The great Koh-I-Noor, for example, was found in the early 14th Century and originally graced the magnificent diamond jewellery collection of an Indian Rajah. When India was added to the British Empire, the Koh-I-Noor was taken to London, recut, and placed in the Queen’s Crown Jewels. At 186 carats, this is truly massive diamond, taken as a prize of conquest at the height of the British Empire’s power.

On the other hand, diamonds can also be symbols of true grace and generosity. The Cartier or Taylor-Burton diamond is without doubt one of the greatest in the world. It was found in 1966 in southern Africa and given to Elizabeth Taylor by the actor Richard Burton, weighing more than 60 carats after cutting. Far from ending its days as piece of jewellery in a case, this stone was later sold to raise funds for hospital in Botswana, not far from where it was mined.

The history of diamonds is a rich and varied one, but one thing has stayed constant – the appreciation of these beautiful stones and their outstanding value.

First up, diamond rings. Don’t just think that rings have to be given with a proposal – any number of other occasions can call for one, so if you’re not at that stage yet don’t let it put you off. Just having a stunning diamond on her finger will be more than enough, and with so many options to choose from (solitaire, cluster or trilogy rings, to name but a few) you’re bound to find something to perfectly suit the occasion.

Then you need to consider the other items, such as diamond necklaces, bracelets or earrings. It’s always nice to have a complete set, but having just one statement piece can be equally as stunning. You have the option of classic pieces or more contemporary ones, so no matter what style you’re looking for you’ll be able to find something to suit.

These are just a few pieces of diamond jewellery that no woman should be without, and if you surprise her with any one of them you’re bound to impress. If you really want to hit the right note, come to us here at ROX and get ready to find that perfect gift.

Don’t think that you have to wait for an engagement ring either – there are plenty of other routes you can go down. Diamond rings don’t just have to be bought for you by other people – why not treat yourself? Diamond necklaces, bracelets and earrings are all classic options, and with so many styles and designs to choose from you’ll be spoilt for choice.

Although diamonds are classic and traditional, they’re by no means outdated. You can get any style that you wish, with more contemporary pieces being just as common as classic ones. No matter what your style is you’ll be able to find the diamonds to suit, and when they look so stylish it’s a shame not to invest. Better yet, diamonds simply don’t age. They’ll look truly stunning for years to come, and will keep their lustrous sparkle for as long as you own them.

So, if you really want to impress, make sure to invest in a few pieces of diamond jewellery. Considering how good it looks it would be a shame not to, and if you’re looking to update your collection (or start it) make sure to come to us here at ROX to see what you can find.

Diamond jewellery really does make the perfect gift, largely because it seems so heartfelt and thoughtful to any recipient. Then there’s the expense involved – anyone willing to buy someone diamonds has got to be in it for the long haul! It truly shows you care, and with diamonds being the ultimate symbol of love they’re the perfect way to convey just how you feel.

There are plenty of options you can go for as well, so don’t think that rings are the only answer. You might like to go for diamond earrings, bracelets or necklaces instead, particularly useful if your loved one already has diamond rings or if you’re not quite ready to propose yet! Anything you choose is bound to be appreciated, and because diamonds are so timeless you can be sure that your loved one will be wearing their pieces for years to come.

As you can see, diamond jewellery really can make the perfect gift. It’s the ultimate way to show how you truly feel, and any recipient is sure to be happy with the extra effort that you went to. If you’re looking for the best make sure to come to us here at ROX, as with so many pieces on offer we’re sure we’ll have just what you’re looking for.

Diamond jewellery is classic, timeless and really can go with anything. It adds instant sparkle to any outfit, and it can’t fail to impress anyone that sets eyes on it. Rings are the obvious choice but there are numerous other options including diamond bracelets and necklaces, and just one single piece can make all the difference to an outfit.

Saying that diamonds will stand the test of time isn’t just a cliche either – they actually will. Not only can diamond jewellery be handed down from generation to generation, each time being just as timeless as the last, but diamonds themselves are practically indestructible. Even if the setting becomes old or past its best the diamonds will forever remain lustrous, giving something that really can be treasured for a lifetime – and beyond.

Because diamonds really are forever they’re the perfect symbol of love and devotion, and make the ideal gifts for anyone that really wants to show a loved one how they feel. That’s why they’re so popular for proposing with, and here at ROX we understand just how special they can be. So, if you’re looking for the ultimate piece of diamond jewellery, make sure to come to us and see what you can find.

2. The symbiosis between the meaning of love and the meaning of diamonds is a well documented one. There can’t be any greater show of love than imparting a ring made using the hardest, most coveted substance on earth as a token of indomitable, indestructible, unending love.

3. Diamonds are a girl’s best friend! Investment, be it financial or emotional, doesn’t usually come cheap. There are always stakes to consider, circumstances to asses, and any number of other potentials to speculate on. Diamonds can be considered somewhat of a bought investment. Be it diamond engagement rings, diamond bracelet, diamond-set designer watch, or any other items of diamond jewellery, the diamond itself will only depreciate in value if damaged.

4. The phrase “timeless” is uttered in soft, breathy tones to describe such fashion idols as the Channel suit, Holly Go-Lightly’s black Dior dress and… diamonds! Never out of fashion, always chic, always desired.

5.  They’re inspirational, with ownership holding formidable esteem and status. Diamonds are rare, desirable, treasured, and rife with meaning and symbology. Everyone aspires to own a diamond!

Pure carbon + colossal pressure + millions of years = rough diamonds (which can lose 50% of their weight once cut) for export. Sounds simple doesn’t it? In reality this equation is exceptionally rare. Once a potential site is identified there are three factors to consider when judging the merits of moving forward – how stable is the land around the site? How environmentally damaging would it be to mine the area? And finally, what type of terrain must actually be mined?

In 1867 diamonds were unearthed in the Cape Colony of South Africa, drastically altering the global diamond market forever. South Africa is, to this day, the largest exporter of diamonds in the world. Prolific diamond mining nations are Angola, Australia, Borneo, Botswana, Canada, Congo, India (where diamonds have been mined for over 2,800 years), Lesotho, Namibia, Russia, Siberia, Sierra Leone, Tanzania and Zimbabwe.

An industry concern amongst diamond jewellery producers is the ever-present issue of conflict diamonds. Here at ROX we’ve included a special webpage to help explain a) the nature and origins of conflict diamonds, and b) a written promise to you that all our diamonds are sourced ethically. You can also be sure that diamonds from our partners like Pandora jewellery, Links jewellery and Stephen Webster jewellery carry the same promise.

Simply relying on your homeowner or renter insurance may not be enough to sufficiently cover more valuable pieces adequately. Check your policy thoroughly to clarify the exact parameters of what your current policy will cover.

Taking out a specific insurance policy for your collection need not be complicated. The three most common types of policy are Valued At, Actual Value and Market Value Replacement.

Valued At policies are less common due to their expense. Say your diamond necklace is worth £1000 but of great sentimental value, the insurer will accept your own valuation, for example £1500, to cover the added cost of emotional upset. You can see why these policies are expensive!

An Actual Value policy is the most common and economically viable. This policy will reimburse you in cash, however the amount will be the current market value of the piece (which could mean depreciation) rather than its original value.

Market Value Replacement policies are essentially the same as Actual Value, though, as the name suggests, your lovely diamond earrings would be replaced with a pair at the current market value rather than compensating you in cash.

Here are some key points to check:

* What are the terms with regard to storage of your pieces?

* Are basic repairs covered by the policy?

* Is your jewellery covered in transit and abroad?

To grade ‘whiteness’ (or colourlessness), a jewellery colour scale is used that starts at D (colourless) and continues down through the alphabet to stones with traces of light yellow or brown colouring. The first three grades of D, E and F are often called the collection colour and are of course the most valuable. Truly colourless diamonds are an absolute treat for the eyes and make the most beautiful diamond jewellery imaginable. Diamonds graded from G to I are graded as slightly less than colourless but will appear virtually colourless to anyone with an untrained eye.

Normally, colour being present in a diamond makes it less valuable, but some diamonds come out of the ground in incredibly vivid colours. The diamond industry’s term for these diamonds are “fancy” colours and they can be any colour from pink to green or even bright yellow. These diamonds are incredibly rare and valuable, and are a true prize of diamond jewellery.

Cut

Contrary to popular belief, the ‘cut’ of a diamond refers to its reflective qualities rather than its shape. The brilliance of a diamond depends heavily on its cut, so the angles and finish of any diamond are the key factors in its ability to negotiate light. A good cut gives a diamond that magical brightness that seems to emanate from deep inside itself.

Clarity

Most diamonds contain some minor imperfections that have occurred during their formation. Industry experts call these imperfections ‘inclusions’.  The number, size and visibility of these inclusions are what determine the overall clarity of a diamond. Diamonds rings which are free of inclusions are fantastically brilliant and so are very highly sought after.

Colour

A colourless diamond allows more light to pass through it than a coloured diamond and so creates a greater sparkle. Completely colourless diamonds are rare so the more “white” a diamond’s colour is, the greater its value.

Carat Weight

A carat is the unit of weight by which diamond jewellery is measured, with one carat being equal to 0.2 grams (200 milligrams). Larger diamonds have a greater value per carat as they are discovered much less frequently than smaller diamonds.