This evening also saw a performance by another diva favourite of mine, none other than the lovely Annie Lennox.

I was lucky enough to meet Annie Lennox last year and she was utterly charming.

(We discussed the Fifi Bijoux ‘From Little Acorns’ project and the Shoe Box appeal launched in response to Marie Claire readers!). 

 Glad that her voice can still make me cry its so beautiful, and I know that she works hard to promote education for women and children with HIV in Africa.

As for my own ‘Forever’  fair trade diamonds, I’m delighted to introduce the result of the ultimate design challenge; my own ring! Sparkling round my little finger are:

 2 small Fair trade ethical diamonds mined in a women’s co-operative in Lesotho , cut and polished in a fair trade, co-operative workshop in Surat

1 Canadian ethical diamond in a Radiant square cut ( mined, cut and polished to highest assured and certified ethical standards)

2 little Scottish sapphires in Princess cuts, extremely rare indeed in a blue-green colour, cut and polished here in Scotland

Set in Fair Trade Platinum from Colombia and mounted on an 18ct Rose Fair trade Gold band,  from co-operative mine in Argentina.  All mined without mercury or cyanide, of course!

(I couldn’t leave anyone out! I work with such fabulous projects it was impossible not to have them almost all involved!).

Anyway, I’ve taken a snap for you! Here we are , ta- ra!  

More soon!

Fifi xxx

This week sees the convention of diamond officials who will discuss the continuing problem of Blood Diamonds.

As Mugabe’s diamonds remain on the global market, can anyone be sure that they aren’t currently buying a diamond from the high street which has been mined amidst the murder of some 200 civilians in Zimbabwe in the diamond fields?

The profits from these conflict diamonds are being used to finance political militia.

Sierra Leone has yet to make a full recovery from it’s bloody conflict, funded by diamonds, 1991-2002. Tens of thousands of civilians lost their lives and over 2 million people were displaced by the war.

As Christmas seems to quicken it’s pace towards us, the surge in engagement ring enquiries for Christmas delivery has got well under way. However, for those who aren’t ‘in the know’ about conflict diamonds, far less fair trade diamonds, they could well be unwittingly placing a Blood Diamond on their loved one’s finger.

Zimbabwe’s Rio Tinto mine alone produces approximately 260,000 carats per year and has plans to increase production up to sixfold.

So, the day after my fiance proposed, he pointed out that perhaps one should get on with thinking about the sort of ring to have. 

And that was in June….

(If you assume I must have thought about ‘my ring’ every time I designed a clients; not so).

I design for the person(s) sitting in front of me, each client is unique. It really is a case of the ‘devil is in the detail’ in these matters. Some people want a low, practical setting. Others want sky scraper proportions. Some people like classic, diamond solitaires and others like organic, flowing designs with multiple coloured stones. Ethical engagement rings bring their own unique choices; such as which mine to source from, where the diamond is cut and polished and if fair trade gold or fair trade platinum is to be used.

Finding myself to be a particularly challenging client, I set about extracting my preferences.

Often, when approached by a man who wants to surprise his girlfriend with a ring when he proposes (but isn’t sure what sort of ring to choose) I’ll ask about her style, what does she wear when going out for an evening? This is quite a good gauge of how someone wants to be portrayed as themself  (as so often people wear a ‘uniform’ for work; be that literally or in some form of professional attire).

I personally like a little prom dress and high heels.  Platforms, preferably.

 (OK- we like height and structure).

Next question- What does she do ?

 I draw a lot and type things.

(So, not going to be working with small children or rock climbing on a daily basis).

Anyway, after some in depth analysis, I have finally completed the design!

A square radiant 1ct diamond in the centre (mined in Northwest Territories Canada, cut in Indian workshop to highest certified social standards ), with 2 brilliant cut 0.20ct diamonds from fair trading women’s co-operative in Lesotho, cut and polished in fair trading co-operative workshop in Surat, and 2 princess cut Scottish sapphires. (Exceptionally rare, and very beautiful, from my home country and cut by a Scottish gemologist).

The stones will be set in fair trade Platinum and the band will be ethical Rose gold, mined without cyanide or mercury to fair trade standards in Argentina.

I did have a limit on size though. I only have very tiny hands and there’s only room for so much diamond on there!

Size definitely does matter; too big and the diamond will wear you. Too small, and it’s lost and shy.

A strange contrary trend is occurring. Since the recession began ; far from seeing more modest choices  in the size of diamonds I’ve seen them increase.

 Two years ago, the average was 0.30- 0.50ct. Quality was everything. D colour, internally flawless and the setting as simple and streamlined as possible. This year, the average is more like 0.75- 1.00ct. We are creating higher over-sized settings, flamboyant devil-may-care stacking of stones and references to antique styles or unusual  family heirlooms.

The twinkle? The twinkle is critical. Interesting , fancy cuts are more popular. We’ve been using 1ct Marquise cuts, Pears and Radiants. Brilliant and Princess cuts are still considered sparkliest so are arranged on the shoulders of the ring to bring maximum twinkle.

The scattering of diamonds and gems is also a strong trend choice and makes for a very striking look.

Classically styled solitaires which ooze under-stated elegance remain eternally popular and are always a  joy to create.

So, like so many things in life, it’s what you do with it that counts. xxx