Diamond Education
The four characteristics every diamond is graded on, explained without jargon — so you can judge a stone rather than take anyone's word for it.
How the stone is proportioned and finished.
Cut governs how light enters, bounces and returns to the eye. It is graded on proportion, symmetry and polish, and it has more influence on beauty than any other characteristic. A well-cut stone in a lower colour grade will outperform a poorly cut stone in a higher one.
Graded D through Z.
D is completely colourless; warmth increases gradually down the scale. Differences of one grade are rarely visible face-up, and the metal matters: a warmer stone can sit beautifully in yellow gold while showing more in white.
Inclusions assessed at 10x magnification.
The scale runs FL and IF, then VVS1, VVS2, VS1, VS2, SI and I. VVS stones are very very slightly included and are the range our house is named for. Most stones from VS2 upward are eye-clean, though step cuts such as emerald show inclusions more readily.
The weight of the stone.
Carat measures mass rather than size. Shape and cut determine how large a stone appears: ovals and pears typically read larger per carat than rounds of the same weight.
Common Questions
Diamond Journal
The difference in origin, rarity and pricing — and how to choose between them.
A plain-language walkthrough of the sections of an independent grading report and what actually matters.
From Flawless to SI — what the clarity scale measures, and where the visible difference actually stops.
A practical order of decisions: shape first, then cut quality, then the trade-off between carat, colour and clarity.
