When talking about her ideal engagement, a friend once told me “If it’s from Tiffany’s, I’ll say yes!”
Since 1837, Tiffany and Co. has been the iconic jewellers celebrated in the pages of vogue, in films like Breakfast at Tiffany’s, and sported by stars on the red carpet. If you cannot afford the luxury of Tiffany’s during a recession, you can look for jewellery elsewhere, but there are a few pointers to bear in mind when investing in precious stones.
Subtle jewellery is a better investment in comparison to something very bling. If you get a very dramatic piece of jewellery, it may be a piece of art in itself, but it will be easily recognised if you decide to wear it again. Links of London, Cartier and Bvlgari do stunning jewellery, but you should look at the individual piece, before you look at the make. Your taste for brands may change, but if you fall in love with the jewellery, not the jewellers, you will love if for longer.
When looking for some sparkle around your neck, it can be very tempting to buy costume jewellery instead of something genuine. Costume jewellery can instantly jazz up an outfit without breaking the bank. In bangles, plastic and bold colours, it’s fine, but fake diamonds are never a good investment. The glass you see in costume necklaces will never catch the light in the same way a finely cut diamond will. Diamonds are the strongest natural material in the world. This is why they are the centre of engagement rings-the band in the ring represents the never-ending love between the couple and the diamond represents the strength of their relationship.
When shopping for diamonds, always remember the 4c’s: cut, colour, clarity and carat. The Cut is the most important of the four C’s. The better cut the diamond, the more light it will catch, and in turn, the more it will sparkle on your hand. The second C is the colour of the diamond. Colourless or clear diamonds are the most expensive and desirable because they give the best light reflection. White diamonds are not as precious as clear ones because they actually absorb light, so they don’t sparkle as much. The third C is the clarity of the diamond. The majority of diamonds contain minor flaws. The amount and visibility of these flaws determine the diamond’s clarity. Diamonds that have fewer flaws are clearer. In turn, they catch more light and have better sparkle. The final C is the diamond’s carat. The carat of a diamond is its weight unit. Large diamonds are extremely rare. Because small diamonds are more common than large ones, they are not as expensive.
The fifth (and often overlooked) C of a diamond is the Certificate. It is a conclusion of the diamonds value based on the four C’s. This evaluation should be done by a professional jeweller, because oftentimes the flaws in a diamond are invisible to the naked eye. Diamonds are usually on the top of a woman’s wish list. Unlike chocolate, a diamond will last forever. Unlike a man, a diamond will never age. Unlike fashion, a diamond’s value will never change. This is why diamonds are a girl’s best friend!
Fiona Ní Mháille
