More than just head-turning fashion statements, the value of fine jewellery tends to hold its own for generations.迷你倉庫 By May YipWHEN it comes to luxury splurges, women the world over often gravitate towards stylish head turners like the status bag. But sometimes such swish purchases come with equally staggering price tags, which could incite moments of headline-making blunders.Just earlier this week, Oprah Winfrey revealed during a TV interview that when she had asked to see a US$38,000 Tom Ford handbag at a boutique in Zurich, she was told by the sales assistant she probably couldn't afford it. Later, the media maven tweeted, "Turns out the store clerk did me a favour. Just found out that bag was $38,000. She was right I was not going to buy it."But unlike big ticket buys such as bags commanding five-figure prices, outr?m heels, fabulous cocktail dresses or designer costume accessories, which often depreciate in value, fine jewellery qualifies as a true investment buy that even intelligent shoppers like Winfrey would appreciate."The notion of investing in jewellery has been something we heard about more and more in the past five to six years, after the recession in Europe and the US," said Nicolas Bos, president and CEO of Van Cleef & Arpels. "That dimension, which has always been strong with jewellery, has really reappeared. It's the pleasure of wearing a piece, the pleasure of gifting, coupled with the value of the jewel which is retained over time."When it comes to seeking coveted additions to their wardrobes, many shoppers also find it easier to justify the price tag on classic bling rather than seasonal accessories."I think investing in fine jewellery is a savvier splurge," said homemaker Leslie Hewlett, who considers a reversible necklace with diamonds on one side and sapphires on the other by homegrown jeweller Simone Ng as her most valuable piece. "Shoes and handbags tend to be trendy, while jewellery is timeless. Fine jewellery can be passed down to future generations while shoes and handbags end up in thrift shops."Indeed, diamonds - as well as other precious stones and metals - are a girl's best friend more than ever before. Back in April, auction house Christie's sold a 34.65-carat pink diamond - about the size of a thumbnail - for US$39.3 million. It actually exceeded the price fetched for a prized artwork, Andy Warhol's Four Marilyns, which sold for US$38.3 million in May."Everybody knows that stones hold value as an investment in the long term," said Yvon Neo, director of a travel and property company who enjoys collecting jewellery. "To me, buying fine jewellery is a smart investment, just like land in Singapore, which is getting harder to get nowadays anyway."After all, jewellery serves as a creative and mobile alternative to other diversified assets. One could hardly walk around with bullion or a pop art canvas hanging around one's neck. But bling serves as wearable investments that could be flaunted, stored or even toted with ease."We've had some interesting discussions with customers relating dramatic family histories, which involved having to escape from something bad and realising that jewellery is something you can grab and take with you," said Mr Bos. "Jewellery isn't going to be outdated in the following month or year. It holds its value."Want to learn how to capitalise on your latest fashion acquisition? Here are expert tips on picking out jewellery that shines in more ways than one:Pretty and prizedWhile investors (the majority of jewellery investors are, interestingly enough, men) may be sourcing diamonds and coloured gems as pure investments, specialists advise collectors to pick pieces that rank high on both aesthetics and value. "The most important thing is to buy what you like," said curator of Bulgari's Corporate Historical Archives Amanda Triossi, who is also a jewellery historian and former head of the Sotheby's jewellery department. "Jewels are created to be worn and enjoyed."And as much as jewellery purchases are almost always emotionally charged, often to mark special occasions, Singapore-based private jeweller Simone Ng echoes the belief that consumers should consider the quality and design of a creation before swiping that credit card."Often, a valuable gemstone isn't complemented with a good design; and if the design is not good, it will not bring out the best in the gemstone," said Ms Ng, executive creat儲存ve director of seven-year-old label Simone Jewels."This is why in every piece that I design, I try to merge a rare gemstone with a one of a kind design, ensuring it is very wearable. I often advise my customers to enjoy wearing the jewellery instead of just keeping it in the safebox. It wouldn't be an ideal piece of jewellery if one cannot enjoy both the investment and aesthetic aspects of it."Quality controlTake time to learn about stones or even a period of jewellery that you like. Consider taking a short course in, say gemology. Otherwise, go with a trusted jeweller with a flawless reputation. "If you are not a gemologist, you have to rely on the advice of experts because you will not be in the position to detect if the materials used in a piece are genuine or not," said Ms Triossi. "You can get the feel of an item's value with a bit of market research. Even if you were to buy a pair of shoes or a new property, you would look at similar products across the board."Buying from established, preferably historical jewellery houses provide a degree of assurance. Otherwise, be sure to consult close relatives or friends for recommendations of reliable jewellers. "The biggest advantage of going to a personal jeweller would be the time, attention and commitment given to every detail the customer desires," said Ms Ng, who has a HRD Antwerp Certified Diamond Grader diploma."This includes educating the customer on how to identify a good stone; styling tips on what design suits them and how to wear them; understanding their lifestyle and purpose of piece and of course customised budgeting. Also, as we don't have heavy retail overheads, there is no additional cost factored into our pricing."As Ms Triossi added: "As with any other investment, I can't expect to buy stones and immediately make a profit, so it is better to buy something you like of great quality. At least you get enjoyment from the piece."Signature styleDuring a retrospective of Bulgari's most memorable designs held at its Takashimaya Shopping Centre store in July, Ms Triossi waxed lyrical about a sapphire and diamond sautoir that Richard Burton had bought for Elizabeth Taylor for her 40th birthday. Although the 52.7-carat sapphire design was bought for US$5.9 million at a Christie's auction of the movie star's jewels, as compared to another Bulgari highlight - a $6.1 million platinum necklace that Burton had presented to Taylor upon their marriage, which comprises 16 Colombian emeralds totalling 60.5 carats, the curator explained how the sautoir is more representative of the house's style. "It's a quintessential Bulgari piece, this sautoir, with its rounded, symmetrical magnificence. Because in the 60s, Bulgari came into its own in terms of design. It was using soft cabochons, for example, not angular stones."Similarly, when buying from a jewellery house or investing in estate or vintage pieces, select designs that are representative of the marque or period. "If it's an iconic design, it's like an important painting," said Mr Bos. "That's the trend you can see on the market - a demand for signature pieces that don't need a logo to be very recognisable."When it comes to Van Cleef & Arpels jewellery, Mr Bos recommends pieces that employ the Mystery Setting technique - whereby stones are set without visible prongs; the Zip Necklace and creations with butterfly, bird or ballerina motifs.The rarer the betterAs a general rule, rare baubles tend to gain more value over time. "For better value, always go for a stone that is more rare, of a better quality and in a better colour - rather than just size," said Ms Ng. "For example, a one carat fancy light pink diamond may cost as much as a 0.30-carat fancy vivid pink diamond. Although many may be tempted to buy the bigger stone, in this case, the 0.30-carat holds better value due to its rarity in colour."While bigger diamonds seem to have been selling better than, say, flawless ones, in most parts of the world, most specialists agree that any kind of stand-out piece - whether in terms of design, heritage or intrinsic value of the materials, makes for a sensible buy."It's also true for artworks, when you see a great disconnect with an exceptional piece and everything else," said Mr Bos. "Anything average doesn't hold its value, so you want exceptional stones, or signed jewellery. And also make sure that what you've got is the real thing."btnews@sph.com.sg新蒲崗迷你倉
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