Buying Guides
Read our Buying Guides to help steer you through all of the big jewellery purchasing decisions!
The buyers' guide to round brilliant cut diamonds
Round brilliant cut diamonds are renowned for their unparalleled sparkle, making them the most popular cut used in diamond engagement rings today. Developed by Marcel Tolkowsky in 1919, the proportions, angles, and alignment of the round brilliant's facets are designed to optimise the reflection and refraction of light. In this comprehensive buyers' guide, we set out […]David RhodeThe buyers’ guide to Asscher cut diamonds
Welcome to the definitive buyers’ guide to Asscher cut diamonds. As one of the most sophisticated diamond shapes, the Asscher cut embodies a rich history and distinct geometric appeal that has made it a sought-after choice among diamond connoisseurs and vintage enthusiasts alike. Rooted in the early 20th century and reflecting the artistic elements of […]Tim IngleThe buyers' guide to marquise cut diamonds
Marquise cut diamonds, with their rich history rooted in the French royal court, are a testament to timeless romance and sophistication. Known for its elongated form with pointed ends, the marquise cut offers the impression of a larger size than its carat weight might suggest and a silhouette that can elongate and flatter the finger. […]Tim IngleThe buyers' guide to pear cut diamonds
With its elegant teardrop shape, the pear cut diamond combines the traditional round brilliant and marquise cuts. Its silhouette, featuring a rounded bottom that tapers into a pointed top, offers a unique visual appeal that has been celebrated for centuries. If you're considering pear cut engagement rings, this guide will unravel the intricacies of pear […]Tim IngleThe buyers' guide to princess cut diamonds
Princess cut diamonds have been a popular choice in engagement rings since the 1960s, and for good reasons. Princess cut engagement rings have an elegant, timeless look, but with so many different diamond shapes to choose from, it can be challenging to understand what sets one shape apart from the other. In this guide, we […]David RhodeThe buyers' guide to radiant cut diamonds
Radiant cut diamonds combine the elegance of the emerald cut's outline with the sparkle of brilliance faceting. Boasting 70 facets, they are revered for their dazzling light performance, making them an increasingly popular choice in recent years. In this guide, we'll walk you through the defining characteristics of radiant cut diamonds, the history and development […]Tim IngleThe buyers' guide to cushion cut diamonds
Cushion cut diamonds appeal to many due to their unique shape, vintage feel, and unique watery brilliance. When viewed from above, they are broadly square or rectangular in shape but have slightly bowed sides and rounded corners. The cushion cut emerged over a hundred years ago but evolved from the old mine cut, which dates […]Tim IngleThe buyers' guide to emerald cut diamonds
Emerald cut diamonds are a distinctive and elegant choice, favoured by many for their unique geometric appearance. The cut's clean lines and symmetry became hugely popular during the Art Deco era of the 1920s and 1930s, and despite the rise of other fancy diamond cuts since then, the emerald cut has remained a classic choice, […]Tim IngleThe buyers' guide to oval cut diamonds
An oval cut diamond is a modified brilliant cut and is a popular choice for engagement rings and other fine jewellery, offering a distinctive and elegant look that works equally well in both modern and vintage designs. In recent years we have seen a significant surge in demand for oval engagement rings, and so we've […]Tim IngleA guide to ethical gemstones
Beautiful, colourful, precious gemstones. But what exactly are they, where do they come from, what do you need to consider when buying one, and how should you look after them? Read on to learn all about these wonderful prized jewels.David RhodeSustainable diamonds
This article unpicks the facts from the greenwashing to explore the environmental impact of diamonds, and to examine whether truly sustainable diamonds exist.Tim IngleA guide to birthstones
Birthstones are gemstones that are associated with a particular month of the year and which some people believe have special properties that benefit the wearer. The tradition of birthstones dates back to ancient times, and different cultures have associated different gemstones with different months.Tim IngleHow much to spend on an engagement ring
One of the most common questions people ask when buying an engagement ring is how much to spend. You may be familiar with the one-month rule or maybe even the three-month rule. However, we know that these "rules" are not the best advice for everyone. This article explores how much to spend on an engagement […]David RhodeRuby: the July birthstone
The gorgeous red ruby is the birthstone of July, and a form of corundum, making it a hard wearing gemstone and an ideal choice for an engagement ring. Indeed, until the 1940s, ruby engagement rings were favoured over diamonds.David RhodeSapphire: the September birthstone
In recent years, we’ve seen an increasing number of customers choosing sapphire engagement rings, a trend which accelerated after Prince William proposed to the Princess of Wales in 2011 with the sapphire ring he inherited from his mother, Princess Diana.David RhodeEmerald: the May birthstone
Every month of the year has its own birthstone, and for those lucky enough to have been born in May, their birthstone is the gorgeous green emerald.Tim Ingle
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