 Diamonds - A cut above
 Diamonds - a woman's best friend. The very word conjures up a sense of luxury. That lovely piece of carbon is something every girl would crave to possess. In fact, initiation into the brilliant world of diamonds starts right at kindergarten, where we learn that stars twinkle like diamonds! It culminates in our buying 'Nakshatra' diamond
jewellery.
From time immemorial, when man first discovered gold and stones, he created jewellery and there status was born. Women flaunted jewellery and flashed their stones. The more they wore, the heavier they were, the flashier they shone, their status symbol rose. Diamonds were the ultimate stone. They fascinated men and women alike. Men wooed women with diamonds. Women envied, sighed and swooned at the sight of them on others. The bluer the diamond, the greener they went with jealousy!
Men went to war with each other. Kings conquered and took their booty in diamonds and jewellery. They decorated their queens with them, glittering in their crowns. One such was the famous Koh-I-Noor diamond from the Indian coffers. It meant the mountain of light. A truly dazzling piece, it now adorns the crown of the Queen of England.
 Legend has it that in ancient Tamil Nadu, women wore palm leaf (pana olai) earrings and thalis. Goddesses were adorned with diamond studs and thali (vaira olai). Subsequently, women also started wearing diamond studs and nose rings. In the Brahmin community, it is a custom to wear diamond thali for sashtiabdapoorthi (60th birthday of the husband). The Chettiar community wear diamond thalis for the wedding itself.
Diamonds are now procured from Kimberley in South Africa, which has rich sources. Belgium is famed for its diamonds and polishing. The diamonds are cut in India. Mumbai is the seat of manufacture and design of diamonds in India. It is a noteworthy fact that diamonds are preferred as open and set in platinum in the north. South Indians prefer closed diamonds set in gold.
De Beers, the famous diamond jewellers, head the DTC-Diamond Trading Corporation. The various collections of DTC include 'Nakshatra', 'Asmi', 'Sangini' and
'Arisia'.
The 'Nakshatra' collection is based on the constellation. Seven stones of brilliance, set in a cluster, make an arresting piece of jewellery. Each diamond reflects the celestial rays of the sun. The aura, the mystery and magic of eternity descends upon the bearer of these jewels. 'Nakshatra' makes you feel a star! It is a bit expensive. The pricing starts from Rs 15,000 onwards.
The 'Asmi' collection is for the working women of today. Light in weight and light on the purse. The diamonds are designed as small rings, pendants, earrings and the like. It is targeted for the age group between 15 and 25, for the college-goers and modern women of today. For those who want elegant and charming jewellery, this is for you.
The 'Sangini' collection is targeted at couples. The designs come in pairs. The ideal present for weddings and anniversaries. A dazzling way to express love.
'Arisia' is the solitaire collection. Solitaires are the ultimate diamonds. They are flawless and clear white stones. To own a solitaire is the biggest luxury one can have. Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis was gifted large solitaires by her husband, millionaire Onassis. Richard Burton, the Hollywood star, presented his star wife Liz Taylor, solitaires on every occasion. The 'Arisia' collection has sets of earrings, rings and pendants, set in gold, silver and platinum. For those who seek perfection and the best in diamonds, this collection is the choice. Prices are from Rs 4 lakh onwards.
 When buying diamonds, the four Cs (characteristics) are considered. They are cut, colour, clarity and carat. Most designs have round brilliant cut diamonds. Fancy designs can be done with oval, marquise, pear, heart and emerald cut diamonds.
Colours may vary from excessive white, rare white, white, slightly tinted white, tinted white and tinted colour.
Clarity of diamonds is decided under various categories from flawless denoted by FL and IF in jewellers terms, marginally flawed-VVS1 and VVS2, and further gradients denoting increased flaw-VS1, VS2, SI1, SI2, I1, I2, I3.
Carat denotes the size of stone, ranging from 0.05carat to 4 carats.
The above 4 Cs may be noted when buying diamonds.
We shall begin our sojourn in Chennai and have a bird's eye view of what our jewelers have to offer on the diamond front, from next week.
Sangita Sridhar
E-mail: geeth000@yahoo.com
2/2 Ramanathan St.,
T.Nagar,
Chennai 600 017.
|
