DIAMONDS AND GEMSTONES
As bespoke goldsmiths and diamond setters with a wealth of experience we are well-equipped to help you source and choose a diamond or gemstone. We can guide you through all aspects of choosing a stone and advise on factors you should consider, such as durability, cut and quality. You may need advice on which gemstones are suitable for your design or durable enough for an engagement ring. If you are looking for a particular stone we can source a selection to match your required colour, size, cut or budget. You can also choose from a wide range of diamonds and coloured gems in our in-house stone collection, which includes everything from white and cognac diamonds to vividly coloured gems in all shapes, cuts and sizes. Find out more below.
QUALITY DIAMONDS AND GEMSTONES
All of our diamonds and gemstones are sourced from trusted suppliers, including some of Europe’s finest gemcutters. We only buy from suppliers who guarantee that their stones are ethically sourced. Our stones are carefully chosen for their quality and beauty. We are constantly adding to our collection, selecting stones for their vivid colour, unusual cut, rarity or sparkle.
KIMBERLEY PROCESS
The Kimberley Process is a voluntary international system of certification designed to regulate the trade in rough diamonds. It was developed to prevent the flow of conflict diamonds or ‘blood diamonds’ , which are rough diamonds used by rebel movements to finance armed conflicts that destabilise legitimate governments. The Kimberley Process works by ensuring that all transactions involving the sale and purchase of diamonds include clear statements guaranteeing that the diamonds are of ethical origin. All of the diamonds used in our jewellery are sourced from suppliers that comply with the Kimberly Process.
THE FOUR C’S
When choosing a white diamond always consider the four C’s: cut, colour, clarity and carat. These four factors determine a diamond’s quality, value, and to a certain extent it’s beauty.
Cut – Cut refers to the proportions of a diamond rather than its shape. A perfectly proportioned diamond will reflect light more efficiently, thus giving the brightest sparkle.
Colour – The colour of white diamonds is graded on a scale which ranges from D (completely colourless) to Z (light yellow or brown). The most valuable white diamonds are those without any colour, however it can be very difficult to discern a D color from an F or G with the naked eye unless the two stones are side by side. Slightly coloured diamonds can be equally beautiful and may offer better value for money.
Clarity – As diamonds are naturally formed deep within the earth under intense pressure they may include natural markings or inclusions. Clarity measures these on a scale from flawless (FL) to included (I1, I2 & I3). The most valuable stones are those without inclusions, however there are extremely rare and most stones will have tiny flaws that may or may not be visible to the naked eye.
Carat – The size of a diamond will greatly influence it’s value. However, big is not always best. Diamonds with ideal statistics may not always be the most beautiful and we always advise our clients to choose the stones that they are drawn to the most.
GEM-A ACCREDITED
Our Gem-A training in diamond grading and identification means we can guide customers through the process of choosing diamonds and advise on the merits of each stone. We are trained to recognise natural diamonds versus simulated substitutes such as cubic zirzonia and moissanite and to identify the signs of any enhancements such as fracture filling.
ADVICE ON CHOOSING A STONE
Our love of diamonds and gemstones and years’ of experience as bespoke goldsmiths and gem setters mean we are ideally qualified to help you choose a stone. Whether you need help choosing white or coloured diamonds for an engagement ring or a bold coloured gem for a cocktail ring we can recommend the best options for you. We are well aware of the factors that must be considered when selecting stones and can advise on durability, hardness and the suitability of a stone’s cut for your design.
SELECT FROM OUR GEMSTONE COLLECTION
Our gemstone collection in-store includes a wide variety of loose diamonds and coloured gems for you to choose from. These range from white and coloured diamonds in shades from pale champagne through to deep cognac brown, sumptuously coloured gems such as Australian black opal, sapphire, emerald, spinel, zircon, rubellite tourmaline, South Sea and Tahitian pearls and our personal favourite: Paraiba tourmaline. We love to work with unusual coloured gems and our collection also includes some remarkable one-of-a-kind fancy cut stones.
SOURCING GEMSTONES
If you are looking for a diamond or gemstone with particular requirements we can source a selection of stones from our suppliers for you to choose from. We often help clients in this way, hand selecting the best stones for them to choose from. It might be a particular colour, size, or cut that you need, or it might be that you want to see a range of stones within your budget. Let us know what you are looking for and we will help you to find the perfect stone for your piece of jewellery.
UNUSUAL CUTS
Many of our one-of-a-kind designs are created for unique asymmetric gemstones such as these. The three amethysts shown here are asymmetric fancy-cut stones. Lines cut into the reverse create wonderful patterns of light within the stones. Fancy cut is a broad term that refers to any cut outside of the traditional round, square, oval and rectangular shapes. The sculptural, organic quality of our hand-carved Arris rings are particularly suited to fancy-cut gems. You can see examples of these on our Arris page.
