Enough to choose confidently, without becoming a gemmologist. What actually changes how a diamond looks, and what matters less than you have been told.
Our Philosophy
Cut first. Everything else second.
A diamond graded highly for colour and clarity but cut poorly will look dull. A well-cut stone one or two grades lower will out-perform it in every light. We would rather set a smaller, better-cut diamond than a larger, lazier one, and we will always say so.
This is also why we do not publish a stone list. The right diamond depends on the setting it is going into, and on you.
The Four Cs
Four measures, in order of consequence
I
Cut
How well the stone was shaped and polished. The only one of the four the cutter controls, and the one that decides whether a diamond looks alive.
II
Colour
Graded from colourless downwards. In a white metal setting the difference between neighbouring grades is very hard to see.
III
Clarity
Natural inclusions formed as the stone grew. What matters is whether they are visible to the eye, not what the certificate says.
IV
Carat
Weight, not size. Two stones of equal weight can look quite different depending on how they were cut.
The Four Cs
Eight shapes, eight characters
Shape is the decision people change their minds about most. It is worth seeing several in person before you commit.
01
Round
The most efficient shape for returning light. The safe choice, in the best sense.
02
Oval
Reads larger than its weight and lengthens the finger. Watch for the bow-tie shadow.
03
Emerald
Long step facets give flashes rather than sparkle. Quieter, more architectural.
04
Cushion
Softened corners and a deep, warm brilliance. Forgiving to wear daily.
05
Pear
Directional and elegant. Needs a setting that protects the point.
06
Marquise
Maximum spread for the weight. Dramatic, and rewarding on a slim hand.
07
Princess
Square with sharp corners and a crisp, contemporary sparkle.
08
Radiant
The outline of an emerald cut with the facet pattern of a round. A useful compromise.
Natural and Lab-Grown
The same material, formed differently.
Chemically and optically, a lab-grown diamond is a diamond. The difference is where it formed and over what timescale, and that difference shows up in price and in resale rather than in appearance.
We set both, and we will tell you plainly which we think suits your budget and intention. Every piece states which it is, always.
Sourcing
Where our stones come from
We buy through a small number of long-standing suppliers rather than on the open market, which means we can trace each stone back through the chain. [Supplier and sourcing policy to be confirmed by the client — we have deliberately not written specific origin or ethical claims here.]
Certification
Independently graded
Every diamond we set above a stated weight is accompanied by an independent laboratory report, supplied with the piece. [Laboratory partners and the weight threshold to be confirmed by the client.]
Care
Keeping the light in
Most dullness is not damage, it is a film of hand cream and soap on the pavilion. Warm water, unscented soap, a soft brush, then dry with a lint-free cloth. Bring the piece to us twice a year and we will clean and check the settings.
Speak with a diamond specialist.
Bring your questions, or your budget, or a photograph of something you liked. We will start wherever is most useful.
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