Diamonds have always been a girl’s best friend, it’s said, writes Louise Jew.

So, in the wake of the sale of Elizabeth Taylor’s jewellery collection for a staggering £76 million, we asked Lou’s Women whether they are hoping for diamonds in their Christmas stocking.

Or, in the words of that old song, are we more: “All I want for Christmas is my two front teeth.”

Now Liz was the sort of gal who could appear dripping in diamonds, while the rest of us would be terrified we might lose them if we wore them – even if we had them in the first place.

But, while nothing can beat a diamond for some of Lou’s Women, student Holly Dodd would rather have a dog!

I only once possessed two diamonds – and a sapphire – in an engagement ring when I was far too young and foolish to be contemplating marriage in my teens.

And, when the engagement broke up, I handed the ring back.

While I would love to have the equivalent in cash of a diamond or two, my own preference is for individual, quirky and bold costume jewellery – favourites include some beads that look like a red Indian’s chest piece and some chunky silver-coloured (not real) necklaces with the odd bit of bling in them.

I have some heirlooms – a Victorian cameo brooch and black gold ring belonging to a previous Louise Jew – but the only time I wore it I almost lost the brooch as it became unpinned during some over-zealous dancing at a party.

So, these days, it never makes the trip outside my jewellery box.

No doubt, we’d all appreciate the security of the money that can buy those jewels.

But it does seem a shame that much of the world’s really expensive jewellery is in bank vaults, never to see the light of day.

And the general consensus of opinion is that what we truly want for Christmas – and what really makes us sparkle – is the health, wellbeing and company of our loved ones.

Find out what the rest of Lou’s Women say – and add your own comments below.

Britain’s Got Talent star Jean Martyn says: “I love diamonds. They have that touch of sparkle like no other jewellery.  Diamonds definitely are a wow factor for me! And also antique diamonds have a touch of sentimentality. I have my mother’s rings, which were tiny diamonds, but with any diamond you know that it is given with love.”

Kinver grandmother Helen Broadhurst, aged 81, says: “I have a fake diamond ring, which I love, but I would be too worried about wearing the real thing in case I lost it. If I could afford to be extravagant, I would prefer Jimmy Choo shoes to diamonds.”

Pat Bailey, from Halesowen, says: “Jewellery is my big weakness, next to shoes.  I have not got enough fingers, arms or ears to wear it all. It ranges through diamonds, sapphires, pearls, topaz, aquamarine, ruby, amethyst, garnet and probably more. But when it comes to all you want for Christmas…yes, our two front teeth are also very important.”

Zumba teacher Lou Thomas says: “I would love diamonds for Christmas, especially if they came in a little blue Tiffany box.  But I think I am getting a new warm winter coat this year – a bit more practical.  There is no doubt diamonds signify romance and glamour for me but, when I’m asked for my Santa list I try to be sensible. If money was no object though diamonds would be the top of my list – I love the sparkle!”

Elaine James, from Cookley, near Kidderminster, says: “Diamonds are definitely for me.  Sorry if that sounds shallow but it’s only because I mean it. The same applies to relationships. I’m a great believer in meeting the right person – but it really helps if they’re rich as well.”

Midwife Ellie Wright says: “Wow, £76 million for one person’s diamonds, I’m just trying to get my head around it, makes you feel quite, what’s the word? sick? Being honest though  what lady wouldn’t like to receive just one (or even two quality diamonds) in her  stocking, in whatever form,  what a delight it would be!! However as far as I’m concerned family and friends around me is the best present of all.  My friends and I have called a truce this year as you get to the stage where you say ‘what can I buy them?’ especially as the kids get older. Also my husband and I have called a truce which makes sense, we treat ourselves to a weekend away in the spring. I’m sure a lot of you agree  Christmas has become very commercialised and certainly expensive. Let’s face it, the best jewels are (and this will sound really corny )your kids and the ones you love.”

Student Holly Dodd says: “Why is it that ‘dog’ is a man’s best friend and all us girls get are diamonds?! I know which I’d prefer! One’s furry, utterly devoted and constantly happy to see you; the other’s cold, impersonal and intent on becoming estranged from you at any opportunity. I don’t own any diamante, much less diamonds, but any jewellery I have owned worth anything has had an annoying habit of finding its way off my body! I dunno, perhaps I’m getting too be old and boring before my time, but all I really do want for Christmas is the health and happiness of me and mine. I’m sure once I am lucky enough to own some jewellery of monetary or sentimental value, such as a wedding ring, I will adore it. However, having done the unholy last minute Xmas shop with my sister yesterday, and coming back with my soul barely intact, I was hopelessly embroiled in the crush to spend as much as possible on mass-market merchandise for each other…and realised my mum, and probably a lot of mums out there, would much prefer a more homemade, and definitely more heartfelt, alternative.”