Budget, the 4Cs, diamond shape, mount style, certification, this guide brings together everything worth knowing before deciding, in the order the questions actually come up.
The most useful first step is setting a budget before looking at stones, not the other way round. Once it's set, we can decide together how best to split it between the diamond's weight, its quality, and the setting, based on what matters most to you.
Carat (weight), Colour, Clarity and Cut together determine a diamond's quality, and its price. Here's the essentials; each criterion has its own detailed page if you want to go deeper.
| Criterion | What it measures | Price impact |
|---|---|---|
| Carat | The diamond's weight | Very strong, with jumps at thresholds (1ct, 2ct...) |
| Colour | Absence of tint (D = colourless) | Strong, especially above 0.50 ct |
| Clarity | Internal inclusions | Moderate, many are invisible to the eye |
| Cut | Quality of the cut and proportions | Determines brilliance, never sacrifice this |
The round brilliant remains the most classic and most luminous. Oval and pear visually elongate the finger, cushion and emerald lean into more graphic lines, marquise for a dramatic effect. The choice mostly comes down to personal style.
Compare all shapes →The setting showcases the diamond, and also affects everyday upkeep and durability. Six main families cover most preferences:
A GIA or HRD certificate is issued by an independent laboratory, it doesn't depend on the seller. It's the only way to objectively verify the stated weight, colour, clarity and cut, and to compare two diamonds on identical terms.
Verify an existing certificate →Leave me a message or ask to be called back, personal reply within 24h.
