Cut
The art of light.
Cut describes how a diamond’s facets interact with light. Proportions, polish and symmetry influence the sparkle you see. Shape is its outline; cut quality is how it performs.
FACETRA / THE DIAMOND GUIDE
A little knowledge. A lifetime of brilliance.
Discover the details that make a diamond your own. A considered guide to quality, shape and choosing with confidence.
Discover the 4Cs01 / THE ESSENTIALS
Four details. One extraordinary stone.
Understand the language of diamonds, then decide what matters to you.
Colour
A study in subtlety.
For diamonds on the D–Z scale, colour grades describe the presence of body colour. Fancy-colour diamonds are assessed differently. Your setting and lighting also affect how a stone appears.
Clarity
The details within.
Clarity describes internal inclusions and surface blemishes. Their position and visibility matter to appearance; a grade alone does not tell you everything you will see.
Carat
Weight, with perspective.
One carat equals 0.2 grams. Carat measures weight, while shape and proportions influence visible size. Two stones of the same weight can have different outlines and dimensions.
Explore diamond education from GIA and IGI.
02 / FIND YOUR OUTLINE
A shape that feels like you.
Round
A balanced, circular outline.
Oval
An elongated outline with soft curves.
Emerald
Clipped corners and a stepped facet pattern.
Cushion
A square or rectangular outline with rounded corners.
Pear
A curved end meeting a single point.
Marquise
An elongated outline with two pointed ends.
03 / UNDERSTAND THE ORIGIN
Two origins. An informed choice.
Formed in the earth.
Natural diamonds originate through geological processes. Consider the individual stone’s appearance, documented origin and the information your jeweller can provide about sourcing.
Created through technology.
Laboratory-grown diamonds are produced using processes such as HPHT or CVD. Their origin should be clearly disclosed. Compare the stone, its documentation and its price on their own merits.
Environmental and sourcing claims deserve specific evidence. Origin alone does not describe every producer’s practices.
04 / KNOW YOUR DIAMOND
Beauty, backed by detail.
A laboratory document helps identify a diamond and describe its assessed characteristics. Report formats and assessment systems vary by laboratory, stone and issue date.
- Confirm the identity
Check the report number and whether the stone is natural or laboratory-grown.
- Read the measurements
Compare shape, dimensions and weight with the diamond being offered.
- Review the details
Read the grades or assessment, comments and any treatment disclosures.
- Verify with the issuer
Use the issuing laboratory’s official report-check service.
05 / YOUR NEXT STEP
Choose with confidence.
Set your priorities
Start with a comfortable budget and the style you enjoy wearing.
Compare in context
Look at the diamond in motion, its measurements and your preferred setting.
Ask the details
Confirm documentation, care guidance and the seller’s return and service terms.
06 / A LITTLE MORE CLARITY
Your questions, answered.
Are laboratory-grown diamonds real diamonds?
Yes. They are diamonds with a laboratory-grown origin. They are different from diamond simulants such as cubic zirconia. Ask for documentation identifying the stone’s origin.
Is a larger diamond always the better choice?
Choose the balance of appearance, dimensions and budget that suits you. Carat weight alone does not describe how a diamond looks.
Are cut and shape the same thing?
Shape is the outline: round, oval or pear, for example. Cut concerns the facets and their interaction with light.
Does a grading report tell me the price?
A grading report describes the stone. It is not a retail valuation or a guarantee of future resale value.
Which gold colour should I choose?
Compare yellow, rose and white gold against your skin and the diamond. The colour is a style choice; gold karat describes the alloy’s gold content.
How should I care for my diamond jewellery?
For suitable, untreated diamond jewellery, gentle cleaning with mild soap, lukewarm water and a soft brush can remove everyday build-up. Ask your jeweller about delicate settings or other gemstones. Store pieces separately and have loose settings checked before wearing them.
FACETRA
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