Investing in diamonds? Buying guide and style tips

Expert diamantaire Mark Walker shares his insider knowledge

Diamonds are mysterious. And while that's part of their lure, you don't want to be baffled by mystery when deciding what to buy. How can you make sure you get value for money and a genuine heirloom to hand down to future generations? Plus, how can you make the most of old-fashioned pieces of jewellery that look years past their sell-by-date?

 

We asked expert diamantaire Mark Walker, creative director of www.icecool.co.uk, for his buying tips. Read on to discover the buying basics, how to great a great look for a great price and insider advice on revamping your jewels.

 

Basic buying guide: Know the five Cs

 

Understanding carat, clarity, colour and cut will start to give you the tools that you need to make the right choices.

 

Carat refers to the size of the diamond. Simple measurements to remember for the most popular shape, which is a ‘round brilliant', are as follows:

6.5mm is the diameter of a one carat diamond

5mm is the diameter of a half carat diamond

4mm is the diameter of a quarter carat diamond

One carat weighs a fifth of a gram

Remember: Size is not everything and a smaller brilliant diamond can often out-perform a larger lacklustre diamond

 

Clarity refers to the purity and brightness of the diamond. The highest clarity is IF, which means internally flawless and the lowest is generally I3, which means major inclusions that are visible to the naked eye. The best cocktail of clarity and price is VS1, which means the diamond has very small inclusions that are only visible by an expert eye with 10X magnification.

 

Colour refers to the relative whiteness of the diamond. The best level of colour is D, which is exceptional white and the lowest level is generally L, which is tinted brown-white. The whiteness is really important to the radiance of the diamond, so go for the best colour that you can afford. Ideally go for a D, E or F and try not to go below an H.

 

Cut refers to the quality of the faceting and/or the shape of the diamond. The better the cut, polish and symmetry, then the better the magical light effect. Ideally look for Excellent or Very Good and do not go below Good.

The most popular shape by far is the round brilliant and 70% of the world's diamonds are round. Other popular shapes include princess (square), pear, emerald (rectangle) and marquise (leaf). The choice of shape is very much a reflection of you - choose the shape that makes you smile most.

 

The 5th C is Confidence. If your solitaire diamond is 0.25 carat or above then ask for a certificate, This should be from GIA, HRD or IGI laboratories and will give you peace of mind and confidence about the authentic quality of your diamond.

 

Get a great look for a great price

 

Be creative with your diamond jewellery choices and have fun with the way that you wear your jewellery and you'll be able to make a wow statement without breaking the bank.

 

More is less: get the look

Mixing jewellery with smaller diamonds together gives you a big look for less cost. The larger the diamond, the rarer it is and therefore the higher the cost.

 

Eye-catching ring: budget option

If you are looking for a one or two carat diamond solitaire ring, but are struggling with the cost, then consider a diamond cluster ring. This will give you the diamond spread for only 25% of the price.

 

Statement pendant: budget option

If you are looking for a really sparkly and radiant pendant, then consider a pave-set diamond pendant - this has lots of smaller diamonds set together, like a cobbled pavement, to give lots of sparkle at a fraction of the cost.

 

Hoop earrings; budget option

If you are looking for diamond earrings, say hoops, for that really special occasion but at a good price point, then take a look at diamond channel-set hoops - great luxurious diamond look but created with small diamonds all set between a channel of gold or platinum to give a flash of brilliance.

 

Great ideas: mix and match

Wear several smaller pendants together, some white or yellow gold, some diamond, overlap them in a fun chaotic fashion. Let them complement your style with a little quirkiness. Layer bangles and bracelets to give a wide cuff look. Stack several rings together on one finger, diamonds on one hand and plain gold on the other.

 

Great ideas: dramatic silhouettes

Invest in a really special and beautiful chain so that you can wear it with different pendants and create a statement look without too much expense. Wear several fine curb or trace chains together with one diamond pendant and you will have a really dramatic neckline with a definite twist. Small cute charms with attachable fittings offer real fun and can be moved around and worn in a variety of ways. Experiment with long drop earrings, mainly gold with an accent of diamond, Lariat or Y-chain style necklace, and open framework bangles.

 

Revamping your jewels

 

These days we all want value and to get the most bang from our bucks, so there really is no better time to rifle through jewellery boxes and rejuvenate those rocks. The majority of the value is already in your diamonds and gems so give them new life for a small investment.

They may be gifts, legacies, granny's treasures, forgotten purchases or simply just out of date or tired settings that can be born again with a bespoke makeover service.

 

The first step is a personal consultation with a jeweller, during which your diamonds and other gems and their creative potential will be assessed. You will be asked some key questions about your jewellery and your lifestyle. Do you want a jewel to wear every day or just for special occasions? Do you prefer a minimal or romantic style? Do you wear white or yellow gold?

 

Mark and the team at icecool.co.uk offer a revamp and remodel bespoke service, visit www.icecool.co.uk/you-dream-we-create or call 020 7831 7648 for more information. Icecool.co.uk is one of the UK's premiere online diamond distributors, with a huge range of choice at competitive prices. Visit www.icecool.co.uk to browse the collection.

 

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