Buying Diamonds
There are usually Diamonds to fit your budget and specifications. The pricing of diamonds is based on origin, Carat weight, Clarity, Cut and the Colour and we can often adjust a design to suit your needs.
We only use natural organic diamonds and coloured stones. We only work with lab grown diamonds for commissions and we will always identify a lab grown design. If we specify brilliant cut white diamonds, we use VS clarity, colour G and above. We select each diamond for its natural colour and characteristics, and consequently, we often work with interesting diamonds and antique cuts. Where a piece includes at certificated stone, we note this in the text. We are happy to source GIA certificated diamonds for above 0.4 carat for any of our designs..
ETHICS
We strive to source our diamonds from suppliers who have an understanding of their mines and cutters. The diamonds we use are conflict free and sourced from gem dealers who are part of the Kimberly Process and follow UN guidelines. Just let us know if you would like us to source diamonds from an ethical source for your piece. We can source Canadian diamonds from the Gaucho Kué mine and frequently use serial laser marked Canada Mark diamonds from the Ekati and Diavik mines. Where our Canada Mark stones are over 0.3 carat weight we can supply them with a certificate card. We also have the option of working with certificated alluvial Ocean diamonds sourced from divers along the coast line of Namibia and South Africa.
OLD CUT DIAMONDS
Increasingly we use post consumer old and antique cut diamonds some of which are sourced from reclaimed jewellery. These stones have a gentle hand cut style and, as they are reclaimed, they incur no additional mining or environmental damage. Where we use these stones, we indicate in the product text. Our old cut diamonds are SI quality and above. Ultimately we believe that jewellery should be beautiful in materials, design and craftsmanship.
CARAT
The size of a diamond is measured by carat weight. A one carat (1ct) diamond equates to 100 points, so a 1/2 carat (.50ct) equals 50 points. We do our best to quote the carat content for all our designs. This is detailed in the product description.
CLARITY
The clarity of a diamond measures the degree to which a stone has inclusions. Where we specify brilliant cut diamonds, we use SI clarity and above. Where we use diamonds of a higher clarity we usually indicate in the product text. Most natural diamonds will have small inclusions. We sometimes use 'brown' and 'ice' diamonds. These diamonds get their name from their colour or inclusions in the stone, which often appear as specks or dots. This gives the stone a beautiful organic quality and thanks to nature, every one is unique!
COLOUR
Diamonds are graded in colour from D (colourless) to Z (deeper colour). Where we specify white diamonds, we use colour G and above. We also often use champagne, brown and salt and pepper diamonds for their beautiful natural colours and inclusions. You will see these identified as champagne, sherry, cognac, icy or salt and pepper diamonds.
CUT
The precision and proportion of a diamond cut affect its brilliance and sparkle. Below is a chart of the standard cuts for white diamonds. We often use more unusual, reclaimed and antique stones - particularly antique reclaimed diamonds. These diamonds are chosen for their individual and unique natural character. The cut of the diamonds we use is identified in the product description.
For more information on selecting a stone shape see here.