Viewpoints

Spotlight On Diamonds

By Rachael Taylor 3 Minute Read

When investing in a capsule wardrobe, it is hard to find something that never goes out of style. Even the most seemingly enduring of items – a little black dress, a classic handbag – are eventually dated by their cut, or their colour fades over time. Not so with diamonds.

Natural diamonds were formed millions of years ago, deep beneath the earth’s mantle, when volcanic eruptions put carbon under huge amounts of pressure at a high heat. The result is one of the toughest – and most beautiful – gems on the planet.

These immutable beacons of brilliance never age, making them ideal for those of us seeking to make more conscious choices when it comes to adornment. As the fashion designer Vivienne Westwood once said, and to which we can all aspire: “Buy less. Choose well. Make it last.”

While it might be its sparkle that keeps us mesmerised, a diamond’s durability is what makes it perfect for everyday jewellery.

As for choosing well, this is a matter of personal taste, but there are some classic items that every well-furnished jewellery box should possess. A diamond line bracelet, such Goldsmiths’ white gold Classic Line Bracelet set with a continuous strip of 4cts of round-brilliant diamonds, is one. This style is also known as a tennis bracelet, a name it won in the 1970s due to its on-court popularity among top-tier tennis players. The nickname was further cemented in the public’s imagination when play was stopped during the US Open in 1978 to retrieve Chris Evert’s own diamond line bracelet, which had fallen off mid-swing.

Goldsmiths

18ct White Gold 4.00ct Diamond Classic Line Bracelet

£7,000.00

Goldsmiths

18ct White Gold 1.40ct Diamond Half Line Necklace

£3,250.00

Another timeless diamond jewel that will never fade from favour is a pair of simple stud earrings set with round-brilliant diamonds. Depending on your style, and budget, you can dial the carat count up or down, but do opt for a pair that will deliver that across-the-room sparkle, such as those in the Goldsmiths Brightest Diamond Collection featuring a bespoke diamond cut with 30 more facets than a standard round brilliant. Or for a playful contemporary twist on the diamond earring, there is Goldsmiths’ Diamond Drop earrings that feature seven diamonds that gently graduate in size.

Goldsmiths

18ct White Gold 1ct Goldsmiths Brightest Diamond 4 Claw Stud Earrings

£4,250.00

Goldsmiths

18ct White Gold 1.00ct Diamond Drop earrings

£2,250.00

Diamonds are also perfect for stacking and layering. These buildable hexagon rings and necklaces offer a twist on classic styles, with the diamonds creating geometric halos for rich blue sapphires, or simply celebrating negative space.

Goldsmiths

9ct White Gold Sapphire 0.06ct Hexagon Pendant

£600.00

Goldsmiths

9ct White Gold 0.25ct Open Hexagon Pendant

£350.00£550.00

Goldsmiths

9ct White Gold Sapphire & 0.15cttw Diamond Hexagon Ring

£350.00£700.00

The most iconic diamond design of all has to be the engagement ring. Diamonds became the go-to gemstone for the betrothed towards the end of the 19th century, and it is a tradition that has held fast. The classic solitaire has changed little over the years, although today’s brides will enjoy a far superior sparkle to that enjoyed by the Victorians, especially with the rings within Goldsmiths’ Brightest Diamond Collection thanks to the diamonds’ 88 facets. For extra brilliance, opt for a solitaire with diamond-set shoulders or even a trilogy ring that has three central stones to represent a couple’s past, present and future.

Goldsmiths

Platinum Brilliant Cut 1.00 Carat 88 Facet Diamond Ring

£6,000.00£10,000.00

Goldsmiths

Platinum 1.20cttw Diamond 3 Stone Oval Cut Ring

£8,000.00

Of course, you don’t need a proposal to invest in a diamond ring. Long gone are the days when women had to wait for the jewels they coveted – and rightly so. Though it historically has roots in matrimony, an eternity ring makes a perfect stacking ring for any occasion, and indeed gender. The choice, which is entirely yours, is whether to keep it classic with a uniform band of diamonds, or perhaps opt for something with a little flair, such as Goldsmiths’ Fancy Baguette Halo Eternity Ring that mixes baguette-cut diamonds with round brilliants. Either way, this will be a purchase that will delight now and for decades to come.

Goldsmiths

18ct White Gold 1.00ct Fancy Baguette Halo Eternity Ring

£2,300.00

Explore our stunning diamond jewellery pieces here at Goldsmiths online or visit us at one of our showrooms where our experts will be delighted to help you find your perfect piece.

Author Credit: Rachael Taylor is a jewellery journalist, contributing to a wealth of titles across the globe including The Financial Times, The Telegraph, The Independent and Condé Nast titles. She is also the author of two books on jewellery and a judge at prestigious competitions including the UK Jewellery Awards and The Goldsmiths’ Craft & Design Council Awards.

Goldsmiths is a trading name of Watches of Switzerland Company Limited. Registered Office: Aurum House, 2 Elland Road, Braunstone, Leicester, LE3 1TT, Registered in England and Wales, Company number 00146087. Registered VAT Number 834 8634 04. Watches of Switzerland Company Limited acts as a broker and not a lender and offers finance from Secure Trust Bank PLC trading as V12 Retail Finance and PayPal UK Ltd, Whittaker House, Whittaker Avenue, Richmond-Upon-Thames, Surrey, United Kingdom, TW9 1EH trading as PayPal Credit. Watches of Switzerland Company Limited is authorised and regulated by the Finance Conduct Authority. Our registration number is 308710. Credit provided is subject to age and status, minimum spend applies. Terms and Conditions apply. UK residents only. We may receive a commission if your application is successful, and the amount may vary depending on the product chosen and the amount of credit taken out. Not all products are regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and FOS protection will not be extended to unregulated agreements. Please note the Consumer Credit Act states that should your purchase / loan amount cost more than £30,000 you will not be covered under Section 75 of the Consumer Credit Act.

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Spotlight On Diamonds

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