Strange Machines

Aside from my BFF Shen, of course. And before you get married!

I believe every woman, where financially possible, should have a diamond set for that special occasion (and trust me, after becoming a mom you’ll be craving for opportunities to glam up).

The diamonds don’t have to be big and expensive but they should match in terms of colour and size, the latter of which should vary no more than 0.3-0.8 carats for all items. Better a sweet 0.5 carat H colour set than a 0.5 F colour set. The naked eye can’t see the difference unless you compare literally side by side.

A basic set should consist of a pair of diamond studs (no danglers), a solitaire ring, and a pendant, and if you’re fortunate enough to have a fairy godmother give you for your wedding, a tennis bracelet. Acquire them one at a time. Don’t bust your budget and shop around for a good deal. When it comes to jewelry, it’s best to buy from someone you trust or ask your friends for the name of their long-time jeweler.

To me, certificates are just a way for the shop to earn another thousand bucks. Diamonds have little resale value and certainly not worth the hocking value. You buy it because you want to wear it, not for “investment”. So take your time to choose (years even…) and choose wisely within your budget.

Should you want to check out online jewelry stores, My Jewelry Box has a lovely selection, from diamond rings to lovely ruby earrings (my fave!). Its easy and intuitive interface offers many browsing options, should you prefer to browse by material, product, or price. I like that they have a comprehensive 30 day return policy, in case you feel antsy about buying online or change your mind about your purchase.

Browsing online gives you the lazy pleasure of taking your time to look at the products without a salesperson breathing down your neck, although you miss out on the guilty pleasure and temptation of trying out that one carat ring. Still, their return policy means that you can buy and try without any worries and it is great for an online store to care so much about customer satisfaction.

The Clearance Center is my fave section since you can probably pick up great bargains from there. But I love that they put their sweetest picks for you to drool at on the homepage, smack centre (best online real estate) so you can’t miss it. I am a sucker for blood red rubies so the earrings have caused a puddle on my laptop.

You could spend a whole day browsing (as I have). But take your time. Buying jewelry is a very personal journey. Enjoy it. And when your set is complete, and even if it is not, sweep your hair up, wear minimal makeup, don an elegant black dress, and your sparkling diamonds (remember to soak them in detergent overnight and use toothpaste to brush them clean the day before) and you’ll look a million bucks.