Photo (top): Jeweler: Edès Fine Jewelry - Photographer: Valeriya Maltsava Photography
Article in collaboration with Edès Fine Jewelry
A personal conversation as the starting point
During an initial meeting, Olivia takes the time to listen to the couple’s wishes and explains the approach of Edès Fine Jewelry. “We like to welcome clients at our office. Together, we look at whether we start from an existing design that we adapt to your preferences, or from a fully bespoke design. In both cases, everything is transparent and entirely handled in Antwerp.”
What diamond quality really means
To bring clarity to what is often a technical story, Olivia then guides couples through the four Cs: Carat, Color, Clarity and Cut. “We explain what each criterion means and what impact it has, so couples understand where they can potentially adjust.”
“First, we look at carat: that refers to the weight of the diamond correlated with the diamond’s size—between 0.5 and 5 carats there’s a world of difference.
In terms of color, we usually work within the range from D to G, which is considered high on the official grading scale.
For Clarity, we recommend diamonds above the ‘Piqué’ category. From SI2 and higher, inclusions aren’t visible to the naked eye. For many couples, that’s a comfortable balance between quality and budget.
Finally, Cut—or the quality of the cut—is crucial: an ‘Excellent’ or ‘Very Good’ cut brings light, fire and life to the diamond.”
According to Olivia, it’s important to consider these four elements together. “If you need to make choices within a certain budget, we recommend focusing on a beautiful color, sufficient clarity and strong cut parameters. That determines the visual result.”
Misconceptions about price and value
Many couples think diamonds are unaffordable. “That’s not true,” Olivia nuances, “By making smart choices within the four Cs, a lot remains possible. Shape also plays a major role. An oval diamond looks larger than a round one with the same carat weight. That can be a deliberate visual choice. The same applies to a ‘halo’, where smaller diamonds around the center stone create an enlarging effect.”
There are also misconceptions about lab-grown diamonds. Olivia clarifies: “Visually, they are identical to naturally mined diamonds. The difference lies in scarcity and long-term value. Lab-grown diamonds aren’t scarce and retain their value less well on resale. Natural diamonds derive their value precisely from that scarcity.”
A diamond that suits the wearer
The right diamond is always personal. “We start from the style of the person who will wear the ring,” says Olivia. “Those who love organic, soft lines are often drawn to oval or rounded shapes. Those who prefer a clean, structured aesthetic tend to choose rectangular cuts more quickly. Then we look at details such as colors, extra stones and finishes suited to the occasion. It helps enormously when couples share their budget from the start; that way we can make much more targeted proposals.”
Thanks to their extensive stock, couples at Edès Fine Jewelry can view and compare different stones side by side. “In addition to diamonds, we also work with colored gemstones and fancy yellow diamonds. The latter fall into a separate—and often more expensive—category,” Olivia adds.
Advice for choosing your jeweler
Based on her experience, Olivia shares a few key tips for choosing your jeweler and jewelry. She first emphasizes the importance of visiting a jeweler in person: “The beauty and quality of jewelry come through much better when you can see it physically. It also gives you a better feel for the piece. If you don’t know a jeweler yet, I therefore recommend stopping by in person rather than shopping online.”
In addition, trust is essential, Olivia shares: “Choose a jeweler you feel comfortable with and who understands your story. Work with someone who is personally a member of an Antwerp diamond exchange, such as the Antwerp Diamond Club, where my dad and I are members. Those memberships come with strict ethical rules and a strong sense of personal responsibility. Lastly, always ask for a certificate for the center stone, preferably from GIA or HRD.”
Five generations of craftsmanship in Antwerp
- Edès Fine Jewelry builds on five generations of diamond expertise. Olivia works closely with her father, who has been active as a diamond expert for more than forty years. “My dad focuses on the diamonds, I focus on the design. That combination allows us to manage the entire journey ourselves in the heart of Antwerp. That way we can adapt an existing model to your wishes - everything is possible: if, for example, you prefer a different stone or a different finish, we can go very far in personalization. Or we can create a fully bespoke design, from scratch_.”_
Foto’s: Juwelier: Edès Fine Jewelry - Fotograaf: Valeriya Maltsava Photography About Edès Fine Jewelry
Edès Fine Jewelry guides couples in choosing jewelry with a strong focus on quality, transparency and personal support. The entire process takes place in Antwerp, backed by generations of craftsmanship and a strong sense of responsibility toward the product and the customer.
Foto: Juwelier: Edès Fine Jewelry - Fotograaf: Valeriya Maltsava Photography Read more about this topic via these links:
- 8 tips for choosing your perfect wedding rings
- A modern wedding ring on your finger
- How to personalize your wedding ring!
