Made with Love
DIAMOND GUIDE

The 4 Cs, the 5th C, and what really matters.

Most diamond buying guides drown you in jargon. Ours starts where decisions actually live: budget, the look you want, and what your partner will actually wear. From there we walk through the 4 Cs (cut, color, clarity, carat) in plain English, plus the practical 5th C — comfort.

If you'd rather skip the reading, book a 30-minute consultation in store. We bring out three or four stones in your range and you can see them side-by-side under shop light, daylight, and a dimmed setting. No quiz, no pressure.

THE 4 Cs IN PLAIN ENGLISH

In order of how much they actually matter.

Cut: the most important — a poorly cut diamond looks dull no matter what its other grades are. Aim for Excellent or Ideal. Color: D-F is colorless and worth premium; G-I looks white in most settings. Clarity: VS1-VS2 is invisible to the eye; SI1 with the right inclusion location can look identical for less. Carat: weight, but proportions matter — two diamonds at 1.0ct can look different sizes depending on cut. Spend on cut first.

SEE THEM IN PERSON

30 minutes, side by side, no pressure.

The biggest favor you can do yourself before buying a diamond is see three or four candidates side by side, in different lighting, on a hand. Online photos are inadequate — diamonds change character based on the light around them. Book a 30-minute appointment, tell us your budget and the look you're after, and we'll bring out three or four loose stones in your range. You can examine them under a loupe, see how they perform under shop light versus daylight by the window, and compare without pressure. If none feel right, we cheerfully send you home empty-handed and you've still learned a lot.

DIAMONDQUESTIONS

WHICH C SHOULD
I SPEND ON?

Cut, by a wide margin. A well-cut SI1 H diamond can outshine a poorly cut VVS1 D. After cut, color and clarity matter roughly equally — pick whichever you can compromise on without it bothering you. Carat is the easiest to flex on by going to the lower end of a price tier (e.g. 0.95ct vs 1.00ct).

Cut, by a wide margin. A well-cut SI1 H diamond can outshine a poorly cut VVS1 D. After cut, color and clarity matter roughly equally — pick whichever you can compromise on without it bothering you. Carat is the easiest to flex on by going to the lower end of a price tier (e.g. 0.95ct vs 1.00ct).

LAB-GROWN OR
NATURAL?

Both are real diamonds. Lab-grown costs 30-60% less, has no mining footprint, and looks identical. Natural retains traditional value better and carries a longer story. Neither is right for everyone — we sell both and explain the trade-offs honestly.

Both are real diamonds. Lab-grown costs 30-60% less, has no mining footprint, and looks identical. Natural retains traditional value better and carries a longer story. Neither is right for everyone — we sell both and explain the trade-offs honestly.

WHAT ABOUT
CERTIFICATIONS?

Buy a certified diamond, period — it's how you know what you're getting. GIA is the gold standard for natural diamonds. IGI is the most common for lab-grown. AGS is excellent and slightly stricter than GIA. Avoid stones with no cert or with certs from less-known labs that grade more loosely.

Buy a certified diamond, period — it's how you know what you're getting. GIA is the gold standard for natural diamonds. IGI is the most common for lab-grown. AGS is excellent and slightly stricter than GIA. Avoid stones with no cert or with certs from less-known labs that grade more loosely.

GIA VS
OTHERS?

GIA is the most consistent and conservative grader — a GIA H VS2 is a safer bet than an EGL or IGI H VS2 (which often grade 1-2 levels looser). For lab-grown, IGI is excellent and the de facto standard. We grade-shift our pricing accordingly so you're never overpaying for a softer cert.

GIA is the most consistent and conservative grader — a GIA H VS2 is a safer bet than an EGL or IGI H VS2 (which often grade 1-2 levels looser). For lab-grown, IGI is excellent and the de facto standard. We grade-shift our pricing accordingly so you're never overpaying for a softer cert.

BookAppointment

Your perfect ring starts here. Book an appointment for expert guidance, personalized service, and a stress-free experience

In-store jewelry consultation at Bravo Jewellers
Bravo Jewellers storefront
In-store jewelry consultation at Bravo Jewellers

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.