The official opening was in the afternoon and organisers Elite Expo had invited the Crown Princess of Perlis, DYTM Tuanku Hajjah Lailatul Shahreen Akashah to be VVIP Guest of Honour. Known for her beauty, grace and kindness, Tuanku Lailatul consented and graciously went on stage with the organiser Johnston of Elite Expo, Zulkefli Sharif, CEO of Malaysia Convention & Exhibition Bureau and Puan Sri Datin Dato' Akmal Abdul Salam, Patron of Breast Cancer Welfare Association Malaysia to cut the ribbon and sign on the commemorative plaque.
The fashion show featured jewels from Jade Gallery, the new offshoot from Poh Kong Jewellers. I saw an exceptionally large spinach jade pendant the size of a saucer which you can also use as a coaster for your teacup. I was not the only one besotted with it as Dato Yeoh Soo Ming, director of finance from YTL Group who was with Tuanku Lailatul, also went to have a look-see. She remarked, "It costs over RM 400,000 so I think it is too much for a coaster." The sales assistant behind the counter looked like she was about to pass out as she protested, "This is actually a pendant.." As if we did not know!
As expected, the models sashayed elegantly glowing green in Poh Kong's jadeite jewellery but what was unexpected was supermodel Amber Chia's antics. First she appeared as the star of the show. Then for the finale she reappeared, this time clutching her 6 month old baby son Ashton! Everyone was stunned but pleased and bemused and Tuanku Lailatul was seen clapping and nodding her head.
Me with Her Highness the Crown Princess of Perlis the Raja Puan Muda Perlis Tuanku Hajjah Lailatul Shahreen Akashah. Her Highness noticed my dragon and phoenix necklace handmade for me by Arm of Bangkok just in case you didn't!
The Crown Princess and me, Kee
Her Highness the Crown Princess of Perlis with her entourage and organisers.
The Crown Princess of Perlis with Princess Dr Becky Leogardo.
The Crown Princess of Perlis asking Princess Dr Becky Leogardo about newborn twins Gloria and Rafael Mantz who are my godchildren by the way.
Her Excellency the Ambassador of Russia Lyudmila Vorobyeva with Princess Dr Becky Leogardo.
Princess Dr Becky Leogardo with Rawat Junior aka Sagar at Royal Stones
Mrs and Mr S.B Rawat (left) and at right is Tengku Anisa, sister of the Raja Perempuan of Kelantan.
Princess Dr Becky Leogardo at TAKA
The models doing the sembah to Her Highness the Crown Princess of Perlis
Supermodel Amber Chia holding her baby Ashton! How nice of Amber to show off her darling son!
Jade jewels from Jade Gallery by Poh Kong
The ribbon cutting ceremony
I went to sembah to Her Highness and she as usual was so sweet and friendly. She seemed taken aback by my monstrous dragon and phoenix necklace and said, "This must be the heaviest and biggest necklace I have ever seen on a guy!".
She added with a laugh and showed me her diamond ring, "I thought my bird ring was over-sized but your eagle ring eclipses mine!"
TAKA's booth was smack right by the entrance so you really could not miss it. TAKA always has the most amazing designs at the most incredible prices so one has to prepare to put up with the heaving crowd. Luckily I am so famous (hahaha) they always allow me and Princess Becky to enter their premises and sit at the table to slowly examine their wares. TAKA's director Irene was in Middle East and our favourite salesman Jordan had left the company but the other staff made us feel just as welcome.
But Princess Becky prefers big bling of the valuable sort so off we went to visit our dear friends the Rawat family who own and run Royal Stones. They offer spectacular jewels at very reasonable prices and they are responsible for making me look and feel like a Maharajah. They never pressure visitors to buy because their prices are so good and reasonable they know if one person does not buy now, another will later!
Their rubies, sapphires, emeralds and rose-cut diamonds are to die for. An eye-catching ring or bangle starts at around RM 5,000 and half a million ringgit can get you a veritable treasure trove whereas this amount can barely get you a decent necklace at Cartier but then, at Cartier you pay a premium for the name. Royal Stones is low key as they supply discreetly to other jewellers in Malaysia and regionally which explains why they cannot set up shop in KL since it is unethical to compete with your retailers! This is where I will be when I win the lottery!
Their service is superb. I asked for iced coffee and S.B Rawat's handsome son Sagar rushed off. We started cruising to check out other booths and after 15 minutes who should come chasing after me but Rawat Junior aka Sagar, gasping for breath and holding my iced coffee! They really treat their guests like royalty! Of course their stunning suites of matching necklaces, earrings, rings and bracelets and the occasional anklets are fit for a modern day Maharajah and Maharani hence their name Royal Stones are spot on and they cannot be accused of false advertising!
Sagar Rawat is 28, handsome, slim and charming. More important, he is heir to the Royal Stones throne. And still single! If you are his gf then presumably you get the run of his stock of Maharani-worthy jewels. How lush can life be? Alas, this bachelor is no longer available as he will marry a beautiful Indian lass this December who also happens to be a doctor! So she will get free jewels for the rest of her life and he gets free medical treatment! He has promised me his wife will not charge me for consultation either. Princess Becky Leogardo and Michael Mantz and I will jet to Jaipur this December for the Big, Fat Indian Wedding!
Thanks so much. This jewellery is so pretty.
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