IN HER FABULOUS FRENCH MANSION VALERIE MESSIKA IS ON SPARKLING FORM AS SHE TELLS WHY DIAMONDS REALLY SHOULD BE A GIRL’S BEST FRIEND
Valérie Messika grew up surrounded by diamonds, literally. Her father André is one of the world’s most important dealers, who travels far and wide searching out the finest stones for his clients. As far back as Valérie can remember, her home was full of diamonds. She played with diamonds, not dolls. “Yes,” she says, smiling. “I’ve always been around them. But it wasn’t until I was ten or so that I began to study them. It was like a game back then. My father showed me how to discover their qualities, the tiny flaws, the brilliance.” ‘Fear stifles imagination. I don’t have it — I was born bursting with creativity’ Her familiarity with the gems means she feels freer handling them than many jewellers, who are intimidated by their mystique. She says: “That fear stifles…
