Buy with confidence
Gem & jewellery guide
A short, honest guide to what you are buying.
The 4Cs of a diamond
Cut decides how a diamond returns light and matters most for sparkle. Colour runs from D (colourless) to Z (light yellow). Clarity grades inclusions from Flawless to I3. Carat is weight: 1 carat is 0.2 grams. A grading report from GIA or IGI records all four, and you can check its number on the laboratory's website.
Natural or lab-grown diamonds
Lab-grown diamonds are real diamonds with the same chemistry, hardness and sparkle as mined ones, grown in weeks instead of formed over millions of years. They usually cost much less and hold less resale value. Neither is a "fake": what matters is that the seller tells you which one you are buying. We always state it on the description and the report.
Gemstones and treatments
Many coloured stones are heated or otherwise treated to improve colour, which is normal in the trade but affects value. We tell you about any known treatment, and can arrange a laboratory report for important stones.
925 silver, vermeil and plated
925 sterling silver is 92.5% pure silver. Gold vermeil is sterling silver with a thick layer of gold. Gold plated is a thin gold layer over another metal and wears faster. Solid gold is stamped by karat: 14K (58.5%), 18K (75%) or 22K (91.6%).
Baltic amber
Amber is fossilised tree resin, millions of years old, warm to the touch and very light. Genuine amber floats in salt water and should be kept away from heat, perfume and harsh cleaners.
Caring for your jewellery
- Put jewellery on after perfume and lotion, and take it off before swimming, cleaning or sport.
- Store pieces separately in soft pouches so harder stones do not scratch softer ones.
- Polish silver with a silver cloth; wash diamonds and sapphires in warm soapy water with a soft brush.
- Clean amber, pearls and opals with a soft damp cloth only.