Frequently Asked Questions


What is the most important thing couples should consider or look out for when purchasing their first diamond ring.

Purchasing a diamond ring for the first time is never an easy task. In our opinion, couples should take the time to get some background and understanding of what impacts the price of diamonds. Every couple is unique and has differing preferences, it is important for the couple to know what type of diamond they are after. All jewellery store representatives will be helpful in taking the couples through all the various types of options that are presented in front of them.

The ‘most important thing’ for a couple to consider when purchasing a diamond ring is that the couple love it. Diamond Rings are lifetime pieces and are worn everyday, this means that couples must invest time to learn about the details of diamonds and explore all various avenues in regards to design, the end result will be a satisfied couple knowing that they have made the correct decision.


Which of the four C’s is the most important? 

There is no answer that can pinpoint which of the four C’s is “most important” a diamonds overall quality is determined by all four of the inputs. In saying that, don’t let anyone convince you that a high clarity grade is necessary to have a brilliant, sparkling diamond, or that cut refers to shape. Cut is arguably the most important factor affecting a diamond’s beauty and cost, and can also affect its durability. Many people will fall into the trap of sacrificing Cut for Colour and Clarity, it is the cut that affects the way light travels through the gemstones and eventually what determines that sparkle of a diamond. A poorly cut diamond will leak light whereas a well cut diamond will have liveliness and sparkle.

In saying that, cut on its own will not provide the perfect diamond. It is a combination of the clarity and the colour. In regards to colour, the key criteria that a couple should consider is that when a diamond has a yellow colour coming through it this means that the diamond is of lower quality. What most people will pick at first glance of a diamond ring is its colour. A white colour is preferable.


Which of the four C’s can a couple afford to compromise on and still get their ideal diamond? 

Every couple will have their own preferences, one may favour carat over the other three C’s and one may prefer to have a high colour. The key is to decide where the couple place the value and then compromise accordingly. If we had to decide on a whether of the four C’s it would be to compromise we would start at Clarity… hear us out.

Clarity refers to natural imperfections in the diamond formed as it is crystallised. If visible to the naked eye a low clarity will reduce the value of the diamond but otherwise clarity has minimal impact on a diamonds presence and appearance. Depending on the Carat, it is hard to see these imperfections/inclusions without magnification i.e. it can be difficult to see a difference between a SI clarity and a VS clarity. Rule of thumb usually a PI clarity stone can be picked up from the naked eye however no one walks around without a magnifying glass so clarity in our opinion should be first compromised.


What should couples look out for or avoid? 

As per any purchase the couple should ensure that the diamond being purchased is what they have been promised. Almost all diamonds these days come with a Diamond Certification. These diamond certifications come with a complete description including a ID number, carat weight, colour grade, clarity grade, shape measurements, proportions, proportion grade, transparency grade, polish grade and more. Once a Diamond Certificate is obtained ask for an independent valuation where an valuer will assess the worth of the diamond and also the ring itself. This is what your insurance company will usually request.

In addition, once the diamond selection is completed couples should avoid rushing the design of the engagement ring, we have seen countless instances where a high quality diamond is set into a design where no justice is done for the diamond. You need to also bear in mind that an engagement ring will eventually be worn with a wedding band and therefore the thought process of designing the wedding band to sit flush with your engagement ring must be brought forward.


Are symmetry and polish something that couples should also consider/any other aspects asides from the Four C’s? 

Symmetry and polish should of course be considered when purchasing a diamond. Although symmetry has less of an impact on a diamonds appearance compared to the four C’s symmetry has a significant impact on price, for example a diamond with excellent symmetry and polish may be priced up to 10% to 15% higher than a diamond, which is graded very good, good, fair or poor in these two aspects.

Similar with cut, symmetry and polish impact on how the light will travel through a diamond. Depending on how the diamond is polished this will impact on how light enters and exits the diamond. A diamond with lower symmetry will impact the angles in which the light is entered and directed through the diamond. Another aspect to consider will be fluorescence, a strong fluorescent causes a white diamond (being of high colour) to look hazy which is not desirable, it is safe to purchase a diamond with no fluorescence.