| In October 2005, Egg asked the Social Issues | | | | are beginning to regard right-hand rings as the |
| Research Centre to investigate the trends that | | | | ultimate expression of self. Wearing a fashionable |
| would define the "Noughties". They found that | | | | diamond dress ring to the office every day is a |
| many people thought of the period as the | | | | subtle statement, but it will definitely get you |
| "Decade of Fear", due to the immense media | | | | noticed at the boring weekly meeting. Make a |
| coverage of 9/11, the tsunami and the War on | | | | statement with a "what, this old thing?" attitude |
| Terror. As a result, people are increasingly likely to | | | | to your diamonds. |
| stay at home, to indulge themselves and to | | | | Diamond Watches |
| demand everything on their own terms. One | | | | If you're a bit strapped for cash, but can't resist |
| great way to combine all three is to treat | | | | the appeal of the little sparklers, why not try a |
| yourself to gorgeous jewellery, ordered from the | | | | diamond-set watch? It's far easier to justify to |
| comfort of your own computer desk, and | | | | your other half than a dazzling diamond pendant, |
| delivered straight to your door within days. | | | | however gorgeous it may be, because you really |
| The big surprise for online jewellery retailers is | | | | need a watch anyway, don't you? |
| that diamonds sell remarkably well through | | | | Diamond Celebrities |
| websites. The range available is incredible, with | | | | Catherine Zeta Jones is famed for her stellar |
| everyone from top-end specialists such as Blue | | | | ascent from Swansea mini-series girl to A list |
| Nile through to familiar high street names such as | | | | silver screen goddess. Her red carpet outfits |
| H.Samuel selling diamond jewellery online. | | | | always play to her strengths - she has a stunning, |
| Consumers are now confident that buying online is | | | | hourglass figure, and knows that sumptuous |
| secure, and the quality and design of websites | | | | satiny gowns with structured bodices and flowing |
| makes the decision easy. For example, some | | | | skirts look fab on her. Catherine accessorises with |
| jewellers' sites feature zoom and 360 degree | | | | the kind of jewellery you'd expect from someone |
| views of their products so you can see exactly | | | | married to an elder statesman of Hollywood; |
| what you're getting. Blue Nile even offers an online | | | | old-fashioned jewellery, set with obscenely large |
| design service - you can 'build' a diamond ring by | | | | diamonds. |
| choosing the stone shape, selecting the perfect | | | | Jennifer Lopez has a very different attitude to |
| band to complement it, and setting the budget. | | | | her rocks. Like Destiny's Child, she buys her own. |
| How to Wear Diamonds: | | | | She may have once been Jenny from the block, |
| Diamond Earrings | | | | but she is now queen of a multi-million dollar |
| Diamond jewellery is more affordable than ever, | | | | empire, which allows her to buy herself a new set |
| so now is the time to buy something special. For | | | | of diamonds to perfectly accessorize each of her |
| true self-indulgence, treat yourself to a pair of | | | | fabulous reinventions. J.Lo no longer has the |
| diamond earrings to wear every day. There's no | | | | stunning six carat pink diamond ring that Ben |
| point saving special jewellery for special occasions | | | | Affleck proposed with, so for her 36th birthday, |
| - if you buy something because you like it, then | | | | she bought herself a gorgeously indulgent |
| why not wear it? Diamond earrings come in all | | | | £2.5 million diamond-encrusted ring. |
| shapes and sizes, and the glittering stones are so | | | | Guys would do well to take a leaf out of David |
| versatile that you can wear them with anything. | | | | Beckham's book. He treated wife Victoria to a |
| For adding discreet sparkle to any ensemble, a | | | | pink diamond even bigger than J.Lo's, but he's no |
| little pair of diamond studs is probably the safest | | | | stranger to bling himself. The London-born |
| option; however, there are some gorgeous drop | | | | footballer has become an international style icon |
| and hoop earrings around that look fantastic with | | | | thanks to his sharp tailoring and immaculate |
| a strapless little black dress. | | | | grooming. David likes to wear a huge single stud |
| Diamond Bracelets | | | | earring, set with a sparkling square-cut diamond, |
| Tennis bracelets are a favourite accessory, | | | | with a sharp suit and no other jewellery. Herein |
| although they are possibly a little over the top for | | | | lies the secret to men's jewellery - one piece at a |
| everyday wear. They have a classic appeal akin | | | | time is usually enough, especially if it's diamond-set. |
| to that of pearls or solitaire rings, so are perfect | | | | In recent years, ice has become the jewel of |
| 18th or 21st birthday presents. For something a | | | | choice for rappers such as Fifty Cent, who |
| little more subtle but just as stylish, try a delicate | | | | choose it as a visible display of their wealth and |
| bangle in ultra-fashionable white gold, | | | | success. The subject of conflict diamonds has hit |
| pavé-set with a sweep of gems. The | | | | the headlines of late, thanks to Kanye West's |
| beauty of diamond bangles and bracelets is that | | | | "Diamonds from Sierra Leone", which directly |
| whenever you move your arm, at least one of | | | | refers to the ongoing civil war in that country, |
| the stones will catch the light, and sparkle in that | | | | financed by the sale of diamonds mined in the |
| magical way that diamonds have. If you are | | | | warzone. Jay-Z, another Roc-A-Fella artist known |
| looking for a stunning accessory that won't date | | | | for his appetite for bling, is shown using a |
| over the decades, diamond bracelets are definitely | | | | "diamond cutting" gesture on the front cover of |
| worth a look. | | | | his album "The Dynasty: Roc La Familia". These |
| Diamond Rings | | | | rappers have now, rightly or wrongly, become |
| And finally we come to rings. Diamonds no longer | | | | role models, and to get the look of any of these |
| have to be restricted to a timeless solitaire | | | | hip-hop stars, a chunky, expensive |
| engagement ring. Confident, successful women | | | | diamond-encrusted crucifix is a good start. |