The 4Cs — at a glance.
Shape, Carat, Clarity, Colour and Cut. Understanding each one helps you make a decision you will be proud of — and lets you find the best diamond within any budget.
The shape of the stone
Shape is the most visually distinct characteristic of any diamond. It refers to the geometric outline of the stone as seen from above. Shape is personal — choose the one that moves you.
Weight, not size — but closely related
Carat refers to the weight of a diamond (1 carat = 0.2 grams), not its diameter. Larger stones cost significantly more per carat. Below shows approximate top-view diameter for each weight in a round brilliant.
Internal characteristics
Clarity grades describe the presence of internal inclusions and surface blemishes. Most inclusions are invisible to the naked eye. VS2 and SI1 are the sweet spot — eye-clean at a fraction of the cost of IF or VVS grades.
Sweet spot
Best value
The absence of colour
Diamond colour is graded D (completely colourless) to Z (noticeable yellow). The difference between adjacent grades is subtle. G and H are the practical sweet spot — nearly colourless to the eye, significantly less expensive than D–F.
★ G–H is where most DE clients land. Visually identical to D–F when set in white gold or platinum, at a meaningfully lower price.
The most important of the 4Cs
Cut grade describes how well a diamond's facets interact with light. A poorly cut diamond will look dull regardless of its colour or clarity. Always choose Excellent or Very Good cut. A well-cut diamond catches light across a room.
Too flat. Light exits through the sides and base rather than reflecting back through the top. Appears dull and glassy.
Perfectly proportioned. Light enters, reflects off internal facets, and returns through the top as brilliance, fire, and scintillation.
Too steep. Light exits through the sides before completing its reflection path. The stone looks dark in the centre.
Both are
real diamonds.
Natural and lab-grown diamonds are chemically, physically, and optically identical. The difference is origin — and price. Here is what actually matters when you choose.
Same chemical structure as a natural diamond. GIA and IGI certified.
Lab-grown diamonds cost significantly less per carat for the same grade.
The same budget often gets you double the carat weight in lab-grown.
Mohs scale hardness identical to natural. Indistinguishable to the eye.
Side by side
The same characteristics, graded by the same laboratories, on a different budget.
| Natural Diamond | Lab-Grown Diamond | |
|---|---|---|
| Chemical composition | Carbon (C) | Carbon (C) — identical |
| Hardness (Mohs) | 10 | 10 — identical |
| Brilliance & fire | Full | Full — identical |
| Certification | GIA, IGI, AGS | GIA, IGI — same labs |
| Origin | Earth-mined Billions of years |
Laboratory grown Weeks to months |
| Price (1ct G VS1) | approx. R 95,000–R 130,000 | approx. R 18,000–R 28,000 |
| Resale value | Moderate to strong | Lower — a known trade-off |
| Detectability | Natural | Requires specialist equipment |
Same budget. Two very different stones.
At R 65,000, this is what you can get with each option:
- ColourD
- ClarityVVS1
- CutTriple Excellent
- CertIGI Certified
- ColourG
- ClarityVS1
- CutExcellent
- CertGIA Certified
Search both — side by side.
Our live inventory includes 190,000+ natural and lab-grown certified diamonds. Filter by budget, carat, shape and grade to find exactly what you are looking for.
This guide is built on DE·CIDE™ — the six steps to buying a diamond with complete confidence.
Every section below maps to one of these steps. Read in order, or jump directly to what you need.
Choose your shape.
Shape is the first and most personal decision. It defines the look and character of the ring — and also affects price, face-up size, and how light performs.
Round Brilliant
Maximum brilliance. The most popular shape — 58 facets designed to reflect every ray of light.
Oval
Elongates the finger. Near-round brilliance with a softer, romantic outline and larger face-up size.
Cushion
Rounded corners and a soft square outline. Strong fire and a classic, vintage-inspired feel.
Emerald
Step-cut facets create a mirror-like hall of mirrors effect. Elegant and architectural — clarity matters more.
Princess
Square with brilliant-cut facets for strong light return. Modern and bold — the second most popular shape.
Pear
Teardrop silhouette — point worn toward fingertip elongates the hand beautifully. Distinctive and feminine.
Heart
The most romantic silhouette. Demands an Excellent cut to maintain symmetry — critical for this shape.
Marquise
Elongated pointed ellipse — the largest face-up area per carat of any shape. Makes diamonds appear larger.
Radiant
Cropped corners with brilliant facets — the brilliance of a round in a rectangular frame. Bold and modern.
Carat is weight, not size.
Two diamonds of equal carat weight can look very different. A well-cut 0.90ct can appear larger than a poorly-cut 1.00ct. What you see is always more important than what the certificate says.
Average diameter of a well-cut round brilliant at each weight. Measurements vary slightly by cut proportions. A shallow-cut diamond appears larger face-up but leaks light from the sides — which is why Cut always comes first.
What does clarity mean?
Clarity measures the presence of internal inclusions and surface blemishes. Most inclusions are invisible to the naked eye — and the difference between VS2 and IF is one you will never see without a loupe.
The sweet spot is VS1–VS2.
Eye-clean at this grade range, with inclusions visible only under 10× magnification. You pay for perfection you cannot see above VS2 — and you accept visible risk below SI2.
SI1 can be eye-clean in round brilliants — the facets scatter light and hide inclusions effectively. In step cuts like emerald, SI1 requires individual inspection.
Always ask: Is this stone eye-clean? — not just what the grade says.
FL–IF
Flawless
No inclusions visible under 10× magnification. Extremely rare and commands a significant premium. Indistinguishable from VS1 to the naked eye.
Premium gradeVVS1–2
Very Very Slight
Minute inclusions — extremely difficult to find even under 10× magnification. Excellent option if budget allows.
ExcellentVS1–2
Very Slight
Minor inclusions visible only under magnification. Completely eye-clean. This is the sweet spot — maximum quality you can actually see.
Sweet spotSI1–2
Slightly Included
Inclusions noticeable under magnification. SI1 is often eye-clean in rounds. SI2 requires individual inspection — never buy on grade alone.
Value rangeReading the colour scale.
The GIA colour scale runs D (colourless) to Z (light yellow). For most buyers, G–H is the practical ideal — it appears white in the setting and costs significantly less than the top grades.
G–H is the practical ideal.
The difference between D and G is invisible to the naked eye in a set ring. You pay a significant premium to go from G to D — and you cannot see it without a comparison stone next to it.
Metal choice affects colour: In yellow gold, an I or J colour reads as beautifully warm and appears white. In platinum or white gold, stay in the G–H range.
Lab-grown diamonds follow the same scale. The colour difference between natural and lab-grown stones at equivalent grades is imperceptible.
D–F
Colourless
Absolutely colourless. D is the rarest and most expensive. Indistinguishable from G–H in a setting. Best paired with platinum.
Premium tierG–H
Near Colourless
Appears white face-up in all setting types. The best value position on the scale — eye-clean and significantly more affordable than D–F.
Sweet spotI–J
Near Colourless
Slight warmth visible in larger stones face-up. Excellent value in yellow gold settings where the metal warms the tone beautifully.
Value in yellow goldK–Z
Faint–Light
Visible colour tint. Generally avoided in engagement rings unless an intentional warm or champagne stone effect is desired.
Speciality useCut is the most important decision.
Cut grade determines how a diamond interacts with light — its brilliance, fire, and scintillation. An Excellent cut makes a lower-colour diamond outshine a high-colour stone with a Poor cut. Never compromise on Cut.
What does your budget get you?
Diamond prices are quoted in USD and converted at live exchange rate. Rand pricing fluctuates with the market. All ranges below reflect current typical values — exact pricing depends on specific stone and availability.
Entry
Under
R 25 000
Lab-grown round brilliant, 0.50–0.80ct, G–H colour, VS2–SI1 clarity, Excellent cut. Outstanding value — a genuinely beautiful ring at this range.
Lab-grown idealMid range
R 25 000 –
R 60 000
Lab-grown 1.00–1.50ct with excellent grades, or a natural 0.50–0.70ct GIA-certified stone. Both will produce a beautiful, head-turning ring.
Most popular rangePremium
R 60 000 –
R 120 000
Natural 0.70–1.00ct GIA-certified stone with strong grades, or a premium lab-grown 1.50–2.00ct. This is where the full quality of the collection opens up.
Natural & lab both strongSignature
R 120 000+
Natural 1ct+ GIA with top grades across all 4Cs, or lab-grown 2ct+ with exceptional clarity and Excellent cut. Complete access to our full live inventory.
Full inventory accessWhat matters most
when choosing a diamond?
Most buyers spend hours comparing colour and clarity — and forget the one factor that affects how a diamond looks more than anything else.
Follow this order. Make every decision in sequence and you will never compromise in the wrong place.
-
01
Cut
The most important factor. Cut determines brilliance — how a diamond reflects and refracts light. An Excellent cut makes a lower-colour diamond outshine a higher-colour one. Never compromise here.
-
02
Certification
Never buy an uncertified diamond. GIA and IGI are the gold standard. Certification confirms every grade claim is independently verified and protects your investment.
-
03
Shape
Round brilliant maximises light return. Oval, emerald, and cushion offer character. Shape is personal — but it also affects face-up size and price per carat.
-
04
Carat
Carat is weight, not size. Two diamonds of the same carat can look very different based on cut proportions. A well-cut 0.90ct often looks larger than a poorly-cut 1.00ct.
-
05
Colour & Clarity balance
G–H colour and VS1–VS2 clarity is the sweet spot for most buyers: eye-clean, visually near-colourless, and significantly more affordable than top grades.
Never buy without a certificate.
A diamond certificate is an independent grading report from a recognised gemological laboratory. It confirms that every characteristic of your diamond — cut, colour, clarity, and carat — has been objectively verified by a third party.
GIA
Gemological Institute of America
The most trusted grading laboratory in the world. GIA established the 4Cs and maintains the most consistent, stringent grading standards globally. A GIA certificate is the gold standard — full stop.
Best for: Natural diamonds. When you need absolute assurance and long-term value retention.
IGI
International Gemological Institute
The most widely used certification for lab-grown diamonds. IGI grading is widely respected and accepted across the industry. Rigorous, reliable, and the standard for most lab-grown stones.
Best for: Lab-grown diamonds. Where GIA is not always available and IGI fills the gap without compromise.
You have the knowledge.
Now find the diamond.
190 000+ GIA and IGI certified natural and lab-grown diamonds, searchable by cut, colour, clarity, carat, and shape. Build your ring in the Ring Studio — or WhatsApp us and we will guide you through every decision.