Diamonds are the world’s best friend April 29, 2012 FOR obvious reasons, most women don’t look upon their engagement ring as an investment – at least not in monetary terms – but diamonds can, and perhaps should, also be valued for their present and potential future value. A NEAR-PARAGON Diamonds are tangible, portable assets, highly concentrated in value, which offer a great opportunity to [...]
The four key criteria for getting your perfect diamond April 29, 2012 JEWELLERS use the universal four Cs – carat, colour, clarity and cut – to describe a diamond’s characteristics and assess its value. NOT JUST A QUESTION OF SIZE Carat is simply a measure of weight, not size as commonly thought. One carat (1 ct) equals 0.20 grams and is divided into 100 points, half a [...]
A riot of flowers and fish in Gauguin’s paradise April 29, 2012 What’s in Bora Bora?” I asked a frequent visitor there. “Sharks – but in a good way”, was the answer. Did that justify twenty hours flying time to French Polynesia, I wondered. A few weeks later, swimming in a lagoon so blue it looked digitally enhanced and watching grey-tipped reef sharks, I had my answer. [...]
Where tiny tots learn to chill: All hail the Baby Spa April 29, 2012 Recently, at a friend’s engagement party, another guest was telling me the details of her son’s birth within minutes of our meeting, and then that at first he only slept in 40-minute instalments and had to be strapped to her chest 24/7. She then whipped out her iPhone and showed me a video of her [...]
Yaiza! A 52-room spa, eight restaurants, six pools… April 29, 2012 If you want to feel the hot spring sun on your back and white sand between your toes, the Princesa Yaiza Suite Hotel Resort is a good place to forget European financial turmoil and completely succumb to the gods of pleasure. The sprawling but characterful 385-room resort is on the Canary Island of Lanzarote, 75 [...]
Hodgson set for England role as FA opens talks April 29, 2012 WEST BROM’S Roy Hodgson is poised to take charge of England for this summer’s European Championship after the Football Association confirmed it had opened talks with the 64-year-old. City A.M. revealed last month that FA chiefs had significantly cooled their interest in Tottenham’s Harry Redknapp, the initial favourite for the role, and were considering appointing [...]
Lucky Leinster survive late call to reach final April 29, 2012 CLERMONT AUVERGNE (15) vs LEINSTER (19) LEINSTER reached their third Heineken Cup final in four years after a thrilling semi-final victory away to Clermont. The Irish province, winners in 2009 and 2011, trailed 12-6 at half-time but survived a dramatic finish to fight back and set up a final meeting with 1999 winners Ulster. A [...]
Six appeal at the Bridge as rejuvenated Torres bags hat-trick against rivals QPR April 29, 2012 CHELSEA (6) vs QUEENS PARK RANGERS (1) CHELSEA boss Roberto Di Matteo insists his team must beat Newcastle on Wednesday night if they are to secure a top-four Premier League finish, after Fernando Torres’ first Blues hat-trick gave them all three points against west London rivals QPR yesterday. Goals from John Terry, Daniel Sturridge and [...]
Bale staying at Tottenham, says Redknapp April 29, 2012 TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR (2) vs BLACKBURN ROVERS (0) TOTTENHAM manager Harry Redknapp believes winger Gareth Bale will stay at the club after victory over Blackburn strengthened their bid to finish in the Premier League’s top four. Bale, 22, has admitted he may leave the Londoners if they fail to secure Champions League football this season, after [...]
Giggs: Let’s show why we’re top April 29, 2012 MANCHESTER United midfielder Ryan Giggs has urged his side to show Manchester City who the Premier League’s real superpower is by winning tonight’s title decider at the Etihad Stadium. City have taken 49 from a possible 51 home league points this season and, though Giggs admits their cross-city rivals are United’s biggest threat, he wants [...]