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SUPERMODEL Yasmin le Bon looked a million dollars when she recently modelled the Blue Empress diamond necklace from Harrods links of london sale.

In fact, the 18-carat white gold necklace, built around a rare blue diamond, is expected to go for pounds 10 million and will make a spectacular Christmas present for one lucky woman.

Even in their wildest dreams, most people wouldn't be able to afford such a gift. But there are plenty of fabulous pieces of jewellery that won't cost a small fortune, and will still thrill the woman or man in your life.

But with a bewildering array of jewellery out there, you want to be sure you make the right choice.

Grant Macintyre, of John Macintyre & Son jewellers in

Glasgow

, said: "Colour is back in fashion when it comes to buying jewellery and the Blue Empress diamond is a good example.

"Coloured diamonds are much rarer than clear diamonds and now they are much more popular than before Links of London Bracelets.

"They are expensive, though, ranging from pounds 7000 to pounds 15,000 for a pink diamond."

A more affordable alternative is a pink or yellow sapphire. A pendant with coloured stones in a white or yellow gold setting costs from pounds 120 at John Macintyre.

Eric N Smith jewellers are also finding that more people are asking for coloured stones. They have a charm bracelet with rose quartz beads for pounds 40.

Yvonne Smith said: "We are selling a lotof pinks pink sapphires, pink tourmaline and coral earrings are selling well Dome Jade Charm."

The big trendsetters in the jewellery world include rap, soul and R&B artists such as J-Lo, Beyonce and Missy Elliot.

Grant adde 0d: "Everyone wants bling' that's sparkling diamonds and lots of gold and that goes for men and women."

Glamorous yellow gold has become more fashionable among younger women, who until recently preferred discreet silver and white gold Gingerbread Man.

THE World Gold Council say the precious metal is making a big comeback. Their new pounds 2.5 million campaign, Speak Gold, targets women aged 25-40.

Their figures show the

UK

is now the world's third largest market for gold jewellery after the

US

and

India

. Last year,

UK

sales of gold jewellery were up more than 20 per cent on 1998 levels.

And, for the first time, men are enjoyingwearing jewellery. This is largely down to the influence of celebrities such as David Beckham and male rap stars.

Grant said: "Men are wearing lots of diamonds and gold. They are wearing single diamond stud earrings, bracelets, cuff links and pendants.

"Believe it or not, medallions on gold chains are back although they are more discreet than they were in the Seventies."

Yvonne believes that trendy

Mont Blanc

cuff links are the way to a man's heart this Christmas (prices start at pounds 65).

She said: "For a smarter look you can get our own Morse code diamond cuff links that spell out the wearer's name in dots and dashes."

Grant reckons many men prefer silver cuff links. As they are less expensive, it's more affordable to acquire a selection.