A GIRL'S BEST FRIEND, REDEFINED

Sales of the classic solitaire-cut were at a record low in 2013. Clearly a girl's best friend is evolving beyond shape alone.

BIG IS STILL BEAUTIFUL

A la Jackie Kennedy (40 carats), Liz Taylor (33 carats) Beyoncé (18 carats), Mariah (17 carats), Kim (16.5 carats) and Angelina (16 carats).

Though if size isn't really your thing, there's still hope.

Beyoncé's 18-carat Lorraine Schwartz is
an investment, more than doubling its value in 2 years

Here are four ways to stand out:

1- GET COLOR-CODED

Personally, I opted for a yellow fancy cushion-cut number encircled by two rows of pave diamonds; a show-stopper without looking too show-offy. 

If this is what you had in mind, check out Cartier Destinée and Tiffany Soleste. 

Not particularly my style but there's also Van Cleef Pierre de Couleur for that extra flash factor.

Van Cleef & Arpels Pierre de Couleur
Bonheur in a dazzling bluish-purple

2- INVEST IN A PATENT

Reese Witherspoon sports a rare 4-carat Ashoka-cut engagement ring. The Ashoka, patented by US jeweler William Goldberg, has a total of 62 facets surpassing the iconic Tiffany Lucida’s 50 facets. Scarcity of extra-long rectangulars in antique cushion-cut explains the high cost and demand of the Ashoka diamond. 

If you're more of a solitaire kinda gal, go for the Blaze cut patented by Bez Ambar which creates brilliance with fewer, but larger facets.

Reese Witherspoon's 4-carat rare Ashoka-cut diamond

3- GROW A CONSCIENCE

 A Kimberley certificate is now accepted as the gold standard for conflict-free rough diamonds globally.

In parallel, according to Foreign Policy, nearly all the world’s diamonds pass through this one Indian city- Surat, the world’s hub for cutting and polishing diamonds, and for the world’s illegal stones. 

Point is, you can’t ever be a 100% certain about the ethical value of your diamond but you sure can try to raise awareness. Start with the Fairtrade foundation website which enlists jewelers who only work with Fairtrade materials. Also, watch Bob Sinclar’s World Hold On, Kanye West's Diamonds Are Forever, and of course the movie Blood Diamond.

Riveting Dicaprio scene in movie Blood Diamond
set in South African diamond mines

4- BE BESPOKE

And if you still can’t decide what you want, go bespoke with De Beers, the ultimate Diamond Marketeer. Remember the famous tagline from their ad "How can you make two months' salary last forever?"

Also singularly responsible for the nightmares of boyfriends world over. 

De Beers offers a service For You Forever where you get to commission your one of a kind ring just for you.

Latest in De Beers iconic series of campaigns

Now we see that when Marilyn Monroe said diamonds are a girl’s friend, she was a simple gal after all.

Sources:

http://www.ixdaily.com/drop-your-skirt/why-you-should-put-ring-it-especially-if-youre-rich

http://www.thejewelleryeditor.com/2013/01/the-new-colour-code-engagement-rings-featuring-vibrant-gemstones/

http://www.mydaily.co.uk/2012/06/07/miley-cyrus-engagement-ring/#!slide=aol_229450

http://www.movies-wallpapers.net

http://arcadedistro.com/debeers-diamond-wallpaper/