From a cloud of jewels hovering on the computer screen, this correspondent zooms in on a swimming pool-blue Paraiba tourmaline ring. The screen is shimmering with amplified diamonds, aquamarines and demantoids, each the size of a euro coin. I tap in a request for the price. I am eating a carrot and have the dog on my lap, so I avoid the webcam chat option.
Within a minute there is a call to say that the ring will not give me much change from £100,000 ($152,164). The agent can deliver it herself next week, or I can have it couriered sooner or pass by the boutique in Geneva. Money being no object, this is how easy it is to buy high-end jewellery on the Fabergé website.
