Jeweller Angela Daniel has noticed more women are buying for themselves rather than waiting for men to do so. With this in mind she's opening two Angela Daniel Jewellery stores, the first at Nuffield St tomorrow and the second in Sylvia Park on Thursday next week. The stores aim tomake shopping for rocks as feminine as possible, with planter boxes of flowers at the door, and French antique-inspired chairs and chandeliers inside.
Who are your favourite jewellers?
I love the grandeur, opulence and old-world glamour of Fred Leighton's collections and admire Australian designer Jan Logan for her ability to mix unusual stones and brilliant colour with more traditional materials.
What's your favourite piece of jewellery and why?
A 3-carat emerald-cut diamond surrounded with smaller pave-set diamonds.
What was your first piece?
A gold charm bracelet I was given for my 10th birthday. It didn't get a chance to accumulate any charms because I lost it.
Your favourite stone?
Pink diamonds. Most are only faintly pink, but natural, intense pink diamonds are rare and very beautiful.
Silver, gold or platinum?
Gold looks fantastic when mixed with warm-toned gemstones like smokey quartz and bronze pearls. Diamonds are most profound when set in platinum or white gold.
If money were no object, what piece of jewellery would you buy?
Elizabeth Taylor's 33-carat Asscher-cut diamond ring, also known as the Krupp diamond, although my finger would need to grow as it covers her knuckle to the top of her hand.
What are your rules for looking after jewellery?
I clean and polish all my jewellery. At home I use Sunlight Liquid, warm water and a soft toothbrush, which is as good as any professional method.
Do you break any of the rules for wearing your jewellery?
Maybe traditions such as wearing different metals together, like yellow gold and silver.
