You must have come across some spectacular jewellery. What’s your most memorable?

“We come into contact with some beautiful jewellery, from Victorian antiques to modern day masterpieces, which never fails to excite me. However, I was lucky enough to appraise some exquisite items belonging to the late and wonderful Elizabeth Taylor. This included a breathtaking sapphire and diamond necklace and earring set, mounted in platinum and beautifully proportioned.”

With so many covetable items in your stores; do you have a favourite piece you would most like to own?

“One piece that came into our hands was a Bvlgari vintage diamond set Parentesi necklace. I’ve loved Bvlgari ever since I watched Casino back in the Nineties, when Sharon Stone’s character was presented with a large box full of the most beautiful gem-set Bvlgari jewellery. This was the first time I’d ever seen the necklace, so I was excited to have one in store to appraise. Sadly, I didn’t get to keep it for myself as it sold very quickly. They are so rare.”

When investing in high-end jewellery, what do you believe should be considered first?

“Look for a timeless classic to add to your collection, like the Cartier Love Bracelet. First released in 1969 by designer Aldo Cipullo, it was inspired by the idea of everlasting love and the symbolic locking of two people together. Today the Cartier Love Bracelet is still one of the most desired jewellery pieces and is available in multiple variations depending on your budget.” 

What other names are no-fail investments?

“You will always reap rewards with Italian powerhouse, Bvlgari, especially collections like the Serpenti or B.Zero1. The B.Zero1 design pays homage to the Colosseum in Rome and again comes in many variations to choose from. Classics like these will always be popular, so they are a great investment — and the quality is undeniable. These pieces are designed to last.”

Is keeping packaging important?

“It is the most important thing to remember when you purchase a high-end piece, so keep everything that comes with your jewellery. So many people discard packaging such as the box, bag and ribbon — even the receipt — but it’s worth remembering that should you ever wish to sell it in the future, the packaging and receipt means you will get a better return.”

Do you recommend perusing pre-loved markets?

“Yes; always check the pre-loved market first. Some of the Cartier Love Bracelet models increased in price by five to eight percent in September 2025 — and this was the second price increase of the year. This is largely due to the price of gold, which is predicted to go even higher. When buying pre-loved go to a reputable company like ours, where vigorous checks are made to ensure authenticity. Also, consider what comes with the piece, like a certificate of authenticity or an original purchase receipt. You can always check hallmarks and makers’ marks yourself by investing in a jeweller’s loupe.”

Finally, before investing, do you have a golden rule to stick to?

“If something seems too good to be true, it likely is. Sadly, we see many customers duped into buying something for a fraction of the market value, only to discover the piece isn’t genuine. You can always check to see how the item you are interested in is listed elsewhere. If you see a Van Cleef vintage Alhambra bracelet up for sale on the pre-loved market for £1,200, that would be an amazing deal. But if other places have them listed between £3,000 and £4,000, this should be a red flag.”

Disclaimer: This article is for editorial purposes only and should not be regarded as financial advice. Prices and values may fluctuate, and independent professional advice is recommended before making investment decisions.

The post Here’s How To Curate a Classic and Timeless Fine Jewellery Collection appeared first on Best of Living.

What makes certain whiskies so expensive?

“An old whisky matured for a long time before it was bottled, or one bottled a long time ago. A high age statement costs a fair amount of money, as will anything before the Nineties. Over that time, it will have developed a lot of flavour and character: a drop of liquid history, frozen in time.”

What should I collect?

“Anything hard to get or limited in supply. Bottles from silent distilleries like Littlemill or Caperdonich are costly because those whiskies will never be made again. The same goes for novelty and uniqueness, like the one Frank Sinatra gave to a doorman as a tip.”

What is secondary market whisky?

“Here, people buy whisky they know will be in-demand and flip at a higher cost in auctions. It can be a cyclical market too: the more money a whisky sells for on the secondary market, the more it will make in the future, as people want to cash in on how much it will go for at auction.”

How much could I pay?

“In 2019 The Macallan Fine & Rare 1926 60-year-old single malt set a world record for a bottle, fetching £1.5 million at auction [this world record has since been beaten by the same spirit at £2.1 million].”

Why is single malt more expensive?

“It’s made from 100% malted barley, distilled at a single distillery in pot stills and aged in oak barrels for a minimum of three years. The flavour tends to reflect the unique characteristics of the distillery’s location and production methods, too.”

Does expensive whisky taste better?

“Here, it’s important to note that price does not always equal quality. Neither does age or prestige. None of the above means much if a whisky isn’t to your taste. Ultimately that’s what whisky is about. Taste is subjective.”

Ready to invest? Here’s four whiskies to add to your collection before they’re gone:

Glenfarclas Family Case Trunk 1000cl – £115,000

This trunk is a spectacular addition to the Glenfarclas’ Family Cask collection, believed to be the most expansive single collection ever released by one distillery. It contains every vintage made by the Speyside distillery between 1954 and 2003 – 50 200ml bottles of Glenfarclas goodness.

Midleton 47 Year Old Silent Distillery Collection Chapter Three 75cl – £32,995

The Midleton Very Rare Silent Distillery Collection is made up of some of the last surviving casks distilled at the Old Midleton Distillery in Cork. Chapter Three in the collection is a single pot still Irish whiskey taken from two casks, an ex-sherry butt, and an ex-bourbon barrel, both of which were distilled in 1973.

Visit www.masterofmalt.com

Glen Grant 1948 (cask 1365) King Charles III Coronation Release (Gordon & MacPhail 70cl) – £24,995

Marking King Charles’ III coronation and hailing from the Glen Grant distillery, this single malt was distilled in 1948, the birth year of King Charles, then filled in a sherry cask to mature. Despite over seven decades of maturation, the spirit retained a hearty cask strength of 50.4% ABV upon bottling in 2022.

The Dalmore 45 Year Old 1966 (cask 7) Constellation Collection 70cl – £22,999.95

This 45-year-old expression was first aged in an American white oak ex-bourbon cask for 37 years – but that just wasn’t enough for the Dalmore team. They then moved the whisky over to a Matusalem Oloroso sherry cask for six years, and then finally two more years in a bourbon barrel.

Disclaimer: This feature is for editorial purposes only and should not be regarded as financial advice. Prices, product details and availability were correct at the time of publication but may be subject to change. The value of whisky or any collectable may rise or fall, and readers are encouraged to seek independent professional advice before making investment decisions. Best of Living supports mindful enjoyment of alcohol – please drink responsibly. For guidance and support, visit drinkaware.co.uk.

The post Why Now’s the Right Time to Invest in These Super-luxe Whiskies appeared first on Best of Living.