The piece began nearly a year ago, when UltraLux invited AMTC to create six special designs for SG60. At its centre sits a remarkable 60-carat London Blue Topaz, chosen both to mark Singapore’s 60th anniversary and to honour AMTC’s beginnings. Topaz was among the first gemstones traded by the family in India before their move to Singapore in the 1950s.

The family’s early years in Singapore were modest, trading gold chains and melees with vendors along Arab Street and in Little India. Those beginnings shaped the resourcefulness and technical expertise that continue to define AMTC today. To reflect this chapter, the necklace is framed with delicate pink diamonds set along the chain.

As the business evolved, AMTC became known for fancy-shaped diamonds and precision cutting. This journey is reflected in the design through four lozenge diamonds and a trapezoid diamond. The central lozenge represents the founding generation, Savi and Freha Khafi, who established Afghan Malaya Trading Company. The second honours Reuben Khafi, who expanded the business into in-house jewellery design and advanced diamond cutting. The final three lozenges represent the third generation Devora, David, and Naomi Khafi who continue to grow the company through new gemstones, techniques, and creative approaches to presentation and design.

At the heart of the piece, the Merlion has been engraved directly into the London Blue Topaz, symbolising both Singapore and AMTC’s commitment to creating jewellery that carries meaning across generations.

The engraving process itself became part of the story. The first stone shattered during engraving, and the second split in two. Only the third succeeded: an exceptionally pure London Blue Topaz that remained flawless even under 100x magnification a rarity in itself.

The finished piece reflects the values that have shaped AMTC over decades: patience, precision, resilience, and craftsmanship passed from one generation to the next. AMTC is a wholesale gems and jewellery company established in 1959. By the 1970s, the company was pioneering unique diamond cuts for designers across the region. Today, AMTC specialises in high-quality colourless and fancy-coloured diamonds, fine gemstones, and precision polishing. For over 70 years, we have built lasting relationships with clients through quality, reliability, and craftsmanship.