Buying an exquisite piece of jewellery is more than just adornment. In fact, high quality jewellery is an investment that can be passed down from generation to generation. HEALTH explains how to buy the best jewellery and what you should be looking for.

1. Design

When it comes to design, buying a piece of jewellery can be compared to buying art. Timeless designs should be your priority when selecting jewellery. Look for inspirational design features that reflect a jeweller’s vision and tells a story. A jeweller’s inspiration could range from architecture of a region to art of the land to cultural symbols; all these elements combine to show the passion of the jeweller and as a result make the jewellery an heirloom piece.

2. Quality A well reputed

Jeweller will always use the highest quality materials to ensure that he doesn’t compromise on the design. If the choice of gemstones and material is of utmost importance to the jeweller then you can enjoy the jewellery today and for years to come.

3. Craftsmanship

If you have bought from a reputed jeweller who has generations of history and a passion to serve then you’ve found the brand that you must invest in. Attention to detail is what sets apart superior craftsmanship of any design.

4. Limited edition

Mass produced jewellery can never be an heirloom piece because that involves a large scale manufacturing process that is not individual and lacks the passion of the maker. It is the same difference between a couture piece and an off the rack piece. It’s no surprise then that this kind of jewellery won’t be passed on from one generation to another.

The Four C’s In Detail:

The four most commonly used factors to measure diamond quality are cut, carat, color and clarity. De Beers introduced this set of criteria to consumers in 1939 to provide consumers with a reference for evaluating diamonds.

• Cut refers to the angles and proportions a skilled craftsman creates in transforming a rough diamond into a polished diamond. The most popular include: Emerald, Heart, Marquise, Oval, Pear, Princess, Round and Trillion.
• A carat is equivalent to 0.2 grams and is the unit of weight for diamonds.
• Colour is rated according to a precise scale, running from D (colourless) to Z (saturated).Most diamonds appear icy white, but many have tiny hints of colour.
• A diamond’s clarity rating is the key measure of its overall quality.

Important Quick Tips to Remember While Purchasing Diamonds:

• Buy from reputable retailers
• Buy from well-respected brands
• Clarify the stores guarantees and certifications
• See the diamond before buying it
• Buy the most beautiful and rare and desirable pieces in your budget

(Credit: Eddie Le Vian)