Top tips for diamond buying
1) There are no rules with diamonds
Diamonds are an expression of an individual personality, one's unique style and taste. Never more so than with engagement rings, they are such a personal expression! There's a lot of psychology that goes into buying a piece of jewellery this crucial and the most important thing is that the recipient will feel comfortable wearing it. This does mean the biggest diamond ring is not always the right one, if you don't feel safe or comfortable wearing it!
2) What if you don't like it?
There is nothing worse than having a beautiful rock sitting in its box because you don't want to wear it. Gift givers should always keep a receipt and understand that jewellery is very difficult to buy. Receivers must always speak up and gently explain why they want to return/exchange the jewellery, no one wants beautiful jewellery to go to waste.
3) How much should you spend on an engagement ring?
The tradition for engagement rings may be that men should spend three months' salary on a ring for their partner but I would say ignore the rules, it's up to the individual and what they choose to spend. If they want to go all out – why not! If they can't, then settle on a budget that suits.
4) The male perspective
Controversial but it shouldn't be all about what a woman wants! If a man is shopping for a diamond and spending thousands of pounds on this piece of jewellery that he is also going to see every day, you should both love it. It is quite romantic to trust your partner and then get to enjoy their interpretation of what suits you. Of course another alternative if you are engagement ring shopping is to be modern, go ring shopping together and make it a special occasion.
5) Like your clothes have jewellery staples
A pair of simple diamond studs or a single diamond pendant are a good investment which will add sparkle to any occasion. These can be worn every day, but are also suitable for a night out. If you have an engagement ring you can choose something to complement it. Single diamond jewellery is timeless and can work well with more elaborated pieces.
6) Don't overdo it
I believe simplicity and harmony is best, some people completely over-do it with their jewellery and wear too much. As Coco Chanel famously said; 'before you leave the house, look in the mirror and take one thing off,' and this has never been truer. You only have to look at the red carpet to see that celebrities are keeping things simple and only wearing one piece of statement jewellery – either a long pendant necklace with stud earrings or a cuff bracelet with no rings.
7) Complement your face and body
If you are short and have a wider frame choose something simple and elegant like a long pendant necklace to accentuate your height. If you have an oval shaped face make sure you keep the designs of earrings in proportion. Avoid long, slender earrings and instead echo the oval face with hoops and tear-drop earrings.
Diamonds are an expression of an individual personality, one's unique style and taste. Never more so than with engagement rings, they are such a personal expression! There's a lot of psychology that goes into buying a piece of jewellery this crucial and the most important thing is that the recipient will feel comfortable wearing it. This does mean the biggest diamond ring is not always the right one, if you don't feel safe or comfortable wearing it!
2) What if you don't like it?
There is nothing worse than having a beautiful rock sitting in its box because you don't want to wear it. Gift givers should always keep a receipt and understand that jewellery is very difficult to buy. Receivers must always speak up and gently explain why they want to return/exchange the jewellery, no one wants beautiful jewellery to go to waste.
3) How much should you spend on an engagement ring?
The tradition for engagement rings may be that men should spend three months' salary on a ring for their partner but I would say ignore the rules, it's up to the individual and what they choose to spend. If they want to go all out – why not! If they can't, then settle on a budget that suits.
4) The male perspective
Controversial but it shouldn't be all about what a woman wants! If a man is shopping for a diamond and spending thousands of pounds on this piece of jewellery that he is also going to see every day, you should both love it. It is quite romantic to trust your partner and then get to enjoy their interpretation of what suits you. Of course another alternative if you are engagement ring shopping is to be modern, go ring shopping together and make it a special occasion.
5) Like your clothes have jewellery staples
A pair of simple diamond studs or a single diamond pendant are a good investment which will add sparkle to any occasion. These can be worn every day, but are also suitable for a night out. If you have an engagement ring you can choose something to complement it. Single diamond jewellery is timeless and can work well with more elaborated pieces.
6) Don't overdo it
I believe simplicity and harmony is best, some people completely over-do it with their jewellery and wear too much. As Coco Chanel famously said; 'before you leave the house, look in the mirror and take one thing off,' and this has never been truer. You only have to look at the red carpet to see that celebrities are keeping things simple and only wearing one piece of statement jewellery – either a long pendant necklace with stud earrings or a cuff bracelet with no rings.
7) Complement your face and body
If you are short and have a wider frame choose something simple and elegant like a long pendant necklace to accentuate your height. If you have an oval shaped face make sure you keep the designs of earrings in proportion. Avoid long, slender earrings and instead echo the oval face with hoops and tear-drop earrings.