Buying Diamond Jewellery

DIAMONDS

The word 'diamond' is derived from the Greek word 'Adamas' meaning unconquerable and indestructible. Indeed, a diamond is the hardest natural substance known to man, and a natural diamond can be as old as 70 million to 3 billion years.

Whilst diamonds are mined in their rough form, specialist diamond cutters around the world cut the diamonds into shapes, each time attempting to maximise the sparkle, or "brilliance", of the diamond. The brilliant round cut diamond has traditionally been - and continues to be - the most popular of all shapes, but others such as princess cut diamonds (square), emerald cut diamonds (rectangular), pear cut diamonds and heart shaped diamonds are growing in popularity all the time.

The sparkle or "brilliance" and, therefore, the value of a diamond is determined by the interaction of its "4Cs" - Carat, Colour, Clarity & Cut. For more information on the terms used when buying diamond jewellery, please visit our Glossary of Terms.

DIAMOND CERTIFICATION / CERTIFIED DIAMONDS

For more information on how diamonds are graded, please click here.

An independent diamond grading certificate provides you with 100% peace of mind in the quality and integrity of your purchase. Those items of diamond jewellery which are independently certified are displayed with the relevant logo, and reference is also made to this in the product specification.

Many of our solitaire engagement rings and solitaire pendants are accompanied by a diamond grading certificate from the IGI - one of the world's leading diamond grading laboratories. With laboratories around the world, the IGI has strict standards and provide outstanding peace of mind in your purchase. For more information, visit www.igiworldwide.com.



Some of our other 18kt gold and 950 platinum items of diamond jewellery are accompanied by an independent diamond grading certificate from SKD.





All other 950 platinum and 18kt gold items are accompanied by a Certificate of Authenticity from The Diamond Jeweller which confirms the diamond carat weight and diamond quality for your 100% peace of mind in the quality of your purchase.

"CONFLICT DIAMONDS"

Today, an illegal trade exists within the diamond industry whereby the profits generated by the mining of diamonds - predominantly in 3rd world countries - have been used to fund wars and terrorist activity. These are known as "conflict diamonds" or "blood diamonds". The prevalence of conflict diamonds ranges in estimates from anywhere between 1 -10% of the worlds diamond supplies. The Kimberley Process was established in 2000 between governments across the world in an attempt to eradicate this disgraceful activity, and we wholeheartedly support this initiative. To learn more about this important issue, please visit our conflict free diamonds page.

The Diamond Jeweller strives to assure, therefore, that all the diamonds used in our diamond jewellery are "conflict-free", whether it be in our diamond engagement rings, diamond eternity rings, diamond rings, diamond pendants, diamond earrings, diamond bracelets, diamond necklaces or diamond cufflinks. After all, a diamond is a beautiful symbol of love which must not be tarnished by a dark history. We sincerely hope that you too will share our ethical stance on this issue.

DIAMOND SETTINGS

In the production of diamond jewellery, diamonds are set into precious metals in a variety of ways, and the terms used in the jewellery industry are outlined below;

CLAW SET - This is where the diamond is held in place 'prongs' of metal, normally 4 or 6 claws. Generally used on solitaire pieces of diamond jewellery such as diamond engagement rings, diamond pendants and diamond earrings, for example.
RUB-OVER SET - This is where the diamond is placed into a setting and the metal is 'folded over' the outer perimeter of the diamond. Generally used on solitaire pieces of diamond jewellery such as diamond engagement rings, diamond pendants and diamond earrings, for example.
CHANNEL SET - This is where a series of diamonds are set with 2 'strips' of precious metal either site. This style is most common in diamond eternity rings.
PAVE SET - This is where many small diamonds are set into the precious metal. This style is commonly found on diamond pendants, giving the impression that the item is made entirely from diamonds, as very little metal can be seen.

PRECIOUS METAL JEWELLERY & HALLMARKING

It is a legal requirement in the UK for all precious metal jewellery sold to the UK public to be "hallmarked". The hallmarking process is carried out by the UK Assay Office and tests the purity of the precious metal in the diamond jewellery item.

At The Diamond Jeweller, use both 9kt and 18kt white and yellow gold, and 950 grade platinum - UK industry standards. It is also worth noting that under EU regulations, all earrings sold in the UK must be nickel-free. All our diamond earrings comply with this legislation.

Please visit our precious metals page for more information.

The Diamond Jeweller guarantees that all our diamond jewellery, whether it be our diamond engagement rings, diamond eternity rings, diamond rings, diamond pendants, diamond earrings, diamond bracelets, diamond necklaces or diamond cufflinks are hallmarked as your guarantee of quality.