Thanks to his family's 40-year tradition in jewelry craftsmanship, Nguyen Ngoc Anh (also known as Bi Nguyen) created his first silver grillz. It took him several days to complete the piece.

Recognizing the appeal of this type of jewelry, which is still relatively unknown in Vietnam, Ngoc Anh decided to develop this product line. It serves both his personal interests and aims to expand the grillz community, offering personalized style to enthusiasts.

After seven years, Ngoc Anh now possesses a collection of over 30 grillz sets, crafted from a variety of materials, including silver, gold, gemstones, and natural diamonds, with a total value exceeding 600 million VND ($23,800).

Ngoc Anh's most valuable piece is a set made from white gold, fully encrusted with natural diamonds. Once completed, he valued it at approximately 230 million VND (over $9,000).

In the early days of making grillz, Ngoc Anh relied on online resources to learn about crafting this entirely new type of jewelry. His initial products varied in fit, some being too tight or too loose, and he spent a year refining his technique, testing the products himself, making them for friends, and listening to their feedback.

The process begins with consulting clients on the types of gemstones and precious metals to use, followed by taking dental molds from the clients. The final step involves closely fitting the mold onto the product and casting it in a cool environment. Creating a single piece from start to finish takes about 3 to 4 days.

Each piece of dental jewelry is unique, as it is crafted to fit one individual's dental mold. Others may find the piece too tight, too loose, or unwearable.

The price for a single silver grillz starts at 1 million VND per tooth. For pieces made from gold or natural diamonds, the cost can reach around 100 million VND for either the upper or lower set of 8 teeth. "The most expensive set I've made cost over 200 million VND for a lower set. Some clients choose to have both upper and lower sets made with natural diamonds, costing up to 400 million VND," he said.

These luxury grillz are often chosen by artists and celebrities for stage performances due to their excellent light reflection. Meanwhile, casual enthusiasts opt for smaller grillz, which subtly glint during conversations, drawing attention," Ngoc Anh revealed. Without extensive advertising, he has crafted unique pieces that have become known among Vietnamese celebrities and artists through word of mouth.

In a small shop in central Hanoi, Ngoc Anh welcomes many young visitors and tourists daily. They seek unique jewelry crafted by Vietnamese artisans, often taking home these pieces as memorable gifts from their travels.

Chi Hieu