Diamonds

Find the perfect diamond

Each diamond we supply is vetted by our experts, to ensure it meets the finest in aesthetic standards with optimal value for money. Browse our carefully curated range of the finest GIA and IGI diamonds, to find the best diamond for your ring.

Detailed Diamond Search

Explore diamonds with 360 video

We get it - you want to know every detail of your diamond. And so you should. That’s why we’ve created a live diamond feed complete with up close videos that allow you to see every microscopic detail of the diamonds you browse. Use these videos to compare clarity and colour grades and find the perfect stone for you.

Create your ring online

Create a truly bespoke ring, in just two simple steps.

Explore lab grown diamonds

A lab diamond exudes all the same scintillating beauty as a natural diamond - but for around half the price. Optically, physically and chemically identical to diamonds found in nature, the ethically created, authentic gems are produced in as little as two weeks via an efficient process that allows them to retail at 40% to 60% of the cost of a mined diamond.

We’re here to help

We get it, you’ve never done this before.

That’s why we have diamond and design experts on hand, who are here to guide you through every step - from understanding what carat, color, cut and clarity mean, to designing the perfect ring.

Become a diamond expert

A diamond’s beauty and value is owed to a number of traits. From the four main characteristics - cut, colour, clarity and carat weight - to the minuscule yet significant aspects like the girdle, culet and polish. Arm yourself with the knowledge of a diamond’s makeup to help you find the best quality diamonds, at the best price.

Premium Diamonds

GIA & IGI Certified Diamonds

Browse the finest quality diamonds in Hatton Garden and from further afield by visiting our showroom or exploring online. Each natural diamond we source is GIA certified, for assurance of the most accurate grading. You’ll find that our lab diamonds are certified by the global leaders of diamond grading, GIA and IGI.

Your peace of mind

Ethical
Sourcing
Crafted
In London
Lifetime
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40 Days
Returns
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Aftercare
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Certified Diamonds
Lifetime
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Ethically Sourced Diamonds

Supplying conflict free diamonds is of paramount importance to us. In a world where mined and lab diamonds can have great power for economic and technological development, it’s important to us that any negative impact to humans is diminished - and we know it’s important to you. That’s why we whole-heartedly support the UN’s Kimberley Process, while ensuring we only work with the most transparent and reputable diamond suppliers. Browse our live diamond feeds to view the finest ethical diamonds Hatton Garden has to offer.

Frequently Asked Questions

About Our Certified Diamonds

Top Tips

Should I sacrifice quality for a bigger diamond?

While size is an attractive feature, the quality of certain diamond characteristics should take a little more priority when it comes to choosing your diamond. Qualities like the diamond’s cut and colour will have a huge impact on the beauty of the stone and the bright, icy sparkle you’ll be searching for. A diamond may look large but have a poor cut grade - meaning, although big, the diamond will appear dull and lacklustre. A poor colour grade will make a diamond appear yellowish or brownish, rather than the bright and colourless diamond's we all know and love.

Learn more about diamonds and choosing the right characteristics here.

Which diamond shape should I choose?

Over three quarters of diamond engagement rings feature a round diamond. The round brilliant emits intense fire and brilliance, and is regarded as the most traditional diamond choice for rings. Versatile, sparkly and timeless, the round diamond is a safe choice for those who seek tradition and enjoy refined design. That said, there’s a plethora of alternative shapes to choose from for your ring - known as ‘fancy diamond shapes’.

Fancy diamond shapes are distinctive, some still more traditional than others, and can retail at much lower prices than round diamonds.

Diamond shapes can be categorised into two groups: step cut and brilliant cut. Like round diamonds, brilliant cuts are designed to offer serious sparkle, while step cuts are designed to show high clarity with more subtle glistens to sparkle.

Learn about diamond shapes and which is right for you.

Why choose a GIA diamond?

At Queensmith, the natural diamonds we hand select are independently certified by the GIA (Gemological Institute of America). The GIA are a nonprofit, independent grading laboratory, recognised as the world’s foremost authority on diamonds and coloured gemstones. The institute provides impartial evaluations of diamonds, with a renowned and highly critical grading system. Their strict and comprehensive grading system means that a GIA diamond will never have been over-generously graded and therefore overpriced; instead GIA diamonds are impartially awarded the grades that best reflect its unique characteristics. Each natural diamond we select is GIA certified, with an identification code inscribed on its girdle (visible only under magnification) and its accompanying GIA certificate.

Learn about GIA diamonds.

Buying A Diamond Online

Should I buy a diamond online?

Yes, you can absolutely buy a diamond online. It is a great way to compare qualities and price points between natural and lab diamonds.

While some people prefer to view diamonds in person before making their purchase, we know this isn’t possible or practical for everyone. We decided to take our services online, making it easier for people to view, compare with 360 diamond videos, and purchase diamonds online, no matter their location or busy schedules.

When you buy a diamond online, it is important to feel confident in your selection, and the company you buy from. At Queensmith, we select each diamond we show you for its credentials, beautiful aesthetics and great value for money - meaning each diamond you see available on our website has already been vetted, so no matter which diamond you choose, you’ll be sure to receive a true beauty.

Queensmith’s commitment is designed to give you peace of mind when buying a diamond or jewellery online - from ethical diamond sourcing, to a no-fuss returns policy and free lifetime aftercare to keep your diamond jeweller looking as good as new.

Check out our other FAQs for tips on finding the best diamonds online, and knowing what to look out for before making your purchase.

Can I view a diamond I find online in-store?

Yes - absolutely! If you find a diamond online that you like the look of, but want to see it in more detail in store, we can make this happen. Just book an appointment, and quote either the GIA or IGI number of the diamond, or let us know its grades.

Our diamond inventory is updated daily, so any diamond you find online should still be available. Please do note that in some instances, the diamond you request to see may have already been sold - in which case, our gemmologists will get to work to find the best alternatives for the same budget.

How will I know the diamond I buy online is the same diamond I receive?

GIA & IGI diamonds are inscribed with a unique, minuscule code on the girdle of the diamond. You’ll see this code along with the details of your diamond when purchasing it online. This code is too small to see with the naked eye, but with 50x magnification you’ll be able to see this unique code, and cross reference with the GIA or IGI certificate you receive. When you come into the Queensmith store, we’ll show this code under a microscope - or if you’re unable to come into our showroom, find a jeweller near you and ask them to show you the diamond under their microscope.

We always advise you to do your research before buying a diamond online, and ensure you are purchasing from a trusted, top reviewed jewellers. If you’re unsure, ask to talk to a real person! Our Customer Care team is available weekdays from 9am to 6.30pm via phone, email and live chat! Contact us for more information.


What should I look out for when buying a diamond online?

First, decide between a natural diamond and a lab grown diamond - and filter your search accordingly. Next, filter by the ideal grades:

  • Cut: Ideal or Excellent to Very Good (only round diamonds receive a cut grade, so apply the same standards to polish and symmetry grades for other shapes)

  • Colour: D to F (or down to G to H for yellow gold rings)

  • Clarity: VS2 to SI1

This will help you filter down beautiful diamonds for the best prices.

Make sure the diamond you select is certified, ideally GIA certified for natural diamonds, or IGI or GIA certified for lab diamonds.

Can I return a diamond or ring I bought online from Queensmith?

Yes - at Queensmith, purchases come with a 40 day returns window. We’re confident in the crafting abilities and knowledge of our experts, but if it isn’t quite right, you’ll have 40 days to return your item - read our returns policy for more information.

Diamond Pricing

How much do diamonds cost?

Diamond price is reflective of size, quality and therefore rarity. The higher cut, colour, clarity and carat weight, the rarer the stone and therefore the greater the value of the diamond. Quality diamonds suitable for engagement rings start from £600, and increase well into the thousands - even the hundreds of thousands.

View our full diamond cost guide.

The best place to start is by setting budget, and working out how much to dedicate to the diamond vs the ring setting.

How much do most people spend on an engagement ring?

Most ring buyers today spend between £1,300 to £7,000 on their engagement rings, with the majority of their budgets dedicated to finding the best diamond they can.

Read about the cost of diamonds with our full guide.

How much of my total ring budget should I spend on the diamond?

The amount of spend on the diamonds vs the ring setting depends on the design you like. Subtracting the cost of the ring design you like from your total budget will give you an idea of how much to spend on the diamond.

  • Solitaire £700

  • Halo £1550 - £1750 (£2000 - £2250 for more complex designs)

  • Trilogy £900

  • Diamond Shoulders £1200 - £1400

Follow our handy guide to setting a budget for your ring.

What determines the cost of a diamond?

A diamond’s value is determined by the combination of grades awarded for its characteristics: cut, colour, clarity and carat weight. Carat weight is the biggest driver of a diamond’s cost.

View our diamond cost guide.

How can I find the best value for a diamond?

There are certain grade parameters you can follow that typically ensure a beautiful, great quality diamond at the best price. Our experts recommend searching for the following diamond grades to find the best diamond for your budget.

  • Cut: Excellent to Very Good (only round diamonds receive a cut grade, so apply the same standards to polish and symmetry grades for other shapes)

  • Colour: D to F (or down to G to H for yellow gold rings)

  • Clarity: VS2 to SI1

Diamond Grades

What are the 4Cs of diamond grading?

Diamonds are graded according to a number of characteristics. The most important to take note of are called the 4Cs:

  • Cut - the precision of the diamond’s cut. A better cut means better sparkle

  • Colour - the lack of trace element colours like yellow or brown. The better the colour, the whiter the diamond

  • Clarity - the severity of natural imperfections called inclusions. The higher the clarity, the clearer the stone

  • Carat - the weight of the diamond, and typically the biggest driver of its price

Learn more about diamonds and the 4Cs with our Diamond Fundamentals guide

What is 'diamond cut'?

The best diamond cut grade, an Excellent cut, is made up of the precise angles, symmetry, proportion, balance of facets and polish that a highly skilled diamond cutter can achieve. Precise diamond cutting will equate to a diamond that reflects light perfectly, so that the radiance, fire and sparkle of the stone is at its absolute best.

See our full Diamond Cut guide.

What is 'diamond colour'?

Colourless diamonds are graded from D, completely colourless, to Z, tinted light yellow-brown. Diamond colour grades between D to F appear bright, white and icy and are regarded as the best choice for engagement rings - although are priced higher due to their rarity.

Diamonds can either be categorised as ‘colourless’ or ‘fancy coloured’. Fancy coloured diamonds, like blue and pink diamonds, are not graded on a colour scale like colourless diamonds are.

Read the full Diamond Colour guide for more.

What is 'diamond clarity'?

Diamond clarity measures the presence and severity of the internal marks, blemishes and flaws found in almost all diamonds. Whether natural or lab grown, it is incredibly rare to find a diamond totally free of such inclusions, but they do exist, and are known as ‘flawless diamonds’. The closer to flawless, the higher the diamond clarity, the rarer it is and greater the cost.

Find our more with our full Diamond Clarity guide.

What is 'diamond carat'?

Carat is a measurement of a diamond’s weight, and is reflective of the size of the stone.

Two diamonds of the same carat weight can appear different sizes depending on the shape and how well the diamond is cut, but generally speaking, carat is a good indicator of a diamond's size.

Referred to in short-form as ‘ct’, carat is a unit of measurement used for diamonds and other precious gemstones, like rubies, sapphires and emeralds, equating to 0.20g.

Discover more about Diamond Carat with our full guide.

Which is the most important diamond grade to prioritise?

Cut is the most important diamond grade, as most gemmologists agree. A diamond’s cut grade indicates how precise, clean, and symmetrical every tiny facet of the diamond is - the better the precision of the cut, the brighter and sparklier the diamond.

Only round diamonds receive a cut grade - but all other shapes receive a polish and symmetry grade - which can be important to consider in the absence of a cut grade. The better the polish and symmetry grades, the better the diamond will appear.

Ideally, aim for diamonds with Excellent cut, polish and symmetry grades - or at the least, Very Good.

What’s the best combination of the 4Cs when buying a diamond?

As a rule of thumb, look for diamonds with Excellent cut, D to F colour and VS2 to SI1 clarity.

You may find Very Good cut and G to H colour sufficient, but we don’t recommend looking any lower than SI1 clarity.

A higher clarity grade than VS2 will increase the price of the diamond, but you probably won’t be able to tell the difference with the naked eye. This is because inclusions between VS2 and SI1 are typically only visible with magnification - so, is it worth paying a premium for something you can’t see?

Diamond Certification

What is a certified diamond?

A certified diamond is a diamond that has undergone professional analysis to determine grades for a number of characteristics, including cut, colour, clarity, carat weight, symmetry, polish and fluorescence. There are a number of diamond grading laboratories across the world that officiate diamond certification - the GIA is globally recognised as the best for natural diamonds, and the IGI for lab diamonds.

Why are diamonds certified?

Diamonds are certified to give diamond sellers and buyers an accurate indication of a diamond’s quality, to determine its value. Four main characteristics are graded: cut, colour, clarity and carat, known at the 4Cs. The higher each of the 4Cs is graded, the rarer the diamond, and the higher the value of the diamond.

Diamond certification allows diamond buyers to gain intricate knowledge of what they’re buying, to compare different qualities and decide what’s right for them. Buying a certified diamond is a sure-fire way to know you’re getting the quality diamond you pay for! Gemmologists always advise buying a GIA natural or lab diamond, or IGI lab diamond.

Are all diamonds certified?

No, not all diamonds are certified, but every diamond we sell at Queensmith is independently certified by the GIA for natural diamonds, and IGI or GIA for lab diamonds.

Some jewellers will sell uncertified diamonds as this enables them to grade the stone in-house, which can be dangerous for the buyer. Diamonds graded in-house may be over-generously graded to increase the jeweller’s profit margins. Even with the best intentions, the jeweller may inaccurately grade the stone as it is not their expertise - organisations like the GIA are run by the industry’s best graders, who twice-grade each stone to a strict set of standards. As a non-profit organization, the GIA has nothing to gain from over-grading. Buying a certified diamond is a far more reliable way to ensure you receive the quality diamond you pay for.

Learn about GIA Graded Diamonds with our full guide.

Which are the best diamond certifications?

When it comes to natural diamond certification, GIA certified diamonds are globally recognised as the best. The GIA are a non-profit organisation, and abide by strict standards when grading diamonds. Both GIA and IGI are recognised as the top laboratories for grading lab diamonds.

Lab Diamonds

Are lab grown diamonds real?

Yes, lab grown diamonds are 100% authentic diamonds, they are just grown in a lab setting with conditions made to replicate what happens in nature.

How much cheaper is a lab grown diamond?

Lab diamonds are typically 60% to 85% cheaper than natural diamonds. This is because the process of creating a lab diamond is more efficient and cost effective than the process to mine a diamond. Typically, the larger the carat weight, the larger the price difference between an otherwise identical natural vs lab diamond.

What is the best certification for lab grown diamonds?

The best certification of lab grown diamonds is either IGI or GIA. IGI provides a more thorough grading system for lab diamonds, whereas GIA provides more general grade ranges for features like the colour grade of the stone. GIA are, however, regarded as the most renowned, trusted graders worldwide for diamonds in general, particularly for natural diamonds which receive more comprehensive grading.

Will lab grown diamonds lose their value?

The future value of lab diamonds is uncertain, as they are so new to the market and it is unclear whether lab diamonds will become cheaper in the future. There is a possibility the value gap between lab diamonds and natural diamonds could widen, or close. When it comes to reselling a lab diamond, it’s likely you would receive 30% to 40% less than the price you paid - which is true of natural diamonds too.

Why are lab grown diamonds so expensive?

This is a common misconception, artificial lab diamonds are much less expensive than natural diamonds, yet buying a lab diamond still requires a significant sum - because a diamond is a diamond! Lab diamonds are 100% authentic, real diamonds, equally scintillating and beautiful. While lab diamond creation is an efficient process, it requires a great deal of high-tech equipment and top scientific minds, which costs money. Plus, lab diamonds are still pretty rare. This rarity, beauty and demand for lab diamonds are reflected in their prices.

Will lab created diamonds test as real diamonds?

Yes, a lab diamond will test as a real diamond - because it is chemically, physically and optically identical to a natural diamond, and is therefore a genuine diamond. Specialist equipment can be used to tell a lab diamond from a natural diamond - and the origin of a diamond is included on its certificate.

Do lab grown diamonds last as long as natural diamonds?

Yes, a lab diamond will last just as long as a natural diamond. The makeup of a lab diamond is exactly the same as a natural diamond - both measure 10 on the Mohs scale of hardness, making them the hardest natural substance on Earth. This makes them resistant to scratches, abrasion or breaking.

Why are lab grown diamonds cheaper than natural diamonds?

Lab diamonds take only a matter of weeks to form in a relatively small laboratory with a small but highly skilled workforce - whereas natural diamonds require large expanses of land, excavation, infrastructure and workforce - as well as time to find the diamonds. The reason lab diamonds are significantly cheaper than natural diamonds is that their production is far more efficient and cost-effective!

Do lab grown diamonds come in different colours?

Yes, lab diamonds can be created in a number of fancy colours, including yellow, blue, pink, orange, green, red and black. In nature, trace elements enter the otherwise pure carbon diamond to cause colouration - like boron in blue diamonds, and nitrogen in yellow diamonds. The same idea can be applied to lab diamonds, where the scientist will work out the perfect amount of trace elements to add during the diamond creation.

Is it possible to make a lab grown diamond at home?

No - you’d need a great deal of specialist equipment to create a lab diamond, and it could be an incredibly dangerous process in the wrong hands. It takes a wealth of knowledge for trained scientists and engineering specialists to create a lab diamond - and it’s a very exact science in which the creator must work out the precise, perfect conditions for diamond growth. The intense heat and intense pressure that takes place during lab diamond creation isn’t something you can replicate at home.

How long does it take to make a lab grown diamond?

Lab diamonds typically form between 2 and 4 weeks. The process can be quicker if other elements are introduced, like nitrogen, but this can make the diamond yellow-tinted.

Customer Support

Do you have additional questions? No problem, let us help you through the process

Need help choosing the perfect ring?

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