diamond

What is carat weight?

You’ve all heard it, or said it, when a friend presents her new diamond engagement ring: ‘how many carats is it?’ and then we breathlessly hang on the answer. But what does it mean? What is carat weight? And why is carat weight important?

Diamond weight is stated in metric measurements called carats. One carat is equal to 200 milligrams, which is 1/5 of a gram or 0.20 gram. There are 142 carats in an ounce. The carat is actually the standard unit of weight for most gemstones, helping standardise the way most gemstones are valued.

What is the history of diamond carat weights?

So, now we know the technical bits, but how did they come up with this particular way of measuring the weight of a gemstone? Fascinatingly, the modern carat system has its roots in the carob seed, which comes from the locust tree. Because the seeds, which come from a large pod, like a bean pod, are pretty much uniform in size and weight, they were a useful standard for determining the weight of a gem in the very earliest times of gem trading. Early diamond merchants and jewellers used carob seeds as counterweights in hand-held balance scales. We love this! It’s not likely our customers would approve of diamonds from us being sold by carob weight however, so it’s unlikely we’re going to argue for a return to retro diamond weighing.

In the early 20th century carat weight was standardised as 0.20 gram. This gave buyers, sellers and owners a fixed and internationally accepted weight standard for diamonds, against which, of course, a monetary value could be set.

Carat is abbreviated as “ct” and weights are typically given to two decimal places: 1.00 ct, 0.76 ct, 1.57 ct.

Like the pound sterling, a carat is made up of 100 parts, called “points” and abbreviated as “pt.” An easy way to remember this is to think of carats as pounds and points as pennies. Every diamond, before it is allowed to enter the public marketplace, must be given a carat weight, which forms part of its rating, along with the other Cs – colour, cut and clarity. The carat weight of every gemstone is recorded to two decimal places – so 0.87ct, or 3.24ct, or 1.49ct, for example.

Why is carat weight important?

The price of a diamond increases as its carat weight increases. Since diamonds of 1.00 ct or larger are rarer, prices jump dramatically for these stones. But, not all diamonds have the same value per carat as other diamonds – the value per carat (or carat point) is set according to the combination of the 4 Cs – cut, clarity and colour, as well as carat.

Carat weight also helps you compare prices between diamonds with different weights but the same colour, clarity and cut grades, allowing you to compare the per carat price for each stone to see where you’re getting the best value. A 0.50ct stone for example, because of the nice round number, and being able to say ‘it’s a half carat’ can cost more than one that is 0.49ct a difference invisible to the naked eye ((as long as the cut, clarity and colour is the same) Strange, but true!

It also allows you to assess two stones the same carat weight, but with perhaps differing clarity or colour, and decide whether size is everything, or overall quality is preferable. A one carat stone of a reduced clarity or slightly darker colour will cost less than a one carat stone with excellent colour and clarity, but still be big and sparkly and again, very difficult to tell the difference if you’re not a trained goldsmith or valuer.

A very personal choice

All of this makes diamond selection a fascinatingly personal choice, which is why we spend as much time as we need helping our customers choose the stones they want in the jewellery they ask us to make for them. Simply by changing a single stone, while maintaining carat weight, changes to the budget can be made.

This means that by going bespoke, your dream ring is not as far out of your reach as you might think! Hurrah!

If you want to learn more, call in or make an appointment – we love, love, love to talk diamonds! And sapphires. And rubies. And citrines. And tourmalines. And peridot. And…well, you get the picture!

diamond jewellery design

What does the 4 Cs of diamond quality mean?

All diamonds are awarded a monetary value according to points scored when measured against the 4 Cs of diamond quality.

This is a conversation we often have with clients who come to us seeking a diamond ring, bracelet, pendant, brooch or earrings, whether custom-made by us for them, or selected from our range of European jewellery designers.

So, what are the 4 Cs of diamond quality?

The 4 Cs are: Clarity, Cut, Colour and Carat weight. Together these combine to deliver a 5^th C – Cost.

Establishing a uniform way in which to quantify the value of a diamond didn’t happen until the middle of the 20th century, which is really quite recent in the history of diamond.

Now, the 4Cs of Diamond Quality is the method used worldwide for measuring the quality of any diamond, antique or new, anywhere in the world. This is massively important, as it means that anybody who wishes to purchase a diamond is able to know exactly what they are purchasing, and receive a certificate of proof.

First, let’s take a look at the meaning of CLARITY

Clarity, in formal terms, means ‘the absence of inclusions or blemishes.’ Diamonds, as you no doubt already know, are formed by the application of immense pressure and heat to carbon deposits deep below the surface of the earth. In any natural process, perfection is rare. Inclusions are tiny fissures or splits in the molecular make-up of the internal part of the stone, while blemishes are marks found on the outside of the stone.

Diamonds are evaluated according to the number, size, nature and position of any blemishes or inclusions and how great an effect they have on the way the stone looks to the naked eye. No diamond is ever 100% pure, but the closer it gets, the higher it scores.

The Gemological Institure of America Diamond Clarity Scale (the globally accepted scale) has six categories, divided into a total of 11 grades.

Starting at the bottom, we have:

6: Included (I1, I2, and I3) Inclusions are obvious under 10x magnification which may affect transparency and brilliance.

5: Slightly Included (SI1 and SI2) Inclusions are noticeable under 10x magnification

4: Very Slightly Included (VS1 and VS2) Inclusions are observed with effort under 10x magnification, but can be characterized as minor

3: Very, Very Slightly Included (VVS1 and VVS2) Inclusions so slight they are difficult for a skilled grader to see under 10x magnification

2: Internally Flawless (IF) No inclusions visible under 10x magnification

1: Flawless (FL) No inclusions and no blemishes visible under 10x magnification

In any fine diamond inclusions and blemishes are too tiny to be seen by anyone other than a trained diamond grader. To the naked eye, a VVS2 and an IF diamond will look exactly the same, but the two diamonds are quite different in terms of Clarity quality and this will be reflected in their assigned monetary value – all other Cs being equal, of course.

4Cs of Diamond Quality: COLOUR

Essentially, when looking at ‘white’ diamonds, what this actually means is lack of colour. Again, the natural process of diamond formation, the conversion of carbon in one form to another, means that the range of colours produced is enormous, affected by the addition of other minerals or chemicals during the millennia-long process. A perfectly clear diamond is the rarest type and the closer you get, the higher the grade.

Clarity is graded from D to Z, with D being the purest and Z being the least pure of colour. Think of D as being as pure and clear as a dewdrop on a leaf, while Z is a splash from a puddle on the pavement. They’re essentially the same, but we value dew more than grubby drips any day of the week! It’s important to understand here that we’re not talking at all about ‘fancy coloured diamonds – the rarest pink, yellow, blue or even red stones so sought after.

The third C is CUT

Diamonds are adored and treasured for their sparkle, for their ability to capture the light and throw splinters of rainbow back out with every tremble of the hand. When people choose a diamond, they often see the Cut as being no more than the shape. But, that shape was chosen by a master craftsman as being the best cut to show off the diamond’s ability to sparkle. It’s a true skill and precision and artistry, and a true understanding of a diamond’s nature, are necessary to create a finished stone that reaches its full potential.

The cut of every diamond is graded in five steps, from Excellent through Very Good, Good, Fair and Poor. Each grade is a summary of how the cut affects three key measures:

Brightness: Internal and external white light reflected from the stone
Fire: The splintering of white light into all the colours of the rainbow
Scintillation: The amount of sparkle a diamond produces, and the pattern of light and dark areas caused by reflections within the diamond.

And finally, the one we’ve all been waiting for: CARAT

It’s a common belief that the bigger the stone, the greater its value. Diamonds are measured not in width or depth, but in weight. A ‘carat’ is equivalent to 200milligrams, and is split into 100 parts, known as ‘points.’ So when your jeweller tells you that your chosen stone weighs in at 0.73c, he or she means that it has 73 points, or is 73% of one carat. A stone coming in a 2.65 carats has 265 points, etc.

All things being equal (see Clarity, above!) the heavier the stone – the higher the carat weight – the more valuable it is, as large stones are more rare. However, don’t forget everything detailed above – a diamond’s final value is determined by a combination of all of the 4Cs, not simply the last one.

How to choose your diamond

This is where the skill and experience of your jeweller comes in. He or she will have an intimate understanding of diamond valuation – or jolly well should. If you visit a jeweller who seems a little less sure than you feel comfortable with, find a new one!

If you want a big one, you may need to sacrifice colour and clarity to some degree to remain within budget. If size is less important than sheer sparkle, then ask about the different cuts available.

Whatever you do, don’t just point at the first ring that falls into your budget parameters and leave it at that.

The joy of the four Cs is that it means that you can find a diamond that meets all your requirements, including the fifth! Go on a journey of discovery and find the perfect stone for you.

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Five diamond myths we want to put right

Of all the gemstones there are, the diamond is probably the one we all bring to mind when thinking of precious gems, so it’s no surprise that over the years certain diamond myths have grown up around them, which we’re going to put right here.

Diamond myth 1. Bigger diamonds are always better

No no no! It’s a common held belief that a bigger diamond has a higher value than a small one, but as diamonds are valued on a combination of four separate attributes – Cut, Colour, Clarity and Carat Weight – this simply isn’t the case.

A small, perfectly clear diamond with the perfect cut to enhance its sparkle will hold greater value than a large, yet less clear stone with some inclusions and a poor cut.

When choosing the diamond you want for your engagement ring, make sure you go through the various options with your goldsmith. He or she will be able to help you find the perfect balance of the Four C’s to match up to the fifth – ‘Cost’ and help you attain the ring of your dreams.

Diamond myth 2. A solitaire must have a round brilliant cut diamond

Nope! Okay, so the vast majority of engagement rings are actually set with a round brilliant cut diamond. But there are plenty of other shapes to choose from and you may find that you pay less for a different cut with the same carat weight, enabling you to add additional stones to the shoulders, perhaps.

One of our favourite cuts is the emerald cut, which for us is so redolent of the golden age of art deco (think Gatsby, cocktails and pure hedonism) that we can’t resist creating ring designs to reflect the era using all kinds of gorgeous gemstones.

We’re also very proud to announce that here at Christopher Evans is one of the few places you can find the incredible Premier Diamond, a sparkling new variation of the classic round brilliant-cut but with 82 facets that create so much life and fire that each one will take your breath away.

Diamond myth 3. Diamonds can’t break

Yes, diamonds are the hardest gemstone on earth and yes they are impervious to almost all acids and yes they can withstand higher temperatures than most precious gems (after all, they are created by extreme heat and pressure over millennia) but no, they are not unbreakable.

Diamonds are simply a particular formation of carbon atoms in crystal form. Within the molecular arrangement of these carbon atoms, there are planes where the atoms on either side are more tightly bonded than the atoms in the plane – making it the weakest spot in the stone. Diamond cutters split, or cleave, diamonds by giving them a sharp tap in the right place. They know how to split a diamond along its cleavage plane, using this knowledge to create the cut they believe is best for that particular stone. If you accidently hit your diamond along one of these cleavage planes, it can chip or fracture.

Certain diamond cuts are more vulnerable than others, such as the princess cut, with its pointed corners. We always suggest that when storing diamond jewellery, our customers keep them in separate pouches as of course one diamond can scratch or even chip another.

Diamond myth 4. A diamond engagement ring should cost three months’ salary.

Seriously?! Actually this myth is a bit of a moveable feast, you might say, as the commitment varies dramatically. Some say a chap should spend three months’ salary, some say two months and some say one. We say don’t listen to anybody else, do what your heart and head advise. After all, marriage isn’t about the ring, it’s about the commitment.

The roots of this myth lie in a De Beers marketing campaign, the same people who came up with the tagline, A Diamond Is Forever. It came about during the 1930’s, in America, at the height of the Depression – a disastrous time for De Beers. Their marketing campaign linked diamonds with engagement rings and actually suggested that the man should spend one month’s salary on the purchase. By the 1980’s they had increased this to two month’s salary. One campaign showed a beautiful woman wearing a solitaire diamond ring with the text: ‘Two months’ salary showed the future Mrs. Smith what the future would be like.’ Another, with only a diamond ring on a black background said: ‘How can you make two months’ salary last forever?’

Interestingly in the UK, the De Beers campaign remained at promoting just a single month’s pay as appropriate for engagement ring spend (we sensible Brits would NEVER have fallen for doubling that, surely!?) whereas in Japan De Beers increased it to three months’ salary. Today Japan remains one of the leading markets for diamond jewellery, a sea change from before De Beers did their thing, when diamond rings were simply unheard of before WW2.

Diamond myth 5. I can get a better deal on my diamond by not buying retail.

You might think that you can get a better deal on your stone by buying from an online auction, from a wholesaler or direct from the dealer and in the basics of that you might be right, but there is an increased risk involved.

Our advice is to choose a trusted retailer who isn’t going anywhere, whose reputation is of vital importance to them and who offers protection on your purchase you simply won’t find with one of the other options.

As well as providing quality guarantees and an internationally recognised grading report from the GIA (Gemological Institute of America) or IGI (international Gemological Institute) a jeweller’s expertise is invaluable in helping you choose the right diamond (see Diamond Myth 1.) and the right setting for it.

By choosing Christopher Evans you can be assured that you have chosen a team who really, really know their stuff. From working with precious gems every day to intensive training courses to the design and making of simply stunning jewellery, we are undisputed experts in our field. Why would you trust your heart and purse to anything less?

diamond engagement rings

The birthstone for November is topaz

The birthstone for November is topaz

The birthstone for November is the topaz. Although best known for its golden brown variant, it actually comes in a range of colours: blue, pale green, varying shades of yellow, pink, red, brown and even black.

The name topaz comes from a Sanskrit word meaning ‘fire.’ According to ancient Indian lore, it could be used to control heat and was applied as medication to cure fever. It was said to have the power to cool boiling water, as well as fury. Hmmm – it wouldn’t take but a moment to prove either of those beliefs inaccurate, hey?

Pure topaz itself is actually a colourless stone, the coloured variants occur due to minor element substitutions and defects in the crystal and indeed treated topaz. Some colours are unstable and can fade away; for example, brown topaz can be bleached by sunlight. In other stones, colour changes can be induced by heating.

This gem, with its lively fire, clarity, beautiful colours and hardness is ideal for jewellery. Pure topaz, when brilliantly cut, can often be mistaken for a diamond.

Because of its rarity, topaz is an expensive gem. The rarest colour – and therefore the most valuable – is red. The sherry coloured stones (ranging from amber-yellow through orangey yellow and reddish brown – are known as Imperial topaz are the popular gemstones and so command high prices.

During the Middle Ages, topaz was owned almost exclusively by royalty and churchmen. At the time, it was believed that a topaz engraved with a falcon helped its wearer cultivate the goodwill of kings, princes and lords. Of course, if you were already a king, prince or lord you were already on to a winner.

We’re not sure about mystical powers – but we do know that this is a stunning gemstone and designing beautiful and unique pieces using stunning gemstones is something we do rather well.

boughtitmyself diamond righthandring topaz

A New York proposal with a bespoke diamond engagement ring

We love happy endings and hear about more than a few, and here’s one we’d like to share with you.

Customer Matthew Heathcoat wanted to propose to girlfriend Lauren, and wanted to do it in style, with a bespoke diamond engagement ring designed using everything he knew about the likes and dislikes of the woman he loves.

‘I wanted to have a ring made bespoke because it’s really just so much more personal,’ Matt told us. ‘All the time and thought that goes into it makes it really special and unique and I knew that Lauren would appreciate the extra effort that had gone into it.

‘I chose Christopher Evans because having been a customer before, just for small things like watch batteries and straps, I knew their levels of customer service were superb.

‘I work in the design industry myself, in architectural design, so I really enjoyed the opportunity to get involved in this. I was involved in every step, from initial discussions about what I wanted to the first sketches, which are then converted to CAD 3D images, and even to the diamond selection. I learned so much from the designer Nicky, who walked me through every step and really looked after me.

‘I had a budget and was quite prepared to spend more than I would on just choosing a ready-made ring, but actually when you’re going bespoke you can manage your budget as you choose everything from the stones to the setting. You can see how much work goes into it all and you get to keep the sketches and final designs, which is a lovely keepsake.

‘I would recommend it to everyone. You know exactly what you’re getting and develop a relationship with real experts you know you can trust.’

Matt hadn’t just planned to surprise Lauren with a ring made to his own requirements, he planned to take her by surprise with a New York proposal too.

‘Lauren had no idea I was planning to propose,’ he says. ‘We flew to New York right after Christmas and on New Year’s Eve we went for breakfast and then a walk through Central Park. It was a beautiful crisp winter’s morning and we headed for Bow Bridge, a well-known beauty spot in the Park. There is a secluded bench nearby, from where you can see the bridge spanning the lake.’

Matt did the full down on bended knee, 100% romantic, proposal and Lauren said yes. The wedding is planned for next year, but before then they will be calling into Christopher Evans to start the design process on their wedding bands.

‘Lauren loved the ring,’ says Matt. ‘In fact, unbeknown to me, she’d found a picture of a ring she liked about 18 months earlier and had downloaded it to her phone. It’s remarkably similar to the one I designed for her, so I did well!

‘We’re definitely going back to have the wedding bands designed – and together this time!’

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Spotlight on: Alexandre Reza

alexandre reza sapphire and diamond earrings — Image: Sotheby’s

When talking jewellery designers of note, we automatically conjure names such as Tiffany, Harry Winston, Graf, Bulgari, Van Cleef & Arpels…and of course our own Mr Christopher Evans!

One name that, sadly, rarely comes to light is that of Alexandre Reza, the Russian-French jeweller who died earlier this year, leaving behind him an extraordinary collection of rare and precious gemstones and fine jewellery.

Reza was born in 1922, in Russia, to a family of jewellers who clearly saw the writing on the wall and moved to France, before the communist revolution in Russia closed down their chances of a free future pursuing their family business. They settled in Nice, where Alexandre learned his future trade in his father’s shop on rue de France.

After the second world war, Reza began his career as a diamond expert, travelling the world in search of the very best gemstones, which he then traded to many of the brands named above – Boucheron, Bulgari, Cartier, Chaumet, Gerard, Harry Winston, and Van Cleef & Arpels (but not Chris.)

He did not sell all his gemstones however; he established his own collection which he then used to found his own jewellery house in Paris in 1981, where he offered Haute Joaillerie: suites of necklaces, bracelets, earrings, rings, and objet d’art made from rare and fabulous gemstones: diamonds, emeralds, rubies and sapphires. His style is very much about opulence and luxury and his house became known for its extraordinary craftsmanship.

Sadly, Alexandre’s business was hit by a series of devastating robberies in the early part of this century and had never really regained its mojo – until Olivier Reza, Alexandre’s son, joined the business in 2008, leaving a career on Wall Street. He had some tough decisions to make – starting with whether or not it was time to close the business, or re-build. Thankfully, he chose the latter, mainly due to the incredible collection of unheated and untreated precious gems his father had built up on visits to Sri Lanka and Burma in the years after WWII.

White and blue diamond Toi et Moi rung — Image: Sotheby’s Toi et Moi ring from Alexandre Reza

He said, in an interview with The New York Times: ‘“After the war, my father was able to purchase quantities of natural and untreated stones in Ceylon and Burma. The Reza house currently possesses one of the world’s largest inventories of unheated and untreated coloured gemstones. When you sit on a fortune like that, you need vision and passion, and you cannot be in a hurry.”

He closed the retail stores and spend the next three years creating a new collection of fine jewellery, which was revealed in 2013 along with some vintage pieces from earlier years, in a public exhibition hosted by Sotheby’s.

The house of Reza is now firmly back on the jewellery map and his pieces act as inspiration for all lovers of fine jewellery and grand designs.

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A diamond is…

The concept of a diamond engagement ring, the glowing solitaire proudly displayed for friends and family to gasp over, is a relatively new one, in jewellery terms.

In fact, it’s probably one of the most successful marketing stories of all time. Positively genius, we say would say.

A diamond is not a rare gemstone. The intrinsic value of a diamond doesn’t increase in time (unless it’s a super-rare carat weight or colour) Diamonds are not rare, they’ve not been rare gemstones since 1870, when vast diamond mines were discovered in South Africa.

It was however this very discovery that led to the decision to plant the concept of the emotional value of diamonds in the public conscious, encouraging us to overlook the financial one.

The money-men behind the diamond mining operations in South Africa needed to make two things happen.

First, they needed to control the flow of diamonds into the world markets, to maintain their financial value as a trade-able commodity. They did this by taking ownership and control of the world diamond trade, establishing De Beers Consolidated. They stockpiled and strategically managed the flow of diamonds around the world – the perfect example of utilising the old ‘supply and demand’ model.

However, to make this really work, they needed to both control supply and engineer demand for their product.

During this period the world was entering into a period of huge upheaval and war, significantly denting the demand for diamonds, especially in Europe. As a result of the European crises, it was decided to focus on the American market and in 1938 De Beers appointed Philadelphia based advertising agency N W Ayer & Son. Remember, this is all pre-Mad Men era, when advertising was still at a very basic standard. What happened next was the start of something very clever indeed.

The agency knew that they needed make a diamond’s value something apart from its financial worth – and the emotional pull of love and marriage was where they aimed their energies. They started by using celebrities in the media. They released stories to the press celebrity proposals with diamond rings and had fashion designers talk about the new diamond trend on radio shows. Dorothy Dignam, a publicist for De Beers at N.W. Ayer, said: “The big ones sell the little ones,” and they spent a lot of time detailing the size and cut of these ‘celebrity diamonds’ (some things don’t change!)

They built an entire story around the diamond itself, with no actual brand to connect it to. It was all about the product, not at all about going to a specific place to buy this product.

In only four years diamond sales in America went up by 55%.

However, their masterstroke came in 1948, when they came up with what has to be the best slogan of all time: ‘A diamond is forever.’

This slogan crystallised the whole aim of De Beer’s marketing: a diamond – like your marriage – is forever. Not only would this encourage engagement ring purchases, but make sure nobody then sold their diamonds and disrupt their monopoly!

Like we said: genius.

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Bought it myself: the right hand ring

What does ‘right hand ring’ really mean?

There are a few myths and misunderstandings about the right hand ring, the greatest one being that these are rings bought for a woman by a man who does’t want to commit to the finality of marriage, but wants to put his symbol of ownership on you. What utter rubbish! It’s been our experience that the right hand ring is chosen and paid for as often by the woman herself as by a man.

We all know that left-hand ring fingers are traditionally given over only to an engagement ring or wedding band, but that doesn’t mean that right ring fingers need to remain unadorned. In fact, many women enjoy their right-hand rings even more than traditional engagement rings because they can be a true reflection of their taste and style. No need to stick with a solitaire diamond on this hand, rev up the right hand ring bling factor and make a statement about your own personal style!

Our personal favourite was the lovely lady who came in an announced, loud and proud, that she worked long hard hours in a demanding job with a bad tempered boss, kept house and cared for a husband and family and if anybody thought she was going to spend her bonus on anybody but herself, they could think again. You go girl!

Finding a right-hand ring that works for you

The beauty of the right-hand ring is that there are no rules for its design. You can opt for a simple and inexpensive one, or you can blow your entire life savings on a ruby to die for. Here are some thoughts to get you started:

Birthstones: Consider a ring that features your birthstone. Birthstones convey meanings that run deeper than the often very pretty colour and are a definite talking point.
Cocktail rings: Using less well-known and less pricey coloured gemstones you can create a piece that will speak volumes for who you are. The ring shown above has a blue tourmaline as a centre stone. This is a glorious gemstone that comes in all shades of the rainbow and delivers some serious bang for your buck.
Shout about it! Done something amazing? Celebrate your achievement with a special gift to yourself. Run a marathon for Cancer Research? What about a pink sapphire? New job and a pay rise? Choose a citrine (shown here) which is often called the success stone (also known as the money stone, so perhaps a citrine first, the promotion after?!)
Celebrating singleness. Don’t wait for a man to put a ring on it! Independent women know what they want and are perfectly capable of choosing their own ring, thank you very much!

Whatever your reasons for choosing a right hand ring, choose something you love. You might know exactly what you want, but if you’re seeking inspiration, then ask to see one of our jewellery designers who will open up a whole world of precious and semi-precious gemstones for you in a range of colours and cuts you hadn’t even dreamed existed.

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The birthstone for April is the diamond

The birthstone for April is the diamond. Diamonds are crystal – the ultimate example of symmetry in nature. In their natural form, diamonds are actually pretty unimpressive, but when cut and polished by skilled craftsmen in a pattern that reflects and refracts the light among its facets to reveal the hidden beauty of the stone, they are irresistible.

The ancient Romans and Greeks placed the diamond at the centre of their mythology, not least in their belief that diamonds were the tears of the gods, or splinters of stars that had fallen to earth. The ancient Romans believed that Cupid’s arrows were tipped with diamonds – possibly the earliest linking of diamonds to romance.

The Hindus, who were known to use diamonds in the eyes of their statues, believed that diamonds were created when bolts of lightning struck rocks and in Persian culture there exists a myth that God had no need for diamonds, gold, or any other precious metals or gems when he created the world. Satan, however spotted that Eve loved the brightly coloured flowers in the Garden of Eden and so it was he who created gemstones, in the same hues as our favourite blooms, to tempt humans. He did a great job – who isn’t drawn towards the fire and ice, rich hues and sparkle of a beautiful white diamond!

As time moved on diamonds became associated with steadfast, enduring love, probably due to their unmatched strength and bewitching beauty – and unsurprisingly has become the classic choice for an engagement ring.

The first recorded diamond engagement ring was given by Archduke Maximillian of Austria in 1477, to Mary of Burgundy. This sparked a trend for diamond rings among European aristocracy and nobility.

The sentimental Victorians popularised ornate engagement ring designs that mixed diamonds with other gemstones, precious metals and enamels. Often these rings were crafted in the shapes of flowers and were dubbed “posey rings.” Diamond rings crafted during the Edwardian era continued the tradition of pairing diamonds with other jewels, commonly mounted in filigree settings.

Diamonds were far beyond the reach of anyone but the very rich until the discovery of African diamond mines in the 1870s, run solely by the De Beers Company. In 1947, De Beers launched its now classic slogan, ‘A Diamond is Forever’ which worked brilliantly. A diamond’s strength, purity and sparkle have now become symbols of commitment in virtually all corners of the world.

April birthstone diamond

A list of birthstones in the UK

Every month has its own stone, precious or semi-precious, that by ancient wisdom give an indication of the wearer’s personality.

Our goldsmiths, working from our stores in Cheshire, have created some fabulous bespoke pieces using birthstones and you don’t need to spend a fortune to create something truly unique that will be treasured forever.

Many of the stones listed here actually occur naturally in a dazzling rainbow of different colours, so if your birth month is September, but a blue sapphire just doesn’t appeal – choose one in pink, or orange, or green!

Each stone is also, according to ancient belief, imbued with mystical powers that transfer to its wearer, so, whether or not the Aquamarine is your birthstone, by wearing it you are channelling its ability to boost your happiness and courage. Load of nonsense? Bit of fun? Whatever…it’s still a lovely stone.

Whatever your colour preference and whatever your budget, our goldsmiths can design and create the perfect piece of jewellery for you, just ask!

So, what’s your stone?

January: Garnet, faith and loyalty

February: Amethyst, sincerity and wittiness

March: Aquamarine, happiness and courage

April: Diamond or Rock Crystal, eternity and love

May: Emerald or Chrysophase, fidelity and fertility

June: Pearl or Moonstone, purity and nobility

July: Ruby or Carnelian, strength and beauty

August: Peridot or Sardonyx, protection and success

September: Sapphire or Lapis Lazuli, serenity and wisdom

October: Opal, hope and creativity

November: Topaz or Citrine, friendship and healing

December: Tanzanite or Turquoise, trust and luck

aquamarine bespoke birthstone cheshire citrine diamond emerald lapis lazuli moonstone opal peridot ruby sapphire topaz