Difference Between White Gold and Platinum: Complete Guide
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August 23, 2025
White gold is an alloy of yellow gold that’s rhodium-plated to appear bright white, while platinum is a naturally white, denser metal used in almost pure form. The result? White gold keeps its crisp lustre only while the plating lasts, weighs less on the finger and costs less upfront; platinum never yellows, feels satisfyingly substantial, […]
10 Types of Diamond Shapes: Chart, Cuts & UK Buying Guide
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November 9, 2025
Choosing a diamond starts with shape—the outline you see face‑up—yet it’s where many people get stuck. Shape affects how much a stone sparkles, how large it looks for its carat, how it sits on your hand and which settings will keep it secure. Add jargon like “bow‑tie”, step vs brilliant faceting, and length‑to‑width ratios, plus […]
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 […]
Conflict Diamonds: What Are They, Risks & How to Avoid Them
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October 18, 2025
Conflict or “blood” diamonds are rough diamonds mined in areas controlled by armed groups and sold to fund violence against legitimate governments. The trade has fuelled wars, mass displacement and grave human rights abuses, particularly in parts of Africa in the 1990s and early 2000s. Because cut and polished stones are indistinguishable, these diamonds can […]
Top 12 Heart Shape Diamond Engagement Ring Styles in the UK
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September 26, 2025
Shopping for a heart shape diamond engagement ring can feel daunting. The romance is obvious; the details are not. Heart cuts rely on precise symmetry to avoid a "mushy" cleft or heavy bow-tie, and the pointed tip needs thoughtful protection. Then there’s carat size (so the shape reads clearly), metal colour, comfort, and whether to […]
Gemology: What Is Gemology, Careers & How Gems Are Valued
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November 1, 2025
Gemology (often spelled gemmology in the UK) is the scientific study of gemstones. It focuses on identifying and analysing gem materials — natural and lab‑grown — by their physical and optical properties, origins, and any treatments. In practice, gemology helps us tell look‑alike stones apart, judge quality and value, and understand how a gem should […]
Radiant Cut Engagement Rings: 15 Styles, Costs & Buying Tips
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September 3, 2025
Searching for an engagement ring that marries the crisp outline of an emerald with the fire of a round brilliant? A radiant-cut diamond could be the answer. Its cropped corners form a neat square or elongated rectangle, while around 70 intricate facets produce a glittering “crushed-ice” sparkle that flatters every hand. Whether you’re browsing for […]
Wedding Band vs Engagement Ring: Key Differences & Etiquette
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August 22, 2025
An engagement ring is traditionally given at the proposal, usually showcasing a central gemstone to symbolise the promise of marriage, whereas a wedding band is exchanged during the ceremony, often a simpler metal ring that represents the formal commitment of marriage. Knowing why two rings exist—and whether you actually need both—can save heart-ache and money […]
Natural Diamond vs Lab Grown: Cost, Value, Ethics & Sparkle
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September 19, 2025
Natural and lab-grown diamonds are both 100 % carbon crystals with the same hardness, fire and brilliance you expect on an engagement ring. The difference lies not on the finger but in the journey: one spent billions of years under continental plates; the other formed in a plasma chamber last month. As a result, price, […]
How To Clean Diamond Rings At Home: Restore Sparkle Safely
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October 4, 2025
Your diamond ring should flash with fire every time it catches the light, but everyday life has other ideas. Hand cream, soap residue, cooking oils and dust build up into a fine film that blocks brilliance and leaves even the most beautiful stone looking flat. Because your ring is precious, it’s natural to worry about […]





