Vanafi tells us all about diamonds

By Cathy Quiogue

How does one translate abstract expressions like love, trust, and happiness into objects of lasting beauty and, well, something as tangible as magnificent jewelry? Ask Vanessa Figueroa, the hardworking fifth-generation heiress who has parlayed her dreams into a successful jewelry business of her own with the same indomitable will that once made her great-grandparents the top diamond suppliers in the country.

From a single airport kiosk, VANAFI has now grown into five boutiques in six years, which Figueroa has positioned as the premiere showcase for world-renowned brands like Hearts On Fire, The World’s Most Perfectly Cut Diamond, and Stefan Hafner’s high-end Italian jewelry, both of which they exclusively distribute; as well as a showcase for its main line and in-house designer brand like Vanafi Signature Collection that is all about Filipino creativity and craftsmanship at its signature best.

Striving to provide the same level and degree of service to all their clients, VANAFI also lets the quality of its diamonds and metal speak for themselves. “We at VANAFI believe that you must always start with the best first, no matter what the size of the stone is. You can have a very good design but if you use the ugliest make of stones, the result will not be as beautiful. On the other hand, you can have a small stone but if it’s superlatively cut, it shines and performs much better to the eye,” Figueroa explains.

To this end, VANAFI only uses white to exceptionally white Belgian diamonds set in a wide assortment of matching wedding bands and eternity bands in platinum, white, yellow and rose gold, which has given them a reputation for quality diamond jewelry. Of their quality, Figueroa says that “For the discriminating who wants to have individuality and uniqueness, we pride ourselves in making one of the best mountings in the industry, if not the best. The care and the attention to detail are very apparent and evident in every VANAFI bridal ring.”

Their service also includes resetting and remounting heirloom pieces, sometimes changing them completely to reflect the owner’s modern design. Beyond the aesthetic value, they also take into consideration the wearer’s comfort and safety for years to come.

For customized rings, a lead time of three to six weeks, and up to eight weeks (for platinum rings), is necessary. “It can be much shorter than that but just like a dress or a gown, we must go through the whole process from design to production to fitting and adjustments if needed, with the client. After all, this is being custom-made for her and him,” reasons Figueroa. “Our success in making the correct ring for a client depends largely on the cooperation, collaboration, and communication between us and our clients. Individual needs and tastes vary that is why we need to understand their lifestyle demands first in order to execute their designs well,” she elaborates further.

Any jewelry is subject to wear and tear, so ideally you must have your rings checked “every 18 to 24 months not only for scratches on the metal,  but also for security of the mounting as it may need some buffing or dipping plus adjustment of the prongs if any,” advises Figueroa.” She adds that “You can also later upgrade your serialized Hearts On Fire diamonds, whether these are mounted or loose. For example, you may upgrade your 1-carat solitaire to a 3-carat ring 10 years later and offset the difference.”

Regarding post-sale services, Figueroa emphatically states that VANAFI’s thrust is service—they make every effort to make their clients happy and satisfied while setting a standard for the rest to follow. “We are not a one-time transaction store—we strive to build relationships with all our clients. We stand by all our products and we are happy to check the jewelry regularly.” Summarizing VANAFI, she states, “We are a fusion of your high-street jeweler as well as your personal jeweler. We represent some of the best brands in the world and we have a dedicated staff to service your every customized jewelry needs.”

Love, trust, and happiness are not just intangible expressions to the VANAFI people; they have made it their business to encapsulate these into timeless works of artistry and craftsmanship of uncompromising quality.