Bulletin Spring‧Summer 1995

citations Mr . Dav id Sin Wai K i n David Sin Wai Kin's induction into the world of jewellery was through his father and his father's associates in the jewellery business, primarily diamonds, that commodity which has been immortalized in aMarilyn Monroe song as being a girl's best friend. He came into the trade early in his life after the war against Japan interrupted his studies and forced him to move from Hong Kong to Macau. In 1945, after the hostilities were over, Sin Wai Kin's father introduced him to his friends in the diamond import business and young David started his apprenticeship at the bottom of the ladder. Within a few years, this native son of Guangzhou had mastered the essentials of the diamond trade. He soon learned what constitutes value in jewellery and how to assess the quality of diamonds. In 1977, 23 years after joining the diamond trade, David Sin decided to set up his own jewellery manufacturing business and founded the Myer Jewelery Manufacturer Ltd. Today, Mr. Sin still retains an interest in diamond dealing and trading, but the bulk of his business is the manufacture and export of a comprehensive line of jewellery across all price ranges and catering to all tastes. Myer is now not only a leading manufacturer of jewellery in Hong Kong but also has manufacturing capabilities in Shenzhen, Guilin, Dalian, New York and Sydney. In 1986, Mr. Sin relocated his production line to north of the border; he was one of the first to do so. Today, Myer employs over 1,000 workers in China and has trained some 3,000 craftsmen. The company probably employs more people under one roof than any other jewellery manufacturer in the world. Themarket for Mr. Sin's goods, in the meantime, extends from America across Europe to Japan. The Japanese market, which is notoriously difficult to get into, posed no problem for Mr. Sin who attributes his own success and the success of his products to a dedication to quality. His business philosophy, which he has drilled into his staff, is that he can accept criticism of his jewellery on price but cannot accept criticism of his jewellery on quality. To the layman, a small difference in lustre or polish may not be very important, but to Mr. Sin this is where the addition of value makes its contribution. Anyone can buy a precious stone at much 48th Congregation 6