DIAMOND GUIDE
The Ancient Greeks believed that diamonds were the splinters of stars or tears of the Gods.
DIAMOND ORIGIN
Most of the diamonds adorning jewellery today are thought to be between 1 billion and 3.3 billion years old. Diamonds actually date back to the earliest stages of our planet’s 4.5-billion-year history, so that’s why they’re the perfect tangible representation of your endless, timeless love for your partner or loved one.
Not only is the diamond an incredible gemstone, treasured as a symbol of enduring love and strength, it is also a natural resource, and I believe should benefit the economies of the countries in which it is found, and also the lives of their people and the environment.
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KEY FACTS
Here’s a bit more about this sparkling gemstone that brings us so much joy:
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​Diamond is extremely hard, the hardest known naturally occurring material, this means it is extremely hard to scratch them.
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A one carat diamond is equal to 0.20 grams. That’s equal to the weight of a paperclip.
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Diamond can conduct heat considerably faster than any metal.
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Diamond absorbs very little light, so, in its purest form, it is exceptionally transparent and has no colour.
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WHAT ARE THE 4Cs?
Every diamond, like a human fingerprint, has certain characteristics that make it individual; indistinguishable from any other diamond. The globally accepted standards for assessing the quality of a diamond are Colour, Cut, Clarity, and Carat – the 4 Cs.
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There’s a lot of information available about diamonds. Diamond grade, diamond colours, diamond cuts, diamond carats … when you start looking into it, it can feel overwhelming. So many shapes! So many different clarities! How do I choose?! Don’t worry, I’ll help you select the perfect diamond for your partner and your budget. I don’t use stones below a certain quality: I only use the top grades, but I’ll also advise you on the best value diamond within those top grades. If we stick to some simple rules, we can choose the best possible stone for you.
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So whatever you’re looking for – large, small, classic, contemporary, subtle or bold – I’ll make sure your diamond suits your style and your budget and keeps sparkling for a lifetime.
DIAMOND SHAPE
The shape of a diamond is determined by the cut, which is why ‘diamond shape’ and ‘diamond cut’ are often both used to refer to the shape of a diamond. Each rough diamond is cut into a shape that will achieve the highest level of cut when it becomes a faceted diamond.
This picture shows the most common shapes of diamond, and is especially useful for when you’re thinking of an engagement ring. You could choose a soft, classic brilliant cut shape like a round (sometimes referred to as a brilliant cut), oval, cushion, pear, or marquise. Or perhaps a modern step cut shape with parallel facets like an emerald or baguette cut. Still undecided? Don’t worry - I can order various shapes for you to choose from.
