Diamond Buying Guide

Discover the perfect diamond with our easy-to-follow guide. We’ll help you choose a diamond that suits you, as well as explain the four qualities to look out for when you're selecting your diamond. Heard of laboratory-created diamonds? We’ll provide the lowdown on those too, giving you full guidance on the best choice for you or your loved one.

An Introduction to Diamonds

A diamond is a precious gemstone, formed under extreme pressure and heat, known for its brilliance, hardness and distinctive sparkle. Many choose diamonds for their durability, symbolism of love and strength, and potential for investment, as diamonds often retain or increase in value over time.

The Four Cs of Diamonds

Four key factors are used to determine a diamonds value and quality - cut, colour, clarity and carat.

Cut: a diamond's cut refers to how a diamond has been shaped and faceted. A well-cut diamond reflects the light beautifully, creating brilliance within the stone. Grades of cut are: Excellent, Very Good, Good, Fair and Poor.

Colour: diamonds range from colourless to light yellow or brown. The less colour, the higher the quality and value. Grades of colour are: D (colourless) to Z (light yellow/brown).

Clarity: a diamond's clarity refers to the presence of internal or external imperfections (inclusions or blemishes). A diamond that is considered 'flawless' is extremely rare and expensive. Grades of clarity are: Flawless (FL) to Included (I1, I2, I3).

Carat: carat weight measures the size of the diamond. A higher carat weight often indicates a larger, more valuable diamond, although carat is not the only factor to consider when it comes to a diamond's value - the other Cs are significant too.

1ct Lab Grown Diamond 9ct Stud Earrings VS1

£1,000.20

0.25ct Diamond Kiss Circle Pendant Necklace and Chain 9ct Gold

£560.00

Firelight 0.52ct Yellow & 0.23ct Lab Grown Diamond Cushion Ring Platinum

£900.00 , was, £1,300.00

3ct Lab Grown Diamond Tennis Bracelet 18ct Gold F VS1

£4,287.00 , was, £4,299.00

0.75ct White and Yellow Diamond Band Ring 9ct Gold

£970.20 , was, £980.00

0.30ct Diamond 3 Stone Stud Earring 9ct Gold

£505.00

Choosing the Right Diamond For You

Along with the four Cs, here are some other things to consider when choosing between stones.

Determine your budget: decide how much you are willing or able to spend. A higher budget often allows for a better quality diamond.

Shape: diamonds come in many different shapes, some of the most popular being round, oval, emerald and cushion, although there are many more. Consider which shape most resonates with your personal style, or that of your loved one.

Setting: the setting of a diamond is the metal that surrounds it and secures it in place on the jewellery. Choose the metal (e.g., white gold, yellow gold, platinum etc.), and the style (solitaire, halo, trilogy) that best suits the wearer's personal taste.

Shop from a trusted source: ensure you are buying from a reputable jewellers or online shops with trusted customer reviews and certification.

Consider a diamond's value vs. size: bigger isn't always better. Prioritise cut and quality over just size for the best value.

Use 360° views or videos: look for online shops that provide detailed images, videos, or even virtual try-on features to get a clearer idea of how the diamond will look in real life.

Check our return and exchange policies: understand the return policy before making a purchase, especially for something as significant as a diamond.

Ask for expert assistance: don't hesitate to reach out to customer service or an expert to guide you through your decision-making process. Buying a diamond is a significant purchase and reputable jewellers and online shops should be happy to assist you with it.

0.35ct Diamond Bezel Set Cluster Stud Earrings 9ct Gold

£600.00

0.75ct Diamond Mixed Cut Cushion Station Band Ring 9ct Gold

£1,098.00

5.60ct Kunzite Cushion Cut 0.68ct tw Diamond Ring 9ct Gold

£1,500.00

0.50ct Diamond Mixed Cut Drop Earring 9ct Gold

£648.00 , was, £860.00

5ct Zircon and 0.47ct Diamond Halo Ring 9ct Gold

£1,200.00 , was, £1,250.00

Firelight 0.50ct Lab Grown Diamond Mixed Cut Trilogy Necklace 9ct Gold

£495.00

Diamond Care and Maintenance

Clean your diamond regularly to help maintain its brilliance. Use a soft toothbrush, warm water and mild soap.
To protect your diamond, avoid exposing it to harsh chemicals, extreme temperatures or unnecessary rough handling. You can consider getting a protective setting for extra security.
It is common to insure diamonds for further peace of mind in case of loss, theft or damage.

Laboratory-Created Diamonds

Laboratory-created diamonds are real diamonds but instead of forming naturally in the earth, they are created in a laboratory using technology that replicates the natural process of diamond formation.

Many choose laboratory-created diamonds because they are identical to natural diamonds but are more cost-effective. Just like natural diamonds, lab-created diamonds are graded using the 4 Cs: Cut, Color, Clarity, and Carat. The factors that affect their value are the same.