The GREAT BRITISH DIAMOND HE IST
We open on a windowless room with concrete grey walls. The carpet and large L-shaped couch are also grey, adding to the illusion of being inside an underground vault. It’s not quite that heavy-duty, but it is secure, because there is precious treasure being handled. Seven magnificent diamonds have been brought out of the safe to be examined. Among them is a delicate, pink, pear-shaped gem, a brilliant six-carat princess-cut sparkler and a huge, glittering heart-shaped diamond weighing in at a massive 20 carats. Two women sit facing each other – one older, one young. In the background is a spiral staircase, and the disappearing feet of fifth-generation jeweller Nicholas Wainwright, who is ascending to his Mayfair showroom to take a call. It’s a decision that will come to be one of the greatest mistakes of his life.
The scene takes place in the prestigious London jewellery store, Boodles. It describes part of the March 2016 footage released by London’s Metropolitan Police in their ongoing efforts to track down a gang of jewel thieves. The younger woman on camera, Emma Barton, is a qualified gem specialist at the store. Dressed impeccably, she is comfortable among society’s elite. Prior to joining Boodles, the pretty brunette was a groom for Olympic gold medal dressage champion Anky van
