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How to Clean Your Diamond Engagement Ring

How to Clean Your Diamond Engagement Ring

If the last year has taught us anything, it’s that dirt and bacteria surround us all of the time.

It may be a good thing that we don’t actually see most of these nasties—otherwise our inner germophobes may be awoken to debilitating levels.

Nonetheless, we still aspire for cleanliness wherever possible.

Your engagement ring is no exception.

Your ring’s beauty will be defined by its sparkle, and nothing dampens an engagement ring’s radiance like a dirty diamond.

Think about how frequently we clean our most prized and valuable possessions: how often do you clean your home? How often do you clean your car? There’s no reason you shouldn’t be treating your beautiful engagement ring with the same TLC that you do any other possession that holds both sentimental and financial value.

Below are 10 tips for how to clean your diamond engagement ring …

Minimize the Times you Know it’s Likely to get Dirty

If you were to take off your ring every time you did something that could get it dirty… there’s a good chance you’d never be able to wear your ring at all. However, there are certain activities that increase the likelihood of your ring getting dirty. Things like exercise, cleaning (ironically!), gardening, cooking and applying creams and lotions are all examples of times you may wish to remove your ring. Concerns around cleanliness of the ring need to be counterbalanced with fears of losing the ring. Make sure that you have designated places within your home that are the only places you ever (temporarily) leave your ring. Avoid taking off your ring outside of your home. If unavoidable, make sure that it’s placed in a safe and secure spot and only for the minimum amount of time that it’s required to be off your finger.

How to Clean Your Ring

Unlike other possessions or pieces of jewellery, there’s a specific way to clean your ring and specific ingredients to use when doing so. Start by filling up a small glass with hot water. Add dishwashing soap. Place your ring in the cup and let it sit there for 30 minutes. Remove the ring and gently scrub the diamond with a soft-bristle toothbrush. Rinse the ring under running warm water, and then dry it off with a lint-free cloth.

Don’t Clean Over the Sink

It’s tempting to rinse your ring under the running water of your kitchen or bathroom taps. Whilst this will work out in 99% of cases, it’s the 1% you need to worry about! You’d be amazed at how often rings are accidentally dropped over the sink and end up falling down the drain. That’s a phone call to an emergency plumber you’re going to want to avoid! The easiest way of preventing this nightmare is by eliminating the opportunities for these scenarios to unfold. Instead of washing your rings over the sink, do so over a bowl, pouring water from a cup instead. Alternatively, you’re able to wash your ring over the sink as long as you’ve first made sure there’s a properly placed plug over the drain.

Let it Dry Naturally

Once you’ve cleaned your ring, you’re able to gently dry it off with a lint-free cloth. Never use other drying devices like a hairdryer, for example. You’re also able to just sit it on top of a small towel or cloth and let it air dry naturally at room temperature. It should only be a few minutes at most until it’s ready to pop straight back onto your finger.

How Often Should it be Cleaned?

Ideally, you should be doing a home clean of your ring at least once a week. Cleaning your ring too infrequently runs the risk of building up dirt and grime that will affect your ring across the long term. The more frequently you do a light clean, the less frequently you’ll need to do deep cleans. Your home cleanings should also help you spot any loosening of your diamond or stones that will require the attention of a professional jeweller.

Get it Professionally Cleaned too

In addition to your home cleans, you should also take your ring for a professional clean at least once a year, ideally twice. Jewellers have professional cleaning tools able to clean your ring in a way that you simply can’t do yourself at home. In addition to this, they’ll also make sure that your stones are sturdy and secure, and minimize any risk of them getting dislodged and falling off. Make sure to set a reminder in your calendar—you’d be amazed at how easy it is to forget about these professional cleans without that gentle reminder every six to twelve months.

Avoid Household Cleaning Products

They may seem like a harmless option that does the trick for cleaning almost anything, but as a rule of thumb, general household cleaning products should almost always be avoided. You should never use products such as bleach, acetone or chlorine; as these can cause a chemical reaction with the metals in your ring. Even seemingly innocuous products like toothpaste or baking soda should be avoided, as products such as these can have an abrasive effect on your ring that runs the risk of causing permanent damage. If you absolutely must, you’re generally okay to use Windex, so long as your ring metal is either gold, silver or platinum; and only if your ring’s gemstones are exclusively diamonds. Windex runs the risk of damaging softer gemstones however, such as emeralds.

Don’t Use Ultrasonic Cleaners

Ultrasonic cleaners use high-frequency pressure waves to clean small items. Do they work? Absolutely! And the temptation to use them to clean your ring exists for this very reason. Despite their effectiveness, they should not be used. This comes down to the science of how they work: the same high-frequency pressure waves that cleans the ring has the potential to weaken the fixtures that are holding your diamond and other stones in place too. It’s great having a nice clean ring, but not if that comes at the expense of a lost diamond!

Minimize Your Ring’s Contact with Lotions and Creams

The cosmetic benefits of applying creams, ointments and lotions to your skin are well-documented. Whether to protect yourself from the sun, moisturize for vitality, or infuse your body with vitamins and nutrients—the benefits of these products speak for themselves. However, they are not an engagement ring’s best friend. When applying any of these products, remove your ring if it’s possible. Otherwise, do your best to avoid contact between your ring and the products being applied.

Avoid Contact with Your Ring’s Stone

Avoid touching your ring’s diamond whether your ring is sitting on your finger or anywhere else. You’ll find that the sparkle of your ring will remain stronger over time, and there’ll be less complexity involved with each and every clean.

Hopefully now you’re familiar with how to clean your diamond ring at home. Each tip is a piece of the puzzle in how to properly care for your engagement ring. There are few possessions you own that hold the sentimental and financial value that your engagement ring does. You want it to look good for you, and you want it to look good for others. The easiest way of doing this is to stay on top of a simple cleaning regimen with the points above. With these simple disciplines, you’ll find your ring will last the test of time and maintain the same ‘wow’ factor it had when you first walked out your jeweller’s​ doors.

Learn more with our other articles…

Picking the Perfect Place to Propose in Sydney

There’s no shortage of incredible places to propose to your girlfriend in Sydney. You only get one chance to pop the question, so getting this right will create an ever-lasting memory etched into your relationship forevermore.

Below we’ve summarised 10 great places to propose in Sydney that represent some the best proposal locations that are sure to impress.

BridgeClimb Sydney

City Iconic

Top of the Sydney Harbour Bridge

The top of the Harbour Bridge is the perfect place to get down on one knee and declare your love at great heights, with one of the best views of Sydney as your backdrop. Your special lady will already be so thrilled just to be climbing this iconic landmark that they’ll have no idea that their experience is about to get even better!

Contact:BridgeClimb Sydney
Distance from CBD:2km

2

Breathtaking Walk

Bondi to Coogee Walk

There’s no shortage of stunning places to pick from on this six kilometre walk past some of Sydney’s most iconic beaches and beautiful coastline. Choose from Bondi, Tamarama, Bronte or Clovelly Beach; or any of the other stunning spots on the way.

Distance from CBD:10km

3

Hidden Gem

Wendy Whiteley’s Secret Garden

This much-loved oasis in Lavender Bay is only a short walk from the North-side of the Harbour Bridge. It is a haven where you can explore meandering pathways, discover sculptures on your journey, or simply enjoy the nature and serenity of the beautiful surroundings. It’s an ideal location for a serene proposal amongst calming natural elements.

Contact:Wendy Whiteley’s Secret Garden
Distance from CBD:2km

Blu Bar on 36

Stylish & Swanky

Blu Bar on 36

One of Sydney’s most iconic cocktail bars, Blu Bar is set high up in the sky, on level 36 of the Shangri-La Hotel. You and your special lady will be greeted with uninterrupted breathtaking views of the Harbour Bridge, Opera House and harbour lights. All of this will enhance the shimmering glamour of proposing in one of Sydney’s signature destination bars.

Contact:Blu Bar on 36
Distance from CBD:1km

Shelly Beach

Beautiful Beach

Shelly Beach

This beautiful small beach with shallow-depth water is only a stone’s throw from Manly’s busy promenade, yet you could easily feel like you’ve parachuted into a hidden paradise on another planet. You’re also able to enjoy a brisk walk around the bush track which hugs the headland and offers spectacular views of North Head and the Northern Beaches.

Distance from CBD:17km

6

Serene Gardens

Chinese Garden of Friendship

These enchanting gardens are a serene place of beauty that live secretly at the Southern end of Darling Harbour. Wander serene pathways and take in exotic plants, blooming flowers and a lake of shimmering Koi. The Garden follows the Taoist principles of ‘Yin-Yang’—the balance of opposing yet complementary forces—and is the perfect symbolism for your life ahead with your special lady.

Contact: Chinese Garden of Friendship
Distance from CBD: 1km

Mrs Macquarie's Point

Perfect View

Mrs Macquarie’s Point

With panoramic views of the Harbour Bridge, Opera House, and Sydney’s harbour; it’s no surprise that this has become a hotspot for proposals. There’s a lovely patch of grass or easily accessible rocks that you’re able to relax on to set the scene before asking popping the question and enjoying one another’s company after she says ‘yes’.

Distance from CBD:2km

Rose Bay Acquatic Hire

On the Water

Kayaking on Sydney Harbour

Whether you propose on the water or at close-by Shark Island, a kayak proposal ticks all the boxes: beauty, novelty and thoughtfulness. It’s a fun and bonding activity at the best of times, with the sparkle of the water to complement the sparkle of her new engagement ring!

Contact:Rose Bay Acquatic Hire
Distance from CBD:8km

Luna Park Sydney

Fun & Different

Top of the Ferris Wheel at Luna Park

With the picture-perfect Sydney harbour as its backdrop, the Ferris Wheel at Luna Park is the ultimate in old school cool for thrill-seekers and easy-riders alike. Hop in a carriage and hold your breath as you float up to 40 metres above the Harbour. Enjoy the view of the iconic Sydney Harbour Bridge, Opera House and Luna Park Sydney. A magical place to propose.

Contact:Luna Park Sydney
Distance from CBD:3km

Quay

Fine Dining

Quay

Quay is one of Australia’s most celebrated restaurants. The interplay of textures and colour brings life and a vibrance that embraces the restaurant’s place in the dress circle of Sydney Harbour—the perfect symbolism of your new life ahead. An ode to the Australian landscape, from the vast ocean floor, to the cracked bark of a paperbark tree, every detail from the ground up has been thoughtfully considered. It also has unsurpassed views to die for!

Contact:Quay
Distance from CBD:1km

Learn more with our other articles…

The 4C’s

Tips for Picking a Ring She’ll Love

You’ve been dating for years and you’ve finally decided to bite the bullet and ask her to marry you.

You are filled with a combination of nervousness and excitement.

You begin making a shopping list of things you need to do for the proposal.

What sits at the top of that list? The ring!

But where to begin?

What does she like? What will she like? What kind of style? How big? How small? What colours?

All these questions… and you haven’t even started thinking about the other parts of the proposal!

Never fear. There are quick and simple ways of smartly answering all of these questions.

Below we overview five tips and tricks for unearthing information that’ll help you pick her perfect engagement ring.

Her Style

Everyone has their own style. You do, your grandparents do. And so does your girlfriend.

But chances are, you’ve never paid too much attention to just what that style may be. After all, why would you?

Well now you have a reason to – you’re trying to get a feel for any patterns in her fashion, styles and preferences.

For example, does she have a preference for the simple things, or does she prefer the ornate?

How swept up is she by current trends versus marching to her own beat and creating her own brand and style?

Is she heavily influenced by pop culture and whatever is trending right now, or does she have a strong sense of self assurance around her likes and dislikes that trump all current social trends?

Would she consider herself hip and modern, or traditional and old-fashioned? Maybe she’s somewhere in between these two?

What kind of lifestyle does she lead – is it active or passive?

And how sentimental and connected to family is she?

Having some sort of idea about these questions will help you understand what kind of ring style you should have on your radar throughout your engagement ring search.

Social Media

Social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram and Pinterest have spent the better part of the last decade collecting a wealth of information about us.

This often comes at our own detriment, however in this instance, it may prove to be a source of intel you’re able to use to understand personal preferences that shed light on the type of ring she’d most appreciate.

It may be as explicit as a Pinterest board of ring and jewellery, or as subtle as a brand she follows on Instagram.

You probably follow each other on social media already, so when she’s not around, take a look at her account and see what insights you’re able to glean from her social media interests and activity.

Friends + Family

You may be her lover, her man who can change the tire, and her rock that brings home the bacon; but there’s a high likelihood you’re not at the top of the list when it comes to those who know about her jewellery preferences.

Don’t feel bad. This isn’t personal.

Chances are she talks fashion or jewellery with her friends on a regular basis. She may also likely have discussed engagement rings with them too – especially if many of her friends have recently got engaged.

In doing so, she will likely have voiced her opinions and thoughts, which will prove to be a goldmine in understanding what’s on her mind when it comes her turn to receiving a ring.

If you trust that her friends can keep a secret and you feel comfortable in bringing them into the process, then politely request their advice and see what suggestions they’re able to provide.

You’re also able to take that one step further and run a few options past them once you have a shortlist of styles and options.

Whatever you do, make sure that you’re comfortable with bringing them into the ‘inner circle of trust’, and that they’re able to keep a secret in the interests of putting a smile on their friend’s dial shortly after.

Other Jewellery

Your lady probably has a jewellery box stashed somewhere in the bedroom. This is her collective repository of necklaces, earnings and other pieces of jewellery she’s acquired over the years.

What better way to get a feel for her style and preferences than taking a look at her existing favourite pieces of jewellery.

Does she own white gold, yellow gold or rose gold jewellery? Is she big on simplicity, or more a fan of the extravagant?

Whilst you won’t find an engagement ring there (well, we hope not for you!), you will likely find other pieces of jewellery that can serve as inspiration for how to begin the process of selecting the perfect engagement ring.

Like a good thief, make sure you don’t leave any trace of your mischievous activity. And do this at a time she’s not home and likely to walk in on you in the act.

To avoid needing to do this over and over again, it may be useful simply to take a couple of photos of her jewellery. This will make sharing and consulting with jewellers, friends and family a whole lot easier too.

Shopping

Unless you’ve made the conscious decision to buy the ring together, you’re going to want to keep it a surprise. This makes going out and shopping for a ring together near impossible.

However, there are a few little sneaky things you’re able to do whilst out and about in the shopping mall.

You can “admit” that you’re looking at other jewellery pieces for her upcoming birthday. Or you can be a busy-body seeing what your co-worker just paid for his recent ring.

The secret here is subtly. Make sure you don’t come across too invested in the shared shopping experience and let her lead the charge on sharing information (if she does so at all).

Diamond Shapes

There are many technical elements to finding the perfect diamond engagement ring. When thinking about the 4C’s, you have the cutcolourclarity and carat weight to think about. But chances are, even before you turned your attention to all of these vital diamond components, you probably had an idea of what your diamond ring was going to look like, and this would likely have been principally influenced by the diamond’s shape.

A diamond’s shape describes the diamond’s basic outline when viewed face-up. For example, if it is round, square or oval. This is different from the diamond’s cut, which is something completely different, as the cut refers specifically to how the diamond’s facets are arranged.

Below we’ll run through your various shape options and key things to keep in mind when deciding on what shape is right for you…

Round

Round shaped diamonds are the most popular shape and are frequently used for Solitaire-set engagement rings. Almost all round diamonds are brilliant cut since the angles created with a brilliant cut helps to enhance its fire and brilliance.

Princess

Princess shaped diamonds are a very bright and acute style, with uncut corners. Generally, it is a square or rectangular cut. The brilliant style is because of the vertical directions in the crown and facets in the pavilion instead of horizontal cuts. This diamond shape is one of the most wanted for engagement rings, and most often, princess cut engagement rings аrе accented with other smaller stones with the diamond at its centre.

Radiant

With its square shape and trimmed corners, the radiant cut diamond is a very versatile diamond that combines the emerald shape with the brilliance nearly matching a round cut diamond. It is quite similar to the princess cut but is usually slightly more in the shape of a rectangle, and it has its corners blocked.

Emerald

The emerald cut diamond provides for deep clarity and a large surface table. They are a popular choice for those wanting a larger stone without a high price point, and can give the appearance that they are bigger than they may actually be. Despite being rarer than round or princess shaped diamonds, they are often slightly cheaper, making them an attractive option.

Oval

Oval shaped diamonds are becoming increasingly popular. They enhance the diamond’s fire and brilliance and make the wearer’s finger appear longer and slimmer. Because of their greater surface area, they often appear larger than a round diamond of the same weight. Its rounded edges also make them less prone to chipping.

Pear

Pear shaped diamonds fuse the best of both the marquise and round shapes. Similarly to marquise shaped diamonds, symmetry is key. Pear shaped diamonds resemble a teardrop, and when worn with the pointy end pointing out towards the tips of the finger, create a slimming effect on the hand.

Heart

The heart shaped diamond is naturally often chosen as an expression of one’s love for another. They should have two symmetrical halves that meet at a distinct cleft. Inclusions are often more prominent in this shape, so keep your eye out for good clarity.

Marquise

Marquise shaped diamonds have become popular since they tend to make the diamond appear bigger in size than it actually is. If opting for a marquise shaped diamond, ensure that it is symmetrical, as even small asymmetries can give the appearance that it is unbalanced and uneven.

Cushion

The cushion cut diamond is popular with those who desire an antique style engagement ring. They are known for being both classic and contemporary. Cushion cut retains more colour face up than a brilliant cut, which makes them a good choice for coloured diamonds. Cushion cut diamonds have curved sides and rounded corners.

Engagement Ring Settings

When we think of an engagement ring, we often think that what differentiates one ring from another is largely dependent on the diamond that sits atop of that ring.

And whilst the diamond is the centrepiece that makes the ring special in the first place, the ring setting it sits upon is absolutely critical too.

Engagement ring settings vary greatly, and reflect the different personalities of different owners.

The setting is also responsible for accentuating or downplaying certain attributes of the centrepiece diamond and creating visual effects that have the potential to bring out the best (and worse) of the gemstone.

Different people also live different lifestyles, making some settings more or less appropriate than others, throwing a ‘practical considerations’ element into the mix.

And finally, different settings cater towards different budget objectives, which may also influence a shortlist of settings that may be more or less appropriate for you too.

Below we overview five of the most popular ring settings you may wish to consider and outline the reasons many people gravitate towards each …

Solitaire

The solitaire setting has come to be the most popular engagement ring setting for a whole lot of reasons. Don’t be fooled by its subtle and unassuming nature – it is bold, striking and elegant. Solitaire settings shine a spotlight on your diamond without any distraction. If choosing a solitaire setting, prioritise the diamond’s cut, as your diamond’s sparkle, brilliance and fire will be most noticeable.

Halo

Halo settings also do a great job on drawing attention to your centrepiece diamond. They are a good option for when working with a smaller diamond and looking for clever ways to make your centrepiece diamond appear bigger than it actually is. This becomes possible by encircling the diamond with a number of pave diamonds, that creates a strong and large diamond presence at the top of the ring. And just like the solitaire setting, cut is critical in halo rings too.

Three-Stone

The three-stone setting typically places your centrepiece diamond in the middle of the ring, flanked by two smaller stones on both sides. Each stone is said to represent the yesterdaytoday and tomorrow of your relationship. Round brilliant cut and princess cuts are the most popular diamond shapes for this setting. The three-stone setting is popular as it maximises sparkle and brilliance and has the ability to enhance the appearance of the centrepiece diamond too.

Bezel

Bezel settings have gained popularity for their modern look and suitability for active lifestyles. Bezel settings encircle the centrepiece diamond with a thin metal rim instead of holding the diamond with prongs. This keeps the diamond tightly and durably in place and ensures the diamond remains as protected as possible. Depending on your preferences, you can leave the sides open or closed with a full or partial bezel.

Split-Shank

These settings split the shank of the ring (the band that actually encircles your finger) into two separate shanks. Because of their uniqueness, they command a lot of attention and stand out from traditional single-shank bands. They draw attention to the centrepiece diamond, thus making it more noticeable. They are also great for adding additional side stones that create extra sparkle.

Diamond Carat Weight

The term carat is also often misunderstood. It refers to how much a gemstone weighs – not it’s size. Thus, diamond carat refers to the weight of the diamond stone (or its apparent size).

Carat is the standard measurement metric for gemstones and precious stones, particularly diamonds. A metric ‘carat’ is defined as 200 milligrams with each milligram sub-divided into 100 ‘points’. This allows precise measurements to the 100th decimal place.

In industry lingo, jewellers and gemmologist may refer to gemstones by the points of their carat weight. For instance a 0.5 carat gemstone may be referred to by a jeweller as a “fifty pointer”.

 

All other diamond attributes being equal, a diamond’s price will increase with increased carat weight since larger diamonds are harder to come by. Make sure to pay particular attention to the diamond’s cut, since a high carat weight diamond that is poorly cut may look smaller in comparison to a smaller carat weight diamond that is better cut.

Some diamonds are considered magic sizes. Half carat, three-quarter carat and single carat diamonds are such examples. To maximise value of your diamond purchase, consider purchasing a diamond ever-slightly below these magic sizes. The outcome will be visually negligible to the naked eye, but potentially save you big on cost.

Some settings can also make a diamond appear bigger than they actually are. Halo settings, for example, creates a ring of small diamonds around the centrepiece diamond, giving the appearance that the main diamond is larger than it actually is.

Finally, fancy shaped diamonds may appear larger than their actual carat weight. Shapes like oval, pear or heart diamonds may be worth considering when trying to get the greatest bang-for-your-buck when it comes to carat weight.

Origin of the Carat System

In order to understand what a diamond carat measures, it is important to know the origin of the modern day carat system.

The cart weight system started with carob seeds, when early gem traders used the small, uniform seeds, which functioned as counter weights in their balance scales. Today, the carat weighs the same milligram weight all around the world.

Diamond Cut

It is a common misconception that when talking about a diamond’s cut, we’re talking about its shape (eg. round, heart, pear, etc). Cut actually refers to how well a diamond’s facets interact with light to create sparkle and brilliance.

Of all the 4C’s, a diamond’s cut is the most complex and has the greatest impact on its …

  • Brightness: The amount of internal and external white light that is reflected from the diamond
  • Fire: The scattering of white light into a broad range of colours
  • Scintillation: The amount of sparkle a diamond produces and pattern of light vs. dark areas resulting from reflections within the diamond

A well-cut diamond also reflects the design and craftsmanship that went into producing the diamond. It includes features such as the diamond’s weight to diameter ratio, girdle thickness, symmetry of its facet arrangement and quality of polish on all its facets.

 

In simple terms, the cut grade of a diamond refers to its light performance, meaning the degree to which the diamond retains and reflects the light that enters it. A diamond with a good cut will be highly reflective and exhibit the best possible amount of sparkle. Conversely, diamonds that ‘leak’ light through the bottom or side are usually cut too shallow or deep, and will thus have a less favorable cut grade.

Hence, it is the cut of a diamond that affects the way light travels through the gem, how much is reflected in the eye and how much leaks out the back.

A well-cut diamond gives off more bright sparkle and shine, therefore being more highly valued. A poor cut diamond or a diamond that is too thin will have a lot of light leakage, eliminating its potential for sparkle, and diminishing its value. It takes great skill and craftsmanship to transform a diamond in the rough into a dazzling gem. This is why diamond ring cuts are so important.

The Gemological Institute of America (GIA) have created an objective rating system that is widely-accepted as the standard for evaluating a diamond’s cut (in addition to the other qualities of the 4C’s).

GIA breaks a diamond’s cut down into five categories and grades a diamond based on the amount of light it is able to refract back out of its table:

  1. The best possible rating is Excellent, and this signifies the diamond is refracting the highest potential amount of light, thus creating an exceptional shimmer when viewed
  2. Next, there is a Very Good cut, which is not an optimal cut, however, it is well above average and provides a great combination of light refraction and value
  3. Following closely behind is the Good cut, which produces an adequate amount of brilliance; however, it shimmers noticeably less than the excellent and very good cuts
  4. Next, the Fair cut provides an acceptable amount of shimmer but is significantly less shiny than the aforementioned cuts
  5. Last, the Poor cut produces a base level of shimmer and should be taken out of consideration if at all possible within your budget

Diamond Colour

Many people confuse the colour grade of a diamond with the category of diamonds that are referred to as fancy coloured diamonds.

Fancy coloured diamonds are naturally coloured diamonds outside the normal color range. They are either yellow or brown diamonds that have more colour than a Z master stone or exhibit a colour other than yellow or brown. Only 1 out of every 10,000 diamonds possess natural colour and are graded on a separate colour scale.

Conversely, a diamond’s colour typically refers to the GIA’s Color Grading Scale.

 

 

Under this scale, diamond colour actually measures the degree of a diamond’s lack of colour.

It does so by comparing the diamond under controlled lighting and precise viewing conditions. A trained gemmologist will compare the diamond against a master-stone whose colour grade is well-established and known.

Colour is more visible in large diamonds. This represents an opportunity to strike the right balance between colour and carat weight in optimising the value of your chosen diamond.

Some fancy-shaped diamonds hide colour better than others and can cost significantly less than a round-cut diamond.

Colourless

 

These are the highest-grade and rarest diamonds. For this reason, they are significantly more expensive than lower-grade coloured diamonds.

The differences between these grades are very small, and only identifiable by a trained expert.

For this reason, if going for a colourless diamond, it may be prudent to go for a ‘lower-grade’ colourless diamond (eg. ‘F’ instead of ‘D’) to save money. All colourless diamonds will still be considered a high-grade colour.

These diamonds look excellent when paired with white gold or platinum settings.

Near Colourless

 

These diamonds are less rare than their colourless siblings. Because of this, they are easier to source and are less expensive.

These diamonds have either a very slight warmth to their tone, a faint yellow hue, a slight yellow tint or a light yellow tone. All of these features are difficult to detect by the naked eye and can typically only be seen when compared side-by-side with diamonds of a higher colour grade.

Near colourless diamonds pair well with yellow gold ring settings.

Faint Colour

 

These diamonds are a good option as you consider diamonds of larger carat weights as they can provide great value.

Their faint colour is often hard to differentiate even when compared to lower-grade near colourless diamonds.

Very Light Colour

 

These diamonds have a slight color that can be seen by the naked eye.

They have a much lower price point than higher-grade diamond colours, and are usually deemed undesirable because of their inferior qualities.

Light Colour

 

Light colour graded diamonds have a warm tint that is visible to the naked eye.

They are generally deemed undesirable for making jewellery and are rarely used when making diamond engagement rings.