASON DELICANA

Apolaki by Jason Delicana, formerly known as Vuhanut, is a poetic love letter to the Land Below the Wind. With the intention of preserving his indigenous heritage, Kadazan metalsmith Jason Delicana started the brand in 2020 and delivers handcrafted jewellery inspired by Sabah’s history, myths, and legends. Apolaki’s allure lies in its culturally significant materials—brass and wood—which anchor the necklaces, rings, and cuffs.

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ANTING BY CAMILLA

Hailing from Kota Kinabalu, Anting by Camilla is an unadulterated artistic expression of its founder, Camilla Faris. Her designs are often defined by their undulating silhouettes, juxtaposed by precious and semi-precious materials, ranging from gold to silver and pearls to quartz. A firm believer in ethical practices, Anting makes it its mission to provide its artisans with a fair living wage and cultivate a culture of care and comfort at the workplace.

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SANGON & CO.

Pearls, shells, and natural stones. The earthen materials that make up most of Sangon & Co. are reflective of the brand’s vision, which is to share with the world the richness of the Land of the Hornbills as well as the Sarawakian tradition. Founded in 2020 by Martiana Chia, Sangon & Co. puts forth artisanal pieces that command one’s attention with their contrasting colours, rich interplay of textures, and for some, sheer volumes.

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SUNDUAN STUDIO

Jewellery and art collide at Sunduan Studio. Established in 2020, the Kota Kinabalu-based brand reflects founder Emery Joy’s fashion background with its dreamlike resin earrings. The thoughtful process behind the hand-painted designs is similarly applied to their production. Each pair comes with hooks and findings made from stainless steel and hypoallergenic materials, living up to the brand’s name, which means “Spirit” in Dusun.

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