Know your diamonds, make the right choice

Photo by Edgar Soto on Unsplash

Diamonds are symbolic of enduring love and timeless quality, which is why they make stunning engagement rings, but how do you know which ring to choose? We explain everything you need to know, so you feel confident making the right choice.

History and romance

We’re not the first generation to love diamonds. Our infatuation with them has a long and romantic history. Since they were first discovered hundreds of years ago, humans have been fascinated by their beauty. The Ancient Greeks believed that diamonds were shards of fallen stars. Early Hindus believed they were created by lightning striking the Earth and the Romans thought they were the teardrops of the Gods.

Today we know how they're formed and can even recreate the process in a lab. It’s a less romantic story than falling stars, but whether you're talking natural diamonds or the lab grown variety, the diamonds themselves are still as beautiful and intriguing as ever.

How diamonds are made

Natural diamonds are a type of mineral made up of carbon atoms. Forged under immense heat and pressure, nearly 200km underground and around 3 billion years ago, these conditions caused the carbon atoms to crystallise, making diamonds. They are the hardest known natural substance on the planet. Which is why the origin of the word ‘diamond’ is adámas, meaning unbreakable - and why they have come to be associated with unbreakable, everlasting love. They come in a variety of colours, from yellow to brown, and even pink, although the most commonly found in jewellery is white. 

How are diamonds made in a lab?

Nowadays we’re also able to make diamonds in laboratories. By recreating the same intense conditions, scientists can create lab-made diamonds. These are real diamonds and identical to natural diamonds in every way (except their age, obviously!) Lab grown diamonds are becoming increasingly more common, although they tend to be less valuable than natural stones.

How are diamonds graded? Diamond quality explained

The quality of a diamond is determined by four factors. These are commonly known  as ‘the four Cs’ - colour, cut, clarity, and carat weight. These factors are what jewellers use to determine diamond quality, value and ultimately how to price each diamond.

Colour

The colour of a diamond is graded on a scale from D to Z, with D being the most colourless and Z being the most coloured.

Cut

The cut of a diamond refers to the way that the diamond has been shaped. A well-cut diamond will reflect light beautifully, while a poorly cut diamond will be dull and lifeless. Some think this is the most important factor when determining a diamond’s quality.

Clarity

The clarity of a diamond refers to the number and size of inclusions, or flaws, in the diamond. The fewer inclusions a diamond has, the more valuable it will be.

Carat weight

The carat weight of a diamond refers to its weight in grams. The larger the carat weight, the more valuable the diamond will be.

Diamond engagement rings

So now you know why diamonds are so special, how do you choose the right ring?

A diamond engagement ring is forever. A timeless classic that will never age, but it's important to choose a style that your partner or you will feel comfortable wearing every day for the rest of their life.

For that reason, we always advise doing your research first. Take a look at all the styles and cuts out there, so that you know what you like - and what you don’t. You'll also need to think about the amount you want to spend and whether a surprise ring is best, or if your intended would likely want to be involved in choosing.

There’s plenty more helpful info on our website on how to choose. Once you've got an idea of what you want, simply get in touch with any questions, or to arrange trying a few on.