Cut
How well the facets are proportioned and polished. Cut drives sparkle more than any other C — prioritise Excellent or Very Good.
DIAMOND & CERTIFICATION GUIDE Know your diamond.
Know your diamond.
Buy with confidence.
The 4Cs, lab-grown vs natural, what a certificate tells you and how metal purity works — everything in one place.
CUT · COLOR · CLARITY · CARATTHE 4Cs
Four things that shape every diamond
Grading labs describe diamonds using four characteristics. Together they drive how a stone looks and what it costs.
Color
Graded D (colorless) to Z (light yellow). G–H looks colorless to most eyes in white metal; warmer grades suit yellow gold.
Clarity
Inclusions seen under 10× magnification, from FL (flawless) to I3. VS2–SI1 is often "eye-clean" and good value.
Carat
A weight measure: 1 carat = 0.2 grams. Two stones of the same carat can look different sizes depending on cut and shape.
GRADING SCALES
Color & clarity at a glance
| Grade | What it means | Good to know |
|---|---|---|
| D – F | Colorless | Rarest color range; the difference is hard to see once set. |
| G – J | Near colorless | Looks white face-up; popular value choice. |
| K – M | Faint color | Warm tint that suits yellow and rose gold. |
| FL – IF | Flawless / internally flawless | No inclusions visible at 10×. Very rare. |
| VVS1 – VS2 | Very very / very slightly included | Inclusions hard to find even under magnification. |
| SI1 – SI2 | Slightly included | Often eye-clean; check the specific stone. |
| I1 – I3 | Included | Inclusions may be visible without magnification. |
LAB-GROWN VS NATURAL
Same diamond, different origin
Lab-grown diamonds are real diamonds — the same carbon crystal, hardness and sparkle as natural diamonds — grown in a controlled environment instead of formed underground over billions of years. Both are graded on the same 4Cs.
Lab-grown diamonds
- Chemically and optically identical to natural
- Typically cost significantly less for the same size
- Certified by labs such as IGI and GIA
- Laser-inscribed as laboratory-grown
Natural diamonds
- Formed in the earth over billions of years
- Finite supply and traditional rarity
- Tend to hold resale value better
- Certified by labs such as GIA and IGI
CERTIFICATION
What a grading report tells you
A grading report (certificate) is an independent lab's assessment of a specific stone. Always match the report number to the laser inscription on the girdle.
Independent lab
Reports from recognised labs such as GIA and IGI are widely trusted and consistent.
Report number
A unique number you can verify on the lab's website — and often inscribed on the stone.
Full grading
Shape, measurements, 4Cs, polish, symmetry and fluorescence, with a plot of inclusions.
Origin disclosed
Reports state whether a diamond is natural or laboratory-grown, and note any treatments.
METAL PURITY
Gold & platinum explained
Karat measures how much pure gold is in an alloy. Higher karat means richer color and softer metal; lower karat is more durable for everyday wear.
| Metal | Purity | Hallmark | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10K gold | 41.7% gold | 417 | Durable, budget-friendly everyday pieces |
| 14K gold | 58.5% gold | 585 | The balance of color and durability — most popular |
| 18K gold | 75% gold | 750 | Richer color, fine jewelry and engagement rings |
| 24K gold | 99.9% gold | 999 | Too soft for most set jewelry |
| Platinum | 95% platinum | PT950 | Naturally white, dense and hypoallergenic |
| Sterling silver | 92.5% silver | 925 | Fashion pieces; tarnishes over time |
White gold is usually rhodium-plated for a bright white finish; plating may need refreshing every year or two.