Find the perfect diamonds for your personality

If you're trying to match your accessories with a rock 'n' roll personality, cluster or pave settings may give you the sparkle you're looking for without having to use outrageously expensive, large stones. Platinum is the new must-have metal for today's celebrity A-listers. So, choosing the lustrous white metal may give you that extra cachet that you crave.

The Tomboy
If you covet comfort more than couture, it doesn't mean that you can't carry off a diamond or two. Whether you prefer sneakers to stilettos, or just appreciate menswear staples such as tweeds, argyles, and neckties in your wardrobe, there is no reason to eschew fine jewellery. Do you favour trouser suits to wrap dresses or claim fedoras and baseball caps as daily accessories? Is your regular jewellery wardrobe honed down to a simple wristwatch or a small pendant on a chain? If you are a Tomboy, you might think that diamonds are too flashy for your lifestyle, but, rest assured, there are ways to make a statement while retaining understatement.

Women in the tomboy category can look to settings that are traditionally popular in men's jewellery, such as the flat-top or gypsy settings. Used with wider bands, they give a substantial look, while remaining clean and understated. If your watch is your must-wear accessory, consider a style that is embellished with a few small, round brilliants around the face. And diamond brooches or tie clips can turn any trouser suit or blazer into a study in elegance.

The Romantic
Pastels or florals may charm you, or maybe vintage details make up your most prized possessions. Even what you buy new has a touch of the Old World: a wool jacket with carved Bakelite buttons, a tablecloth trimmed in antique lace, or a chandelier strung with turn-of-the-century glass beads. If you're dressing up, you might tend towards the flowing, feminine feel of chiffons, or you might opt for princessy layers or sweet ruffles. Your jewels might have come straight from your grandmother's vault: strands of layered pearls and beads, cameos, and brooches adorn your favourite ensembles.

To accentuate your feminine style, explore Old-World diamond cuts such as the rose, Asscher, and old mine for a vintage look that is back in vogue. While these cuts don't create as much brilliance as newer styles, their elegance is undeniable. To re-create authentic vintage jewellery, create your pieces from platinum. Platinum's amazing malleability allows for detailed designs, including hand carving that will give your diamond jewellery added personality.

Buy your own copy of A Girl's Guide to Buying Diamonds by Randi Molofsky, published by Quarry, £12.99