Diamond Shape Guide: Choose the Perfect Cut for Your Ring
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December 13, 2025
Diamond shape refers to the geometric outline of a diamond when viewed from above. Whilst many people use "shape" and "cut" interchangeably, they’re actually different characteristics. Shape describes the physical form—round, oval, princess, emerald, and so on—whilst cut refers to how well the diamond’s facets interact with light. This distinction matters because the shape you […]
What Is a Hidden Halo Engagement Ring? Pros, Styles & Cost
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October 28, 2025
A hidden halo engagement ring frames the base of the centre stone with a delicate circle of tiny diamonds set in the gallery. From above it looks like a sleek solitaire; from the side, the halo glints into view, boosting sparkle and perceived size. This guide covers how hidden halos differ from traditional halos, their […]
Rapaport Diamond Price List: How It Works And How To Access
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February 4, 2026
When you’re shopping for a diamond engagement ring, you’ll likely encounter references to the Rapaport diamond price list, the industry’s most widely used benchmark for pricing polished diamonds. This weekly report influences how jewellers, dealers, and wholesalers worldwide determine the value of their stones based on carat weight, colour, and clarity. At A Star Diamonds, […]
How Natural Diamonds Are Formed: Mantle, Pressure, Eruption
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December 3, 2025
Natural diamonds form deep inside the Earth under extreme conditions you can barely imagine. Carbon atoms bond together roughly 150 to 200 kilometres beneath your feet, where temperatures reach 900 to 1,300 degrees Celsius and pressure hits 50,000 times what you feel at sea level. This process takes between 1 and 3.5 billion years. Then […]
Introduction To Gemology: The Complete Beginner’s Guide
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January 15, 2026
An introduction to gemology starts with understanding that gemology is the scientific study of gemstones. It covers everything from how gems form in the earth to how you identify them using specific tools and tests. Whether you’re choosing an engagement ring or simply curious about the stones in your jewellery box, knowing the basics helps […]
5 Benefits of Lab Grown Diamonds for UK Engagement Rings
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November 14, 2025
Choosing an engagement ring should feel exciting, not overwhelming. Yet many couples find themselves torn between wanting a beautiful, meaningful diamond and staying within budget, while also caring about ethics and the environment. Add the mixed messages about lab‑grown stones—are they “real”, will they last, what’s the catch?—and it’s easy to hesitate at the point […]
18 Types of Ring Settings Explained for UK Engagement Rings
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August 22, 2025
A ring’s setting is the metal framework that grips your diamond or gemstone, dictating how brilliantly it catches the light, how often it needs servicing, and even whether it will snag a winter glove on the Northern Line. Choose well, and the stone stays secure and sparkling for decades; choose poorly, and you could be […]
What to Say When Proposing: Scripts, Tips & Examples
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October 27, 2025
You know exactly what you want to ask — but finding the right words can feel harder than choosing the ring. You want to sound sincere, not scripted; personal, not cheesy; composed, not tongue‑tied. Whether you’re planning a quiet moment at home or a big surprise with an audience, it’s normal to worry about blanking, […]
How Are Lab Diamonds Made? HPHT vs CVD, Seeds & Timeframes
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October 7, 2025
Lab‑grown diamonds are real diamonds crystallised from pure carbon in a controlled environment. Using advanced equipment to recreate either extreme heat and pressure (HPHT) or a carbon‑rich plasma (CVD), technicians grow diamond crystals in weeks rather than geological time. Chemically, physically and optically they match mined diamonds; the difference is origin, not substance. This guide […]
Where To Buy Conflict Free Diamonds: A UK Buyer’s Guide
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January 28, 2026
Choosing an engagement ring is one of life’s most meaningful purchases, and for many buyers, knowing their diamond hasn’t funded violence or human rights abuses matters just as much as the stone’s sparkle. If you’re searching for where to buy conflict free diamonds in the UK, you’re not alone, ethical sourcing has become a priority […]





