Respected international diamantaire and industry expert with a deep knowledge of the industry, GIA trained diamond grader, researcher and writer about all things related to diamonds. His work experience stretches over 45 years and covers three countries in Asia. Environmentalist, nature photographer and an ardent proponent of diamonds as a store of emotional and financial value.
With a background in media and communications from the University of Melbourne, Ekta manages the marketing and PR for Facets as well as the DES (Diamond Exchange of Singapore). She is also a freelance event planner and naturally, loves to throw a party. As a foodie and avid coffee drinker, she enjoys spending her weekends trying out Singapore’s newest cafes and restaurants.
A graduate in International Business from North Eastern University in Boston, this esports team owner is also an expert on certified diamonds. Trained at GIA, New York, with a Diploma in Diamonds, he has a fresh and unconventional writing style which resonates with today's Gen Y and Z. Nikhil carries with him 5-years of experience in the diamond business. An hour's consultation with this young man can be an enlightening experience.
Diamond is the hardest naturally occurring substance known to man
A pavé setting is when the diamonds are closely set together with minimal visibility of the metal prongs holding the stones
Platinum is naturally greyish white in tone, white gold is brighter and whiter
Fancy cut diamonds differ in shape and cutting style from the 57 facet round brilliant. These include cuts such as: pear, oval, marquise, emerald and cushion
Platinum for jewellery is considered one of the purest, toughest and most stable metals with a 95% platinum content
White gold is more easily worked and fabricated than platinum, having a lower melting point and a less dense structure
18K gold is preferred for use in intricate jewellery designs where structural strength, hardness and a high polish is required
Marquise cut is a style of cutting in which the girdle outline or shape is in the form of a leaf
Pear shaped diamonds, reminiscent of a teardrop, blends the best of the round and marquise shapes
Emerald cut diamonds are said to represent elegance and refinement
Round brilliant diamonds are said to represent everlasting love
Oval cut diamonds are said to represent fertility
The prong setting is one of the most traditional ring setting styles and suits a wide variety of diamond shapes
GIA’s D-Z colour scale is the industry’s most widely known and accepted colour grading system
Diamonds come in many colours other than white, yellow and brown - these are known as fancy colours and are considered rare
A halo setting is often used to enhance the contours of a variety of fancy diamond shapes
The most common women's ring size is US 6 to 6.5, Euro 48-52 or HK 10-12
Diamonds are a symbol of love and life's significant moments
Fluorescence is the glow when a diamond emits visible light upon exposure to ultraviolet rays
A cluster setting is a formation of stones closely put together
Taking your relationship to that next step is a huge milestone so of course we understand that you want to get it just right. A lot of the time, first time folks don’t really know how to make that next move, so we’ve provided a few tips to prepare you for one of the biggest emotive purchases you’re probably going to make!
Earlier last year we sent out a survey to our customers & friends of Facets Singapore with the simple question: “Does Size Matter?” And no, we’re not talking about what you might be thinking…
Diamond size is also referred to as its carat weight (ct.). A one carat diamond is equal to 0.2 grms and approximately 6.4mm in diameter (for a round brilliant). Our respondents were generally a wide demographic mix with the majority being females, aged 25–35 and married or engaged.
Although we had our assumptions, the results were rather revealing. In addition, the quality of verbal responses and comments we received were outstanding.
Not so long ago, buying an engagement ring was a straightforward process of picking a ready-made piece off the rack or selecting a precious metal and a diamond and having it set into a pre-fabricated ring casing. These days, though many retailers offer this quick and speedy service, the sheer variety of available design choices can create confusion and hesitation for the customer.
White gold and platinum are amongst the most popular precious metals for setting fine jewellery and diamond engagement rings, so the question we often get asked is –“Which one should I choose?"
Though they may look identical from afar, sharing a polished silvery hue, there are in fact various attributes which set white gold and platinum apart.
To make the right choice, let’s take a look at how the two metals compare in terms of appearance, durability and cost.
Our diamonds and jewellery are some of the most treasured and valued belongings representing for most of us, a lifetime of memories and sentiments. It is therefore essential to handle them as you would fragile babies. Knowing how to care for your sparkly pieces requires a bit of effort but this in turn will reap rewards in having their lustre and shine maintained for generations to come. In return for a little care and upkeep, Nature's little treasures will bring you a continuing supply of love and dreams.
Here are a few of our suggestions on what you can do to look after your jewellery.
You've decided that you want to take that next big step and it’s time to commit on that ring, but you’re clueless. Fortunately, there are innovative and time tested ways to second-guess your partner’s preferences, making the process of determining their ring style seamless.
Let’s talk you through our tips, which will help you to customize a ring that (hopefully) goes beyond your fiancé-to-be’s expectations!
So you’re taking the leap, you’re ready to propose, you’ve found a diamond and are ready to create your bespoke engagement ring. There’s just one problem . . . you don’t know his or her ring size and you want it to be a surprise! How do you navigate this tricky situation without ruining the element of surprise? Here are some useful strategies to help you get unstuck . . .
Getting engaged is a truly special moment and buying an engagement ring for that moment is an exciting (yet often daunting) task. With the variety of ring styles and materials available these days, finding the perfect choice for your partner can be a challenge.