set that cohost Boy Abunda insisted she pay in one go. (Photos by Alanah Torralba)
CONSTANTLY seen around the neck of Kris Aquino these days are two sets of colorless diamond necklaces that the “Queen of All Media” said she plans to wear forever.
The shorter one is a My Diamond “illusion” necklace, named after the technique of putting together three (usually) round diamonds to create a piece that looks like a heart when viewed from afar.
The “hearts” in Kris’ necklace are strung together with white gold for a dramatic look.
Below this is a longer, white gold number peppered with pavé diamonds, also from My Diamond, that Kris’ cohost Boy Abunda insisted she pay in one go, instead of installment.
My Diamond is a Filipino jewelry brand famous for its world-class and award-winning pieces, and a reputation for honest grading based on standards set by the Gemological Institute of America (GIA).
“Since I was young, I have had a fascination with jewelry, lahat ng kakikayan,” Kris admits at a press launch last Wednesday.
When her mother, former President Cory Aquino, was in her 60s, Kris recalls asking for the engagement ring that Cory received from her then fiancé, Sen. Benigno Aquino Jr.
According to Kris, her paternal grandmother Aurora Aquino was the ring’s original owner. Doña Aurora passed it on to Ninoy when he asked for Cory’s hand.
“I said, ‘Mom, ’yung engagement ring from Dad, mine na lang. Let’s just buy a new one for Noy (her brother, now President Aquino),” she recounts.
Purchase his own
Kris explains that her bachelor brother could always purchase his own or pick another ring from among the family’s other heirloom pieces—in the event that he gets engaged.
Besides, she is the youngest child and her son, Bimby, is the youngest grandson. He would need Doña Aurora’s ring to give to his future fiancé.
“That heirloom piece that came from the mom of my dad, to my mom and then to me, I preserved the elevated setting that is no longer in fashion these days. I wear it only when I need strength, when there are moments you need to channel the positive energy and all,” Kris says.
Heart-shaped diamonds are an “obsession,” she admits.
“I really like hearts, although I was warned to avoid heart-shaped diamonds when purchasing an engagement ring. Even my sisters told me about that, kasi may point. Ate (Ballsy Aquino-Cruz) is 32 years married, Pinky (Aquino-Abellada) is 30 years married and Viel (Aquino-Dee) is 27 years married, so baka they’re correct,” the youngest presidential sister notes.
My Diamond apparently has taken notice of Kris’ love affair with jewelry. Considered one of the company’s loyal clients, Kris is now the face of My Diamond’s “Choose True Brilliance” campaign.
Certification
Apart from the traditional four Cs of cut, color, carat and clarity used in measuring a diamond’s quality, My Diamond emphasizes certification or the process of acquiring a solid guarantee from reputed gemologists of the quality of diamonds it sells.
Kris now regrets that she was not very particular about diamond certification when she was just starting out in show business.
She recalls buying a pair of earrings from an alajera that, when later examined under the light and against a flat white background, displayed a yellowish tinge.
Kris says she has already traded those earrings and all other jewelry that did not come with GIA certification.
My Diamond business unit manager Cat Paulino observes that clients, mostly empowered Filipino women, usually buy jewelry to mark special occasions, personal accomplishments or even something as simple as “a good day.”
Like most My Diamond fans, Kris buys jewelry to mark occasions. The fiercely frank actress-host-endorser candidly admits to a group of lifestyle journalists that she buys when she is “sad” and when she needs to be reminded that she has survived a crisis.
Colorless stones
After her marriage to basketball superstar James Yap was annulled years ago, Kris bought a bracelet with diamonds graded either E or F by the GIA. Such type of diamonds are colorless stones best set in either white gold or platinum to showcase their brilliance.
“It wasn’t a My Diamond bracelet, but I bought it then to remind me na ’wag kang tatanga-tanga ulit.’ It has heart-, oval-, round-, princess-cut and emerald-shaped pairs of diamonds that can be reset later and turned into earrings,” she says.
Nowadays, Kris puts a good part of her earnings into buying diamonds that would mark accomplishments. “I buy my own diamonds,” she stresses.
Her profit share in the film “Sisterakas,” for example, was used to purchase a necklace. Her share from “My Little Bossings” went to a diamond-encrusted watch. The box-office success of “Feng Shui 2” called for a new pair of diamond earrings.
“Now I am very particular about certification. I have read up on GIA certification. You must make sure the cut is excellent. Later on, natuto na akong maghanap at humingi ng certificate,” Kris says.
The actress points out that a certification is one of the most practical things for any jewelry lover to hang on to.
“There are certain realities in life you have to prepare for, like a serious illness in the family. No matter how rich you are, you might need to unload. Mas madali mag-unload when your jewelry is certified, and there is a lesser chance na malulugi ka,” she says.
Kris adds that her prerequisites for jewelry are simple: Choose something you would enjoy wearing, not something you’d rather lock up in a vault.
“Everybody I work with who is connected to styling says choose a major piece like a necklace, earrings or a cuff. But huwag sabay-sabay. Ako talaga, I am afraid to look like a Christmas tree,” she says.
And, she adds, one should save for quality. “Don’t buy jewelry because you think it’s a bargain, kasi ’di mo naman masusuot. Buy what you love. Feel the passion for it or none at all. Don’t get carried away by sales talk. Jewelry is so personal.
“When your heartbeat skips, take it. Enjoy it, live it, love it,” Kris says.
She adds that she now scouts for jewelry she will wear into her senior years. “These necklaces,” she says, touching the My Diamond pieces around her neck, “will never go out of style.”