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STYLE | Watches & Jewellery

Brenda Kang debunks a common myth about vintage jewellery

The vintage jewellery boutique owner tells us about her love for jewels

By Debby Kwong - 

Vintage jewellery boutique owner Brenda Kang
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How she developed an interest in jewellery

While working as a flight attendant, I was drawn to the various jewellery stores and museums all over the world that were so different from the usual stores in Singapore. I decided to take a course in gemmology at GIA in Thailand, received my gemologist diploma, and later interviewed with Christie’s. I was lucky they were looking for someone bilingual who could be based out of New York. I moved to New York City and signed on as a trainee jewellery specialist in 1997.

Why she launched Revival Vintage Jewels

After 15 years, I left Christie’s in 2012 and started Revival Vintage Jewels in 2013. I needed a change – I was disappointed with the jewellery being offered in Asia, and very much wanted to share my love for vintage jewellery with collectors here.

On specialising in vintage jewellery

As a jewellery specialist at Christie’s New York, looking at some of the very best antique, Art Nouveau, Art Deco and retro jewels was like looking at artwork. It made me want to learn more about its history, the person who designed and made it, and the stories behind it. I never stop learning and am fascinated by what I find.

(Read also "Here Are The Best Types Of Jewellery Colour For Your Skin Tone And Undertone")

A misconception about vintage jewellery

Some people think that it may bring you bad luck that the previous owner may have had. I’ve owned and handled quite a large quantity of vintage jewellery in my lifetime, and my luck has been pretty good!

Current go-to piece

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Black finished silver and white gold diamond earrings, Hemmerle

My Hemmerle silver and diamond earrings. The diamonds are set on the reverse, and I love how cool, contemporary yet understated the design is. It is so difficult to strike that balance, but the Munich-based jeweller is so good at that.

Favourite jewellery

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Free Bird brooch, Cartier

The Cartier “Free Bird” brooch is particularly meaningful. During World War II in France, Jeanne Toussaint, the high jewellery director at Cartier, along with her team, created “Bird in Cage” brooch, a symbol of resistance. The brooches were displayed in the Cartier boutique and it was rumoured that Jeanne Toussaint was arrested by the Gestapo for this overt public display of resistance. In 1944, as the war ended, Toussaint created a “Free Bird” brooch. The bird stands in front of its open cage, wings spread out, singing its joy, with the coral and lapis lazuli showing the colours of the French flag. Finding such a brooch is extremely rare, and very emotional. It’s a powerful memory of the beautiful gift of freedom – and especially meaningful during these Covid years.

(Read also "This Is The Best Fashion Accessory To Get Now")

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Art Deco diamond and platinum double clip bird brooch

I love any jewellery that evokes emotion. It could be something as simple as an engraving of ‘I love you’ at the back of a watch, or a double-clip brooch with two birds in platinum and diamonds, that can be worn separately or together.



This article was first published in the November 2021 issue of Her World.

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celebrating womenjewelleryvintage jewellery
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