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FINE ART As Singaporeans' wealth increases, so does appreciation of the arts, so you'll get to see a multitude of successful galleries cropping up, many of which feature the works of local and regional artists. Late 19th-century Chinese oil paintings, watercolors, and brush paintings blend agreeably with contemporary artworks by well-known and new-to-the-scene artists from ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) countries as well as the United States and Europe. Rich antique embroideries, carved jade and wooden pieces, and calligraphy (an art unto itself) beg to be admired for their excellent craftsmanship.

Six Galleries arc packed into the Artrium@MITA (The Ministry of Information, Communications and The Arts), 140 Hill St., including Gajah Gallery, with regional fine arts (65/6737-4202) and Soobin Gallery (65/837Z777).

Artfolio's exhibits at #02-25 Raffles Hotel Arcade, 328 North Bridge Rd. (65/6334-4677), always make me wish I were rich enough to collect. Art Forum, 82 Cairnhill Rd. (65/6737-3448), operated by a diva of the local scene, also features contemporary Singaporean and ASEAN artworks. If you're in the market for fine arts from the mainland (China, that is), Plum Blossoms, #02-37 Raffles Hotel Shopping Arcade, 328 North Bridge Rd. (65/63341198), showcases contemporary works.

With the burgeoning collecting mania for Oriental artifacts, paintings, sculpture, calligraphy, and antique furniture, prominent international auction houses Christie's, Goodwood Park Hotel, 22 Scotts Rd. ( 65/6235-3828), and Sotheby's, The Regent Singapore, 1 Cuscaden Rd. (65/6732-8239), have established themselves in Singapore.

JEWELRY & ACCESSORIES Crocodile skin products are well made and affordable at Jurong Reptile Park, 241 Jalan Ahmad Ibrahim ( 65/62618866), and The Singapore Crocodilarium, 730 East Coast Pkwy, running along East Coast Park (65/6447-3722). They both have showrooms filled with crocodile goods, as well as pelts from other exotic beasts. Jewelry is also a bargain. Gold, which is sold at the day's rate, is fashioned into modern Western styles and into styles that suit Chinese and Indian tastes. Loose stones, either precious or semiprecious, are abundant in many reputable shops, and can be set for you during your stay.

For upmarket jewels and settings, the most trusted dealer in Singapore is Larry Jewelry (S) Pte. Ltd., #01-38 Raffles City Shopping Centre, 252 North Bridge Rd. (65/6336-9648), but be prepared to drop some serious cash.

Peek in the window displays of the gold shops along Serangoon Road and you'll see all kinds of Indian-style gold necklaces and bangles. Each Indian ethnic group has its own traditional patterns, all of them featuring intricate filigree. Indian gold is more reddish in color, and the delicate designs are brilliant and very unusual. The selection at Mustapha's, 320 Serangoon Rd. (65/62992603)> is absolutely mind-blowing. I can't imagine the staggering value of all their merchandise. Enter from the Serangoon Road entrance, which will put you in the jewelry department.
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