'Today it's all about bold and edgy design'

Diamonds are indeed a girl's best friend but if the words of Peter Schneirla, Tiffany's chief gemmologist and world-renowned jewellery expert, are any indication, the demand for coloured gems is also on the rise. Bling is definitely in.

"Diamonds are an all-time favourite but recently many are finding the coloured stones a must-buy. Big emeralds, rubies and sapphires... the demand for it is rising. Even requests for coloured diamonds are going upward," says Schneirla. Schneirla has even set five men on a trail to find some rare sapphires for his deep-pocketed customers.

Coloured gems are not the only popular trend: many buyers are now opting for bigger and bolder designs.

"Today it's all about bold and edgy designs. Almost all of [my customers] are clear about what they want and what they are getting. For instance, our celebrity clients, especially the younger ones, give a lot of importance to the creative/designing process," says Schneirla, who declined to name names.

If his customers are excited by bolder design, then Schneirla, who has more 30 years experience in this field, is spurred on by the discovery of a new gem. On a constant lookout for rare diamonds and coloured gems, Schneirla says his three-decade long career has been marked by hits, misses and wild-goose trails.

"The discovery of a gem is a life-long source of enjoyment. But I still remember the time when we got a tip off about a very rare 10-carat diamond. But after two weeks, we realised that it was never there for sale in the first place. At the same time, I remember striking lucky in Sri Lanka and getting a magnificent diamond in no time," says Schneirla.

The discovery of a new gem may be a hit or miss process, but the purchasing process can be made a lot less cumbersome.

"One of the first things to do while buying a diamond or any other stone is to find a trusted merchant. Somebody who can educate you and tell you more about the stone that you are looking at rather than selling it to you. A background reading always helps," says Schneirla.

"The bottom line is the jewels should not be looked at as an investment alone but as getting the best value for your money"