Buying Guides

Plain-English answers to the questions people ask before buying a diamond or a piece of fine jewellery.

• Lab-Grown vs Natural Diamonds — Both are real diamonds. The difference is where they formed — and what that does to the price.
• Diamond 4Cs: Cut, Colour, Clarity, Carat — The four measures every diamond is graded on — and where your money makes the most visible difference.
• How to Choose an Engagement Ring — A practical order to make the decisions in, so the ring comes together without second-guessing.
• How to Find Your Ring Size — The reliable ways to measure, the ones to avoid, and what to do when the ring is a surprise.