“The diamond has to speak to you,” Tessera Chief Executive Officer Carl Fider confidently gave this tip to anyone who intends to buy the precious stone.
More than the 4 Cs (cut, color, clarity, and carat) that universally serve as gauge for value, the jewelry brand owner emphasized the importance of personal connection when making a diamond purchase. This is something he and his wife learned from over a decade of being in the jewelry business.
“My husband Carl and I started Tessera ten years ago, just the two of us, trying to find our luck in business,” Papat Fider, Tessera co-founder and sales director, introduced the brand’s story at an intimate launch at the Manila House Private Club last Tuesday, July 26.
“We started doing customized and personalized accessories made of silver and gold. That’s why the name Tessera was born,” she added.
Apparently, tessera is a kind of tile used by the Romans in constructing their mosaics back in the day.
In 2016, the local jewelry brand evolved into selling diamonds due to steady demand.
“Until now, our focus remains on diamonds. We are the brand offering the widest selection of internationally certified diamonds and diamond jewelry pieces in the market,” Papat said.
The lady boss happily revealed that as the brand continues to expand, she and her husband gave in to the idea of tapping a celebrity endorser. While they previously had second thoughts about associating an expensive brand with just anyone, the couple could not be more thrilled now to have found their match in celebrity wife and mother Sarah Lahbati.
“She is the perfect definition of a Tessera lady,” Papat said. Her husband Carl added, “She is strong and sparkling.” A Tessera lady, as defined by the owners, is someone who aspires great things in life, celebrates the small and big things, and carries herself with beauty and class in whatever role she portrays – be it a mom, a wife, an entrepreneur, a boss, or a leader. Dolled up in her figure-hugging emerald green dress and indeed sparkling with diamond pieces, Sarah looked every inch the woman of substance being described.
Aside from expressing her gratitude for being the first-ever endorser of Tessera, Sarah also shared how excited she is to be working with a brand she believes in. She has faith in the value of what it is selling. “Unlike expensive shoes, bags, and dresses that go out of style, diamonds will never go out of style. It’s something you can wear with anything every day or at special events. I think it’s such a smart investment for women and men to make nowadays,” Sarah emphasized.
In her case, the first piece of diamond jewelry Sarah bought for herself is a bracelet. She described it as something she would love to give her future daughter one day. “It’s from Tessera. It’s this beautiful bracelet right here,” Sarah smilingly shared and lifted her wrist to show the diamond-studded piece gleaming from afar. “I wear this everyday whether at soccer with the kids, motocross riding, or camping. If I’m not wearing this dress and looking like this, the diamonds will elevate the look.”
“I love learning about diamonds and working with Papat and Carl, as well as with Tita Annabelle, who has always loved diamonds,” Sarah fondly acknowledged her mother-in-law Annabelle Rama who came to support her at the launch. The former actress-turned-talent manager is the wife of Philippine movie icon Eddie Gutierrez and mom to media personalities Ruffa, Raymond, and Sarah’s husband, Richard Gutierrez.
“Tita Annabelle is one to know an investment piece and she would always advise that it is a good investment,” Sarah said and quickly squeezed in the heartwarming trivia that aside from her husband Richard, her mother-in-law gifted her with diamond rings for Christmas even before getting engaged and married. The usually feisty celebrity mom sweetly smiled in response.
More than just a girl’s best friend
“During the early ‘90s, the price per carat of a diamond is around P20,000. So, now, it’s about P200,000 a carat,” CEO Carl explained in detail as I asked if he could elaborate more on diamonds being a wise investment. “It has been proven over the decades that the diamond prices go up,” he said. Lifestyle personality and the event’s host Marie Lozano reinforced an earlier statement that diamonds did not decrease in value even in the midst of the COVID-19 crisis.
Before the event was wrapped up, Annabelle chimed in and gave her insights in the vernacular, “I am in love with diamonds because after two years, or even just six months or a year, the value goes higher and higher.” She revealed how her diamond investment came in handy when the pandemic kicked in and the family income was affected. Annabelle enacted her “brilliant” idea.
“I had to sell one diamond for a value that was good for two years [of expenses] for me. I sold my 13-carat diamond and kept my bank savings intact. Every time I travel, I buy diamonds,” Annabelle said. Sarah jokingly suggested Tessera for her mother-in-law’s next diamond purchase. The Gutierrez matriarch took it seriously and told the Tessera owners, “If my house gets sold, I’ll buy from you.” The guests burst into laughter.
Taking it from the experts’ tips and insights, diamonds are more than just a girl’s best friend or a woman’s fascination for luxury. Aside from being a lifetime investment, the prized pieces that are put through great pressure and high temperatures are actually a representation of a woman who goes through so much to find her sparkle. Just like diamonds, a woman may have been crushed, placed in the dark, or pressed over time, but her value never diminishes.
