It's a 35-carat flawless diamond worth an estimated $10 million dollars that is influencing couples across the city as they look at engagement rings.
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When news broke of billionaire James Packer’s proposal to singer Mariah Carey last month, supplies of larger diamonds across the state were snapped up, and Bathurst buyers were no exception.
Sydney-based jewellers sold out of one to two carat diamonds in a matter of weeks, and there has been plenty of interest in larger engagement rings here, as couples follow the trend.
Manager of Regency Jewellers in Bathurst Melissa Elliott said she wasn’t surprised by a recent spike in demand for larger stones given the Packer/Carey engagement, saying the demand was almost instant as soon as the news broke.
“This week alone we’ve had five clients come in wanting quotes on stones which are a minimum one carat,” she said, adding that high-profile celebrity engagements always influence people’s choices.
“At the moment everyone wants a big diamond; and they are all going for the biggest stone they can afford.
“It [Ms Carey’s ring] has definitely influenced what people want in their engagement ring.”
She said the fact that 35-carat sparkler was custom- made has also influenced what people are purchasing.
“We’ve also seen a move towards handmade pieces; our in-house jeweller Con has been absolutely frantic with appointments for engagement rings,” Ms Elliott said.
“Like Mariah’s ring, I think people like the idea of having something that’s a one off which has been designed just for them, and no one will ever have anything the same,” she said.
And, as for the 35-carat Packer Wacker, what are Ms Elliott’s thoughts on the engagementring?
“I just think wow,” she said. “Who wouldn’t want it?”
“Although 35-carats might be a little big, I wouldn’t say no,” she laughed.