The Gorgeous offering by Mother Nature is enticing enough; however, here are some tips to choose the

Epitomising the stunning and natural beauty and purity of nature, diamonds are truly a girl’s best friend. Alluring, sparkling, iridescent, irresistible, a diamond embodies and enhances the inner beauty of every woman. True, this spectacular offering by nature itself is most coveted by women but choosing the correct one can sometimes be daunting. Or, if the man wishes to gift his lady an exotic sparkler, there’s always a wide range to choose from. We take you through the 4Cs of diamonds that are most important while buying one.

Diamonds have weight too and are measured by that and the carat is simply the weight of the diamond. However, any two diamonds that are of equal carat would differ in price based on the other four C's. So, the carat really depends on how big you want your diamond and your budget of course.

The proportion, symmetry and finish of a diamond are determined by its cut and is the most important feature as well. The sparkle of a diamond, its brilliance, all depends on the cut. This is the only ‘C’ that involves immense human effort. So, a properly and accurately cut diamond reflects and refracts light significantly resulting in its brightness.

The name is self-explanatory; blemish and spot-free are attributes of clarity. Just like when we refer to clear skin, we mean it’s blemish-free and without spots. The same applies to diamonds as light, when passed through a diamond, bounces back, which makes it sparkle. Simply put, the clarity of a diamond means its cleanliness. The visual appearance of a diamond is graded by its clarity.   

When we think of colour, it’s always bright hues, but for diamonds, a ‘colourless’ state is the best colour and it ranges from D (colourless) to Z (light yellow). The lack of colour, as clear as water, is what defines colour in diamonds. However, most diamonds come with a certain degree of colour, which is hardly noticeable. Its value though is determined by the strength and hue of the colour. 

These are the four Cs of diamonds that would help you choose the very best. 

The shape too matters though and this beautiful gem comes in various shapes. However, the round diamond is the most expensive shape as it reflects the light perfectly making it sparkle beautifully. Having said that, whether round, pear, heart, oval, emerald, cushion or princess, every shape defines your personal style and brings out your inner diva.

While the most expensive round shape as it hides all imperfections, the yellow hue is considered the best as it works as a wonderful concealer. Choose what’s your style, what enhances your inner beauty and shine and sparkle always.  

Jewellery has been a staple of the Indian woman’s wardrobe for ages and even a single piece of exotic jewellery can make a style statement. Whether vintage, traditional or contemporary, jewellery always enhances a woman’s femininity and gorgeousness. 

And, even the contemporary man dons simple and elegant pieces of jewellery in daily life. However, this all-important must-have comes in several variations such as classic gold, rose gold, white gold, and platinum. 

Picking the right metal to suit your style and wardrobe matters. We take you through the nuances of each that will help you in making the right choice for the right occasion and of course, your personal style.

The natural version of all gold, jewellery in this metal rocks at all traditional events such as weddings and festivals. It works beautifully with various Indian skin tones and pleases the eye like no other metal. With a huge range of designs and styles available in yellow gold, you can go as elaborate as you wish or as minimal as you want. In fact, this metal also functions well as a fashion accessory if you so wish.

This is made up of pure yellow gold with a blend of alloy metals that have a silvery-white colour such as silver and palladium. White gold is basically an alloy of gold and is very durable as well. This durability and the neutral colour of white gold make it a great option to set gemstones lending it a classy and stylish appearance. Gorgeous and elegant white gold jewellery works well for all occasions and even attire.    

A beautiful blend of gold, with a small amount of copper and also a hint of silver, rose gold jewellery looks stunning, and elegant and spells romance all the way. It is known for its durability and strength and is perfect for engagement rings. Stylish and contemporary, this alloy is trendy as well and suits all age groups and events too. 

This extremely rare white-toned metal is exotic and elegant making it the perfect choice for engagement rings and wedding bands. This metal is rarer than gold and is known to be hypoallergenic as well as extremely durable and so offers better protection for precious gems set into it. Gorgeous to look at, platinum jewellery naturally enhances the wearer’s personality.  

Before buying jewellery in any metal, it’s important to keep certain things in mind. When it comes to yellow gold, the price depends on its purity. So, 22kt and 18 kt are considered the parameter for purity as 24kt gold is too soft to mould.   

Besides, it’s important to look for the purity code, the year of marking, the testing centre and the jeweller’s mark while buying gold jewellery. However, the most important is the hallmark certification; so, look for BIS or the Bureau of Indian Standards, the official agency that certifies the purity and quality of gold. 

Making an informed choice is as important as checking the size of the ring or the intricate design while buying jewellery.  

Calistta’s guide to caring for your priced jewellery.

Just as we take care of our looks and health, jewellery needs to be well looked after. Some TLC, i.e., tender loving care goes a long way in preserving your jewellery. So, here are some tips that keep your gorgeous pieces lasting longer and always shining.

• Ensure that you apply your make-up or cosmetics and even wear your perfume before putting on your jewellery. 
• When you take a dip in the pool, or the ocean or while indulging in household tasks, it’s best to take off all jewellery beforehand. 
• The best way to store jewellery is to keep it in different boxes as this will minimise the chances of it getting tangled or any scratches.
• Another important point to remember is that use a fabric-lined box to store all the jewellery to keep it away from moisture.
• When it comes to gold jewellery, dip it in warm water with a mild soap mixed to it; keep it in this solution for about 15 minutes, then rinse it with cold water and lay it on a soft fabric allowing it to air dry. After it dries, use a soft brush to clean it gently rubbing it to clean off the dirt. Be sure to be gentle and not vigorous while cleaning. 
• For pearl jewellery, wipe it with a soft cloth after using it and then store it.  
• Last but not the least, take your jewellery to a jewellery store to get it cleaned professionally every six months. 

The above tips are sure to keep your jewellery bright, radiant and sparking, always.