Guides
Cut, colour, clarity and carat, explained simply, so you can choose with confidence.
01
Every diamond is described by four qualities: cut, colour, clarity and carat. Together they decide how a diamond looks and what it costs.
No single grade makes a diamond beautiful. The art is in the balance, which is why we always recommend seeing stones side by side before you decide.
02
Cut is how well a diamond’s facets are shaped and angled to return light. It is the single biggest influence on sparkle, more than any other C.
A well-cut diamond can look brighter and even larger than a poorly cut stone of the same weight. If you prioritise one thing, prioritise cut.
03
White diamonds are graded from D, completely colourless, down the alphabet as warmth increases. Most people cannot tell neighbouring grades apart once a stone is set.
| Grade | Description | What you see |
|---|---|---|
| D – F | Colourless | Icy white, the rarest grades |
| G – H | Near colourless | White to the eye, excellent value |
| I – J | Near colourless | Slight warmth, beautiful in yellow or rose gold |
| K – M | Faint colour | Visible warmth |
04
Clarity describes the tiny natural features inside or on a diamond. What matters most is whether you can see them with the naked eye, which is why an eye-clean VS or SI stone can be the smartest choice.
| Grade | Meaning | What you see |
|---|---|---|
| FL / IF | Flawless / internally flawless | Nothing, even under magnification |
| VVS1 – VVS2 | Very, very slightly included | Tiny details only an expert finds under 10x |
| VS1 – VS2 | Very slightly included | Clean to the naked eye |
| SI1 – SI2 | Slightly included | Usually clean to the eye, worth checking |
| I1 – I3 | Included | Inclusions visible to the eye |
05
Carat is a measure of weight, not size. One carat weighs 0.2 grams. How large a diamond looks also depends on its cut and shape: ovals, pears and marquise shapes tend to look larger than a round of the same weight.
Prices step up at popular weights such as 0.5, 1.0 and 1.5 carats, so a stone just under one of these can offer real value.
06
Shape is personal. Try a few on your hand, as the one you expect to love is not always the one you choose.
The most brilliant of all, cut for maximum sparkle.
Elegant and elongating, with sparkle close to a round.
Long step-cut facets with a calm, glassy, hall-of-mirrors look.
Softly squared with rounded corners and a romantic, vintage feel.
A teardrop that flatters the finger and feels distinctive.
A crisp square with sharp corners and plenty of fire.
Long and pointed, it looks larger for its carat weight than any other shape.
A square step cut with an Art Deco character.
07
A certificate from an independent laboratory, such as GIA or IGI, records a diamond’s grades so you know exactly what you are buying. All our diamonds are certified, and we will talk you through the certificate of any stone we show you.
08
Tell us your budget and we will show you the best balance for it.
Your private appointment
Compare diamonds side by side with one of our jewellers. It is the quickest way to know what you love.
Or call us on +44 20 7430 9691
