I am wearing a Vintage Round Brilliant Cut Diamond and Pearl Necklace in Platinum and Diamond Drop Earrings in Platinum . Both by Richdiamonds.com
I was sitting in a café off New Bond Street tapping away on my laptop as I waited for a client to join me. Next to me was a very well dressed woman – one of those
perfectly put together ladies whose age can’t quite be placed. She was immaculately groomed, with hipster jeans and a fine silk blouse. What I could not take my eyes off, however, was her huge, glistening ring with what looked like a good 10-carat yellow diamond rock. On closer inspection I realised it was probably one of those costume jewellery rings or a semi-precious piece, beautifully crafted and set into an intricate design… Erickson Beamon or Dolce & Gabbana perhaps?
Should you happen to be the lucky owner of a real boulder that size, the chances are you won’t feel comfortable wearing it every day. It’s a little known secret that celebrities and jewellery lovers with deep pockets will often invest in a replica ring for everyday wear, using something like a Swarovski equivalent.
When you shop for an engagement ring over 3 carats, the shop owner, even then, may suggest a good replica. Thus I can’t help but wonder, what is the point of buying a ring so big you can’t even wear it? Surely diamonds are made to be worn! My grandmother even used to say that diamonds hold special energy. When she gave me a pair of diamond studs she wore as a young woman (and that woman loved diamonds!) I was sure I felt her energy within me.
We ladies should have our wits about choosing the right stones. There should be equilibrium between what’s sensible, what is wearable for your particular lifestyle and what’s worthwhile for the money spent (although gifts possess another set of rules entirely!). I would never go into the shop and buy something that a sales assistant had just pushed my way. This applies to most of my purchases, but particularly high-end jewellery. I have a so-called “network” of Hatton Garden
craftsmen sourcing diamonds from all over the world, as well as pawn brokers (who come to meet me for a quick consultation on call), small family jewellery
shops and of course an information channel of new items/collections being released from the premier jewellery house names.
One of my friends, and a longstanding jewellery connoisseur is Raj Jain of Richdiamonds.com.
A brief history of RichDiamonds:
The founder of RichDiamonds, Raj Jain, has a true passion for the fine jewellery and watch business. He started his business over 30 years ago by becoming a trusted buyer for the Maharajas of India who had acquired incredibly valuable and rare watches such as Rolex, Patek Phillipe, Cartier, and other luxury jewellery and watch brands. As his reputation amongst the royal families grew, he quickly became one of the most recognised vintage and rare watch and jewellery dealers
in Mumbai and London. Having been brought up in the UK, Raj retuned from India and opened a showroom in Central London on Blenheim Street in 1996, right around the corner from the current location on 74 New Bond St. Amongst his clients are some of the most distinguished jewellery and watch collectors from
the UK, Europe, Middle East and Asia. You can find Cartier Love Bangles, Tiffany Rings, Van Cleef & Arpels jewellery, often with their original certificates.
Anyone can stumble into a shop and purchase nondescript jewellery at full retail price. But I like to think of jewellery shopping as an investment. If you do your
research you can find some incredible pieces that can be kept or resold at a later date, as the jewellery market is very liquid. If you use your wits, understand the value of brands and the pricing of stones, as well as how their worth will increase over time, then you can end up sitting on a small gold mine – so to speak!
But money aside, there is something truly magical about purchasing pre-owned items. You can’t help but daydream over why the piece was originally crafted and who had worn it in the past. One of my all-time favourite purchases was a ring I bought from the online antiques marketplace 1st Dibs. Featuring two perfect emeralds, it was shipped to me from LA before I had it remade into a pair of earrings. Each time I put them on I envision the undoubtedly fabulous
individual who once paraded my jewels on an indubitably well-groomed hand, and I can’t help but smile…
