Flip through the latest issue of Gulf Weekly.
Celebrating the recent launch of De Beers boutique in Bahrain, one of the world’s leading diamond industry experts, Andrew Coxon, dazzled jewellery fanatics and guests with a seminar on how to choose the right ring, writes Mai Al Khatib.
Mr Coxon, the president of the De Beers Institute of Diamonds, boasts more than 40 years of experience and has purchased some of the world’s most significant diamonds, including the world-renowned 203-carat D Flawless Millennium Star and an 889-carat flawless yellow diamond.
Thanks to his expertise and ability to spot a sparkling stone, Mr Coxon is highly-regarded by the likes of the UN and the World Diamond Council.
As a first time visitor to the Middle East, Mr Coxon, who was born in Australia to British parents, said: “I think customers in Bahrain will be surprised and delighted when they see the difference between ordinary diamonds and our ‘high-performance’ diamonds at De Beers.
“As we have been opening stores all over the world, my main role is to set the standard and choose all the diamonds going into De Beers’ jewellery.”
The seminar in Moda Mall also showcased his book, Diamonds: from Rough to Romance, co-authored by Japan’s leading gemologist, Yasukazu Suwa. He answered the three most asked questions: why are diamonds so special, why are they so expensive and perhaps, most importantly, how does a buyer choose a good one?
When hunting for the right diamond, most women tend to look at the 4 Cs – cut, clarity, carat and colour. However, according to Mr Coxon any diamond can be a girl’s best friend as long as it’s a knock out stone as far as the ‘eye, brain and heart’ are concerned.
He said: “Your diamond doesn’t have to be rare in the 4 Cs to be beautiful. If you buy a diamond just because it’s the rarest, it may be the best investment on paper but it won’t give you any pleasure to wear it.
“Every diamond does three things in different proportions and these three things are not written on a piece of paper. The retailer doesn’t want you to worry about what the diamond does. They want you to care about what it is.
“What De Beers believe is what the diamond does in terms of fire (dispersion of light), life (scintillation) and brilliance (brightness) are much more vital because they equal beauty. Ultimately though, it is the diamond that chooses you.”
Mr Coxon, married to Felicity for 23 years, also gave a word of advice to men in the audience. He said: “When looking for a ring with your wife, always go shopping together. Do not undervalue the retail experience because that time you spend together means a lot more to her than just the ring.
“Trust me, whatever you lose in price tag; you will get back in brownie points for years and years to come. She will never forget it and will also tell all her friends.”
