Keep your relationships on the rocks

There is a primal pleasure to be had in rooting through one's baubles. In childhood I used to rummage, round-mouthed, in my mother's jewel box. I see this reliquary still: matriarchal engagement rings, a Diana-blue sapphire from a lost love and the disjecta of five small lives - milk teeth, house badges, beads wept over yet never restrung. The goal was always to carry off a trophy, to pull off a baton-pass between generations. Just so do I nowadays fill my own casket with magpie wares for little fingers to make off with.

At present, a consummation most devoutly being wished by the jewellery industry is the mooted sale at auction of the late Elizabeth Taylor's collection: not least, the pieces she amassed during her on-off-on-off trystage with Richard Burton.

The overture to this great romance was played out against the backdrop of Rome - and particularly Bulgari's store on Via Condotti - during the two years Burton and Taylor spent filming Cleopatra. In February 1962, Eddie Fisher attempted to woo his wayward wife with 30.97 carats of Bulgari.

Burton trumped his rival by whisking his co-star to the same emporium. Here she acquired an emerald and diamond parure; and with it, a new husband.

Burton used to present Taylor with what she referred to as her "It's Tuesday, I love you" pieces. His "It's your 40th birthday, I love you" gift was a sautoir with a 65-carat Burmese sapphire of conkeresque proportions.

How does one encourage such largesse? The answer, if Taylor's autoblingography My Love Affair with Jewelry is to be believed, is that she simply asked. Of course, much depends on the way one asks. Quoth our heroine: "I would… practically make love to him in Bulgari."

There will be those who regard this behaviour as fabulously epic; for others it may smack of the courtesan. Either way, a good many of those attending the auction of Taylor's $150 million (£94 million) booty at Christie's New York (the date has yet to be announced) will be women intent on securing swag for themselves: in particular the notorious Right Hand Ring.

This concept - like most such twinkling sales notions - originated with De Beers. In 1947 it gave us the legend: "A diamond is forever." Sixty years later, it transpired that this was an interval somewhat longer than most marriages. Moreover, not even the promise of a sparkly knuckleduster was enough to bribe certain women into wedlock in these freewheeling times.

So the wily rockbrokers expanded the diamond's romantic myth-kitty to accommodate the idea of self-love. Or, by their Sesame Street logic: "Your left hand says 'we'. Your right hand says 'me'.

Want to Sell Your 1 Carat Diamond Ring Online? Proceed … But With ...

Whether it be a broken engagement or needing extra cash, there are always reasons why some people will need to sell a diamond ring. With the increasing growth and convenience of the Internet, many are opting to sell jewelry online instead of visiting a pawn shop. Craigslist classifieds are a great way to sell jewelry.  However, before placing an ad, there are some surprising things sellers need to be aware of in order to ensure it is a safe transaction.

Online classifieds can be a fantastic and affordable way to sell jewelry. Many people report getting more money by selling online than going through pawn shops (considered to be a last resort). With the economic downturn, it can be a win-win situation for both the buyer and seller.

Here are a few crucial tips to help before placing your ad:

Showcase the ring in the best possible lighting and ensure there are no shadows. It’s surprising how many unflattering, dark and poor quality pictures of diamond rings there are out there–and many ads with no pictures at all.  Make sure you have pictures from all angles, one set in a jewelry box and one on the hand. Take some time to make it look professional and play around with different camera settings.

Chances are you will come across some scam artists wanting to buy your ring. One of the most popular scams involves overseas “buyers” requesting, often times in broken English, to send money via wire transfer or Paypal. Sometimes they even produce fake Paypal emails indicating they put money into your account with a stolen credit card. Avoid these “buyers” at all costs and insist on cash upfront for the purchase.

This will give both the seller and the potential buyer the most accurate price range and ensure the quality of the diamond. Most smart shoppers will ask to view the diamond’s grading certificate in order to compare prices and ensure the validity of the stone. Getting these things together will not only ensure you are a credible seller, but also help you get the most for the jewelry.

If using local classified ads or Craigslist, never give out your full name or address. If your email address has your full name in it, set up a generic email address to protect your identity.

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