How to buy a forever jewel

Beyond their beauty, large diamonds are a sound investment.

By Rachael Taylor

Diamonds are addictive. Once you’ve experienced the unsurpassed brilliance of a perfectly cut stone, you start seeking them out everywhere. Often our diamond journeys will start with small accent stones that bring subtle radiance to our jewels, but what do you need to know when you’re ready to take the next step and invest in some serious carats?

Much is spoken of the Four Cs, a term that relates to the quality markers gemologists use to grade a diamond. These are Cut, Clarity, Colour and Carat. While it is important to understand what each term means, and how they can impact your choice, it is also vital to step away from the numbers and instead consider how that stone makes you feel. Does it sparkle? Does it excite you? Is it beautiful? Sometimes, these are more powerful indicators of whether you’ve found the right diamond for you.

Often our first touchpoint with a sizeable diamond is an engagement ring. While a 1ct stone is seen as the customary carat weight to opt for, couples should not feel limited to this. While smaller stones can look beautiful on some hands, others benefit from a larger rock. If this sounds more like you, a good tip is to consider your cut. By choosing a shape such as an emerald or an oval, you can scale up the carat size more affordably than with a large round brilliant of equivalent weight.

Mappin & Webb 18ct white gold eternity ring with 4.53cts of diamonds.

Diamonds, of course, are evergreen; not just in the style stakes, but also in terms of holding their value as an investment. While jewels should be bought to be worn and loved now, it can be reassuring to think that a serious purchase is future-proofed too. Such reassurance in turbulent times is perhaps what is driving a return to vogue of classic, diamond-heavy jewellery styles, such as eternity bands, line bracelets and necklaces, future heirlooms that, due to their carat count, will long be cherished.

If you enjoy the concept of owning a forever jewel but want it to reflect your personality, why not seek out a modern twist, such as the white gold tennis bracelet in Mappin & Webb’s Timeless collection that sets 4.2cts of round diamonds at alternate heights to create an undulation of brilliance. Or swap out the classic channel-set diamonds in an eternity ring for sensual pears, as with this 6.06ct diamond and platinum version.

Making an impact with diamonds doesn’t always require large cuts; sometimes sheer volume is the order of the day. Designs that blanket gold or platinum with smaller stones, through pavé or snow settings, can have an enormous impact. In Fope’s Solo Mialuce collection, lots of tiny stones, known as melee diamonds, are used to create ribbon-like structures that knot around the Italian brand’s signature two-tone gold to spectacular effect.

Mappin & Webb 18ct gold line necklace with 6.82cts of diamonds.

Diamonds can also be the perfect partner for coloured gemstones. By opting for a stone such as an aquamarine or blue sapphire as the centre of a cocktail ring, we can achieve drama and colour in a flash. In these instances, the role of diamond is to bring the light and help these coloured gems to shine – a task that should not be underestimated.

Whether you prefer your diamonds as truly spectacular single stones or en masse in radiant synchronicity, the joy of wearing a significant diamond jewel is not to be underestimated. Investing in milestone pieces might feel daunting at first, but this is one brilliant investment you will never regret.

This article was written in partnership with Mappin & Webb