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So let us narrow down these variables and consider the pricing of a one carat, round brilliant cut natural diamond...

For discerning clients wanting their belly piercing to complement the quality of their engagement ring and other diamond jewellery, Pobjoy collection and bespoke diamond belly ring designs are really the only option.  

While those of us in the jewellery business have obvious reason to keep abreast of developments in the prices of precious metals, gems and diamonds, the majority of people do not. So have you seen the latest price of gold? Well it's a lot higher than it was a few months ago. In fact, it's the highest it has ever been (when not adjusted for inflation). Because this blog is not intended to be an economics lesson (phew!) nor a platform for predicting commodity prices (I've never met anyone yet who can), we just felt it worth highlighting.  The reality is that the various stages and parties involved in creating fine jewellery are acutely sensitive to substantial movements in raw material prices.  These movements inevitably drive higher retail prices in turn, such that this is relevant to customers and retailers alike. For an item of fine jewellery with precious metal representing a relatively small proportion of it's overall cost, such as a premium grade one carat diamond ring, movements in the gold price have only a moderate impact on the retailers' pricing. Even less so if it is made from 9 carat gold, as this contains only 37.5% gold, mixed with other alloys. But the typical retail price of a heavyweight, 18 carat solid gold curb chain is likely to fluctuate much more proportionately to the underlying price of gold.  Which means right now that gold chain will cost you quite a bit more than just a couple of years ago. So is gold now more expensive than platinum? Yes - and it has been for a while. However, platinum, which is visually almost identical to 18 carat white gold, is denser and harder, which makes it more challenging to work with in the creation of fine jewellery. And as it is denser, a greater weight of platinum is required to create the identical item if made in 18 carat white gold. Along with it's hypoallergenic credentials and resistance to tarnishing or yellowing, platinum had for a long time been  the more coveted - and more expensive - option when buying jewellery. These qualities still apply. The only difference now is that the price has gone up a lot less than gold.

The popularity of "white" precious metals (such as platinum and white gold) for diamond ring settings has been firmly in place for the past twenty years.This has been compounded by the prevalence of platinum and white gold fine jewellery in general, as most people tend to want to match their engagement and wedding rings with their existing creations.       While we still see a majority of our customers opting for white precious metals, in the past two years the demand for engagement rings in yellow gold mounts has made a resurgence. The same applies to other diamond and fine jewellery purchases.                         Of course both types of precious metal look fabulous, especially when punctuated by a fiery diamond bristling with radiant brilliance. So it is purely down to personal preference.One thing worth considering however is that platinum does tend to retain it's smoothness and texture for a little longer than gold and that 18k gold is much more durable than 9k.       This is particulalrly relevant in the case of a bridal ring, as it will invariably be worn up close against another ring and therefore be subjected to continuous wear and abrasions.Whether you prefer white, yellow or rose tones you will find a myriad of options in our extensive ready made and custom made collections. Or contact us for free draft designs and pricing for your very own bespoke commission.

Many industries have specific periods during the year when genuine price reductions are offered.   This may be due to seasonal factors but in the vast majority of cases boils down to the same thing - a slow down in demand combined with excess supply.   Clothing retailers are a perfect example, offering substantial reductions on unsold summer inventory as autumn approaches.   So what about diamonds and engagement rings?     The honest answer is that it depends.   It is worth pointing out that some retailers are permanently running "sales" promotions, listing items with unrealistic "pre-sale" price tags alongside the current so-called sale price.   Leaving those aside, seasonal factors do have some influence upon demand, but these are not significant. For one thing, the process of deciding to buy an engagement ring, researching what to buy and from whom and then having the ring created is often a protracted affair, rather than an impulse purchase.   And unlike a television or a new car, high quality engagement rings are rarely homogenous and therefore more difficult to compare in terms of actual value.   Nevertheless, the majority of engagement ring purchases are actually made between October and April with December to February the busiest.   The quietest month is typically August but it should be noted that this varies between retailers.   In terms of supply, very large retail chains tend to indirectly influence diamond pricing across the industry between July and August.   This is because wholesale buying decisions must be made at that time in anticipation of the busy final quarter. This in turn is met by an increase in the supply of polished, jewellery grade diamonds.   This surge in supply is not always met by sufficient demand, such that diamond prices tend to soften temporarily.    How much of a difference this makes to the retail price of an engagement ring is dependent upon several factors; primarily the carat weight, colour and clarity of the diamond.   Put simply, if you are looking to buy a large and higher priced E/VS1 round brilliant cut solitaire diamond ring from an independent jeweller, there is a good chance of negotiating a discount while the sun is still high in the sky.   In the case of a diamond ring set with a smaller solitaire diamond, there won't be much by way of reductions in cost to pass on.

A key component to our ethical policy is to clearly differentiate between natural earth mined diamonds and lab-grown diamonds across all our marketing channels. Providing as much transparency and educational resources regarding our diamonds and fine jewellery is paramount in achieving the very best outcomes for all our customers. Independent, third party diamond grading and certification provide perhaps the greatest assurance when making a purchase from Pobjoy Diamonds, as well as more granular details which are often not volunteered by other retailers. We therefore welcome a new standard for lab-grown diamonds, which will provide much-needed “clarity” for retailers and consumers when it launches in 2024, according to the Responsible Jewellery Council (RJC). (For the full article see Professional Jeweller July 2023)   The organisation first unveiled plans to develop a standard for lab-grown materials (LGMs) in 2021 as a way to establish best practice – including the requirement for full disclosure – for such materials when used in jewellery products. It has gone through several rounds of public consultations and input from the multi-stakeholder Standards Committee to ensure the development provides a clear and robust framework for both the trade and consumers. Melanie Grant, executive director of the RJC, stated: “At the RJC we know there is a market and demand for both natural and lab-grown diamonds. “We believe that consumers should fully understand the source behind both – whether that is mined from the earth for natural diamonds, or manufactured in a factory for lab-grown diamonds. “There are existing standards for natural diamonds; the need for a completely new set of comprehensive standards covering lab-grown diamonds is recognised by the industry.   Courtesy of The Professional Jeweller   

Tastes and trends in engagement ring styles tend to evolve gradually over time. Nevertheless, certain designs do ebb and flow in popularity, often as a function of the latest rings adorning high profile celebrities and influencers. Also playing a role in determining consumer choice are the predictions published each January by numerous glossy magazines.    Take for example this article from Glamour magazine, published in January, highlighting several design styles expected to lead the way in 2023. From our experience so far, some of these predictions have indeed been born out by our customers' preferences.       Art Deco themed designs, emerald and radiant cut stones and especially diamond trilogy rings have all seen a rise in popularity. Engagement rings featuring diamonds combined with richly coloured gemstones have also blossomed.         This has been particularly true of fancy shaped coloured gemstones such as emerald, marquise, oval and pear cuts. While the choice of gemstone is often determined by the appropriate birthstone of the recipient, rubies and blue sapphires remain favourites.        Yet the classic solitaire diamond ring remains marginally the most popular of styles, albeit that cushion, pear, radiant and marquise shapes have become increasingly sort after. And for those wishing to add some extra touches, subtle accents - such as "surprise diamonds" set inside the shank of the ring or a hidden halo of diamonds just below the solitaire - are the order of the day.         Regardless of the specific design and preferred gemstone, yellow gold continues it's resurgence as the preferred setting, after several years of playing second fiddle to platinum and white gold.   EXPLORE ENGAGEMENT RING STYLES EXPLORE BESPOKE RINGS  REQUEST YOUR FREE BESPOKE DESIGN QUOTE SEE THE POBJOY STANDARD  ARRANGE A VISIT TO POBJOY DIAMONDS GET INSPIRATION FROM A-LISTERS 

Are natural mined diamonds going up in value? After all, the prices of most other commodities, food, energy, travel and products and services in general seem to be rising relentlessly. And of course, the recent embargo on Russian-sourced natural diamonds should if anything dent supply, thereby putting upward pressure on market values of diamonds to some degree. However, prices have not been rising. In fact, since November 2022, the average price of diamonds has fallen by around 15%. Why? Graph courtesy of Diamondse.info The truth is that no one knows why precisely, but there are several factors likely to have been weighing on prices, to one extent or another. And while it is always unwise to deduce too much from averages, it is clear from the more detailed graphs below that the fall has also been largely consistent across the various carat weights, from 0.25 to over 5.00.    Graphs courtesy of Pricescope.com So here are a few of the variables to consider with regards to the movement in prices; The boycotting of Russian-sourced diamonds is essentially of little significance. For one thing, this was only introduced in the past few weeks. And because the majority of rough, uncut diamonds find their way to the Indian continent for precision cutting before being sold on through diamond dealer networks in other parts of the world, the sometimes opaque traceability means this is likely to have only a moderate impact overall upon average global prices in the months ahead either. The rampant cost-of-living inflation has not been confined to the UK, even though it is a fact that post-Brexit, the rate and strength of price increases has been materially higher here than in any EU country or the USA. With cost of living inflation (rather than asset price inflation) ranging between 5% (USA), 7% (EU) and 11% (UK) and overtaking wage growth, it is easy to understand that purchases of luxury, non-essential items such as diamonds  are bound to have dipped.     Jwaneng Diamond Mine, Botswana. Image courtesy of SGL Labs    Interest rate increases have inevitably played their part too; not by reducing reckless discretionary spending (there wasn't much of that in the first place) but because they have most probably actually contributed to inflation and, importantly, to a decline in consumer and business confidence. When people are feeling the squeeze on their financial resources and only see things getting tighter still, they are inevitably averse to making relatively big ticket, luxury purchases or will have a reduced budget at their disposal to do so. Historically, during periods of uncertainty and as protection from rising inflation, there has been a propensity to buy precious gems and gold. Those higher interest rates now available on cash deposits represent an attractive alternative. After a mark down in prices by Rapaport in March/April 2020 at the start of COVID, compounded by a fall in demand related to the pandemic, the subsequent lifting of lockdown restrictions by late 2021 saw diamond prices recover sharply, likely due to pent up demand and increased personal savings. Ergo, this more recent retracement in prices was inevitable.  Lab grown diamonds, the scourge of the traditional mined diamond industry (including Rapaport, the long standing diamond-trade dealing platform and influencer of pricing) have gained significantly in popularity. And their affordability appeals beyond "Generation Z". In fact, although the data needs to be qualified and contextualised, sales by volume of jewellery-standard lab grown diamonds have practically doubled year on year since 2020. Whether you are a fan or not, the irrefutable rise in demand for lab grown stones will clearly have detracted from sales of natural mined diamonds. The relatively much lower retail price of lab grown diamonds (which have also fallen in recent months) is not the only factor driving their popularity. Younger couples (and older ones increasingly) are just as motivated by their ethical credentials, which is another detractor away from mined diamonds. Specialised diamond growing laboratory   While these variables are not exhaustive, it is clear that the world in general is more confusing and challenging for the vast majority of people than it has been in many years. This does not create the most conducive environment for consumer spending, at least in the short term. It also means that it is extremely difficult to pinpoint any specific causal factor - let alone identify how and when things are likely to improve. What we did note with some interest was the recently aired Netflix documentary "Nothing Lasts Forever" regarding the true value of natural diamonds, and concerns over the future of the mined diamond industry in the face of, what the production referred to as, (sic) a synthetic diamond proliferation. (A synthetic diamond is a term more accurately used to describe a moissanite or cubic zirconia. A lab grown diamond is in fact a diamond, evolved under laboratory conditions. It is neither a synthetic nor a fake diamond). By way of some editorial balance, enthusiastic advocates of lab diamonds were juxtaposed against their critics. Most vociferous of these critics was one of the key contributors, Rapaport himself. His eponymous diamond trading and pricing organisation has been extremely reluctant to embrace the growth in lab diamond popularity in any way whatsoever This will not come as a shock to anyone. To illustrate the point, if the buying public were, for some reason, to fall out of love with natural mined diamonds or - at the very least - deem prices too high relative to the lab grown variety, it would spell the end to an enviably profitable, long standing business empire. But the extent of the vitriol expressed by Rapaport was rather revealing.  Or to put it another way, the man doth protest too much. Of course the price of diamonds, as with the price of any "commodity", has always fluctuated over time. You only need to look at the graphs above. And over the longer term, market prices have generally held on to an uptrend, albeit with plenty of volatility along the way. It is also true that the relative scarcity of investment grade diamonds and inherent costs involved in finding and mining the rough stones makes them intrinsically more expensive to produce. Nevertheless it is pertinent to note that the acute recovery in diamond prices, after the sharp downturn of the 2008/2009 financial crisis, played out in a world practically oblivious to lab created diamonds.  This is no longer the case. So may be this time it will be different. Only time will tell. The good news is that if you are planning on buying a natural mined diamond in the near future, it will cost you a little less than it would have done just a few months ago. And if you are in the market for a lab grown diamond, the choice of grade, shape and carat weight is greater than ever.   PRICE CHART UPDATED NOVEMBER 2024   Read more about natural mined and lab diamond comparisons Expert diamond advice The diamond 4C's  Published June 2023 by Pobjoy Diamonds Lab grown diamond trends courtesy of Edahn Golan, Diamond Research & Data  

This post includes excerpts from an article originally published online by JCK in 2021. We are increasingly asked how a natural diamond can be distinguished from a lab created stone. It is both a very good and extremely important question. After all, with the difference in value between a large high grade natural diamond and an equivalent grade lab grown diamond being tens of thousands of pounds, there is a lot riding on it. And the reality is that it is an increasingly challenging task, and of which the diamond grading institutes are acutely aware. Unsurprisingly, they often are called upon to verify whether a particular diamond is naturally formed or lab created, with fraudsters endeavouring to match lab grown diamonds with the precise grading specifications of existing natural diamonds' GIA and IGI certificates. To quote Tom Moses, the executive vice president of the GIA, one of the world's most respected grading institutes “What seems to be occurring with more frequency is people are being very careful in making the copy as close to the original as possible. So if you take a look at the report data and you take a look at the stone, look at the colour, look at the proportions, the girdle thickness, and put it on the scale, you’ll find they are virtually the same. [The cheaters] are being extremely careful at finding matches for material that mimics the natural diamond.” However, the GIA and the IGI say they can identify all lab grown diamonds using highly specialised scientific equipment. And in some cases, certain lab-grown diamonds have bluish, greenish or brownish tinges—due to treatments or boron doping—which could be a possible clue, although Moses notes some natural diamonds have these tinges too. (read more about BGM here). “It isn’t always such a red flag that most people would notice it,” he says. The GIA also now offers a low-cost update and verification service to both the trade and the public. Moses says that they are also working on an “imaging system where a dealer could take the captured image of the diamond and send it to the cloud and, using artificial intelligence and algorithms, we would be able to say, ‘Yes, that is the diamond that we graded,’ or ‘No, that is not the diamond we graded.’ I believe that will essentially make this issue go away.” This pragmatic and proactive approach adopted by the grading institutes is certainly reassuring.  Nevertheless, it demonstrates that even the most respected grading labs in the world are only able to tell the two types of diamond apart by remaining at the very top of their game.   Read more about lab grown diamonds Read more about diamond grading and certification  

Unlike most fashion accessories, trends in jewellery tend to have longevity. In fact some trends survive for decades rather than a few months. And when buying an item of fine jewellery, it is crucial that you go for what you truly love and honestly see yourself having plenty of opportunities to wear, rather than on rare occasions.   While there are several different themes to current jewellery trends, some have been commanding attention for some time.  Both Tiffany and Givenchy have been proactive in the renaissance of pearl accessories, particularly of the larger, irregular shaped jumbo variety.  On "main street", Pandora has also developed a following for it's pearl earring, bracelet and necklace collections. One concern for some consumers however is in understanding what exactly they are buying. In the vast majority of cases, we are talking freshwater cultured pearls. This means that they are grown under controlled conditions by inserting a bead into an oyster shell, then nurtured until a desirable pearl has evolved. Baroque and jumbo pearls are asymmetrically shaped and are typically less valuable than perfectly spherical examples. Whether round or oval, they show little sign of dropping out of style any time soon.   Shop pearl jewellery Caring for pearl jewellery Guide to pearls  

Oscar Winning Jewellery 2023 While not without it's critics, the Oscars remain the ultimate annual celebration of Hollywood glamour. But it's not just fantastic couture dresses on show. Fabulous jewellery also grabs the limelight.      Of course not all the jewellery on display would be suitable for anything other than the most glamorous of occasions. Nor is most if actually owned by the fortunate celebrities who get to wear it, even though many could afford to. In fact it is customary for some of the world's most iconic jewellery houses to lend selected, rarely seen creations to the biggest stars exclusively for this very high profile event... To see some highlights of this year's jewellery and our chosen winner click here    

In response to numerous requests from our existing clients, we have launched a new diamond jewellery and engagement ring replication service starting January 2023. While we offer a discount to clients who have previously purchased natural diamond jewellery from Pobjoy, this service is also available to new customers. The premise is straightforward enough; send us images of your existing piece of diamond jewellery (or the item itself) including key measurements and whatever details you have regarding it's diamond/s and we will create a copy.     We will then source certified lab created diamonds to perfectly match the original stone/s and match the precious metal in which it is set. So your finished piece will look and feel exactly the same as the original, but at a much lower price. Of course, if you would prefer us to set higher grade lab created diamonds or your preferred natural mined diamond in the replica piece, we will do that instead. And we guarantee that your new ring will display exactly the same exceptional quality and crafsmanship as every one of our other creations. If you have a personalised message or other unique feature that you would like us to include, no problem. We want to ensure that you feel just as happy wearing your replica piece as you do the original. So on those occasions when you don't feel comfortable wearing your high value diamond jewellery, now you can...   Wear your replica ring in circumstances you are concerned about theft Wear it in the event of loss of - or damage to - your natural diamond ring Reduce insurance premiums, subject to your insurer's terms & conditions    Find out more Request your obligation-free quote    

Diamond stud earrings are a must. They are often referred to as the "little black dress" of diamond jewellery...

Pink diamonds continue to be the world’s most highly sought "fancy" diamond colour. So you can imagine the excitement when Western Australian-based Lucapa Diamond Company unearthed this huge 170 carat pink diamond from the Lulo mine in Angola.     The type IIa rough has been dubbed the Lulo Rose and is believed to be the largest pink diamond discovered in the past three centuries. The largest pink diamond, Darya-i-Noor, polished at 186 carats originates from the Kollur Mine in India. The diamond is currently part of the Iranian crown jewels in Tehran. The Pink Star (59.6 carats)  shattered auction records when it was sold for $71.2 million at Sotheby’s in 2017. Many other pink diamonds have produced staggering results at auction. The 34.65-carat Princie Diamond fetched $39.3 million while 24.78-carat Graff Pink was sold for $46.2 million. Lucapa has revealed plans to sell the diamond through an international tender conducted by Angola’s state-run diamond marketing company, Sodiam. Explore pink ethical diamonds Explore fancy coloured diamonds   This blog includes excerpts from an original article by Samuel Ord in Jeweller magazine, published July 28, 2022 .  

Diamonds displaying noticeable colour hues are also known as "fancy coloured diamonds". They come in all kinds of tones, with yellow being the most prevalent, while pinks and blues are much rarer.     As with white colourless diamonds, reputable gemological institutions such as the IGI and GIA evaluate, grade and certify coloured diamonds using standardised metrics. With fancy diamonds the focus is of course on colour. Colour is assessed based on tone and intensity starting from faint through to vivid and dark. This colour tone and intensity (assuming the diamond is well cut and proportioned) is what informs the beauty and desirability of each stone - and indeed it's rarity. Accordingly, a sought-after premium grade vivid blue or pink coloured diamond carries with it a hefty price tag.     And while the value of well cut white diamonds increases exponentially with carat weight, this is even more exaggerated in the case of fancy diamonds. For example, a half carat round brilliant cut fancy pink diamond of VS clarity is likely to set you back a cool £40,000 - assuming you can find one. See Colour Charts   However, a full one carat version will be nearer £100,000. In blue, the price may be as much as double that. Which leads us neatly on to the more accessible alternative; fancy lab created diamonds.    0.55 carat fancy intense pink VS2 lab diamonds As the focus of this particular blog is upon coloured lab diamonds we shall not delve too deeply into comparisons with mined diamonds in general. However, you can find out more about lab created diamonds here. Needless to say, a fancy lab diamond and a mined diamond of the same carat weight, colour, cut and clarity look identical and have the same chemical composition and properties. But when it comes to price, the difference is breathtaking. Establishing precise price comparables is tricky, primarily because there simply aren't that many desirable coloured mined diamonds available at any given time. Nevertheless, this IGI certified, 0.70 carat round brilliant cut fancy intense pink VS1 mined diamond we estimate would be priced in the region of £65,000.    Play video    By way of comparison, the same colour and specification lab created version is available from Pobjoy Diamonds for just £2,495  * And if pink isn't your thing, perhaps this 1.10 carat fancy vivid blue cushion cut tickles your fancy?  We estimate the mined diamond version would fetch around £120,000. Or you could buy this IGI certified ethically created lab version for £3,850.    Play video   While the availability of coloured lab diamonds is more plentiful than earth created equivalents, truly desirable ones remain strictly limited at any given time. As with white lab diamonds, it is crucial to seek out premium cut, grade and colour examples. You may also need some patience, but it will be worth the wait. Remember that all the guidelines apply equally; whether you are selecting an exceptional earth diamond or the lab grown variety. h    Whether set in an elegant ring mount, a gorgeous pair of earrings or perhaps a platinum or gold pendant, a carefully chosen coloured diamond looks simply sensational. Whether you are looking to buy a loose earth or lab created diamond, have it set within one of our ring or jewellery designs or would like something entirely bespoke just contact us on +44 (0) 20 3998 3075. Shop "Fancy" Coloured Ethical Diamonds     See world's largest pink diamond in 300 years See 15 carat Cullinan Blue diamond Arrange an appointment     * At 02/08/2022      

15.1carat Cullinan Blue diamond expected to break record-sale history Extracts from the full article published in Jeweller magazine February 21st 2022 by Richard Chiu. The beauty and rarity of blue diamonds make them one of the most sought-after gemstones in the world and another mark in their colourful history may be made when the 15.1-carat De Beers Cullinan Blue goes to auction on 27 April 2022.     The Cullinan Blue, which is expected to sell for at least £33 million, is believed to be the largest and one of the only five blue diamonds in excess of 10 carats to be auctioned. Discovered in April 2021 at the Cullinan Mines in South Africa by UK-based Petra Diamonds, the diamond was part of the special tender purchased by De Beers and diamond manufacturing firm Diacore for $40.2 million. The step-cut stone was taken from a 39.35-carat rough blue diamond sold by Petra to DeBeers and Diacore three months after it was unearthed, then cut and polished into the Cullinan Blue. Industry expectations are high for the auction, with some predictions that the rare blue may actually fetch over £40 million!     GIA certified fancy coloured diamonds IGI certified fancy coloured lab grown diamonds Coloured lab diamond blog post  

Summary of article published in Professional Jeweller, January 2022 by Sam Lewis.  While De Beers does not disclose price changes in its regular rough diamond sales, Bloomberg has reported that anonymous sources have confirmed that the latest price increase equates to around 8%.     This comes after De Beers applied a significant discount to its rough diamonds last autumn in a bid to reboot buyer interest - which apparently proved effective. Subsequently, by January 2021, almost exactly one year ago Bloomberg again reported a similar story to today’s, albeit about an estimated 5% rise. Rough diamond prices at De Beers and across the industry have fluctuated wildly throughout the pandemic but have apparently now resumed the longer term moderate uptrend.       Search Certified Loose Diamonds  

Excerpts from original article published in The Jeweller, December 2021 by Richard Chiu. What archaeologists believed to be the oldest jewellery discovered in southwest Morocco between 2014 and 2018 could be evidence that social profiling was practised during ancient times. The discovery of 33 prehistoric ornamental beads made from seashells in the Bizmoune Cave may be evidence of what could be an ancient form of non-verbal communication and help shed light on the evolution of human cognitive abilities and social interactions, according to researchers. The study, published in the journal Science Advances by researchers from the National Institute of Archaeological Sciences and Heritage, University Aix-Marseille, University of Arizona, suggested that the beads were not just worn for adornment but also as a form of communication. The researchers found that the beads, dated between 142,000 to 150,000 years old, were considered jewellery as the items were purposely crafted based on the repetitive and small man-made bore marks surrounding the holes that showed signs of wear and tear, suggesting the beads were hung on strings. Some of the beads also revealed traces of ochre-a self-decoration pigment commonly used by prehistoric humans. "They were probably part of the way people expressed their identity with their clothing. They're the tip of the iceberg for that kind of human trait,” researcher Steven Kuhn, professor of anthropology, University of Arizona told Eureka Alert. “They show that it was present even hundreds of thousands of years ago, and that humans were interested in communicating to bigger groups of people than their immediate friends and family. We don't know what they meant, but they're clearly symbolic objects that were deployed in a way that other people could see them," Kuhn said. “The beads are also notable for their lasting form. Rather than painting their bodies or faces with ochre or charcoal, as many people did, the beads' makers made something more permanent, suggesting the message they intended to convey was a lasting and important one,” Kuhn added. Add to your history. Explore coloured gemstone & pearl jewellery     Read our guide to coloured gems  

  While education relating to laboratory (or "lab") grown diamonds seems to be improving, the perception amongst the consumer is still mixed and often polarised. Perhaps the most common misconception is that these are false or fake diamonds. They are not.  When we talk about fake diamonds they are usually glass or of a similar consistency which look at first (and distant!) glance like a genuine diamond. However, synthetics such as cubic zirconias are lacking in any hint or hue of colour or fluorescence, do not sparkle to anywhere the near same degree as a well cut diamond, lack the same overall brilliance and of course will chip and crack when worn regularly. SHOP LOOSE LAB DIAMONDS IN STOCK  h Furthermore, they do not display the same internal structural nor chemical characteristics of a diamond and are instantly detectable as fake by your local jeweller. Ironically, their lack of even the tiniest blemish or inclusion is yet another giveaway. A lab grown diamond on the other hand is, well, a diamond. The difference is that it has been evolved and grown under laboratory conditions. It must therefore be referred to and certified as being lab grown. SPOT THE DIFFERENCE? Even to gemologists both types of diamond look identical, assuming they are of similar grade. A useful analogy is the cultured pearl which is grown in freshwater under controlled conditions, compared to a pearl discovered and extracted from it's natural  habitat. The process of growing the diamond essentially replicates and hugely accelerates the formation process of a natural mined diamond. (The natural diamond is formed under the earth's surface over thousands of years). And like the formation of a natural "earth" diamond, the lab grown version is subject to the forces of nature with regards to how clear and white it is once formed. While the sophisticated equipment and substantial human skillsets necessary in the laboratory growing process continue to evolve, it is not possible to grow a diamond to a predetermined carat weight, colour and clarity.  As with a naturally formed diamond therefore, each "rough" laboratory grown version (which uses a natural diamond "seed" as it's starting point) has it's very own entirely unique profile. The rough lab diamond also has to then be "planned" using laser technology to determine which shapes and sizes of stones it should be "chopped" in to in the first instance. Then each individual stone has to be polished and intricately cut to produce the finished article, ready to set within the appropriate item of fine jewellery. In terms of defining the precise quality and grade, each Pobjoy lab grown diamond is evaluated by one of the leading independent gemological institutes; the IGI or the GIA. As with naturally formed diamonds, lab grown diamonds are forensically examined and measured to establish their carat weight, colour, clarity, cut, polish and symmetry. Each institute then produces a numbered certificate for the stone it has graded, detailing all these specific variables. This unique number is also nano-inscribed by laser along the girdle (the outer narrow rim) of the diamond and the details retained for verification in the future. WATCH VIDEO OF LAB DIAMOND FORMATION   Conclusions When buying a lab grown diamond it is essential for it to be supplied to you with this certificate. The certificate enables you to check the validity of the diamond and it's grading against the independent institute's own online records. It also provides you with independent confirmation as to what it is you are buying. Of course when it comes to price, this is where there is a marked difference between the naturally formed and lab grown diamond, with the latter typically costing between 60% and 70% less. If you would like to compare a naturally formed and laboratory grown diamond please contact us to arrange an appointment.     Fancy coloured lab diamonds Search lab diamonds  See more about lab diamonds Shop lab diamond rings & jewellery

When it comes to looking for just the right diamond, it seems that the more you learn the more you feel you might still need to know! On the one hand are the gemologists who have built up considerable knowledge of all things pertaining to precious gemstones. On the other is the customer who, quite understandibly, has limited experience and understanding of what they should be looking for. This presents a challenge for reputable jewellers: provide customers with as much information as possible to help them  make an informed decision- but avoid making the process confusing and laborious. To draw a parallel with buying a new car, few of us are experts and it is not something we do on a regular basis. Nevertheless, it represents a substantial  financial commitment and we need to live with our decision for some time to come. Most importantly too, we tend to buy something that appeals to us. Something that talks to our hearts, not just our heads. By taking a top down approach, this whole process becomes less daunting. Sure, it does require a little focus and attention but it is well worth it. When you appreciate that an almost flawless one carat diamond can be worth three times or more than a much lower grade stone of similar weight, some rudamentary knowledge can really help you in making the right call. And help you avoid paying too much for something you don't really want. Most of us will have heard of the "4 C's". You can see more about the "4 C's" here, but let's highlight a few key points in summary: Cut  This is not to be confused with the shape. The cut refers to the myriad of intricate angles and shapes cut in to the diamond. This directly informs the general level of sparkle and liveliness of the stone, whatever the colour and clarity. We advise opting for Excellent or Very Good. Colour  More important than clarity, colour is graded in order of merit from D (the "whitest") through to Z (the most "yellow"). D,E and F are considered the top colour group. G and H are near colourless. Colour F is extremely difficult to distinguish from D or E and typically priced a tad lower. As a rule of thumb we suggest going for a colour grade of H or higher  On the subject of colour it is also important to consider fluorescence, milkiness and shading. These factors will also have an impact on how clean and white the diamond looks. Clarity The clearer the diamond the better. Flawless diamonds ("FL") are rare and therefore more valuable. In the case of larger carat weight stones, clarity has a significant influence on price. But tiny inclusions and fissures can be extremely difficult to see with the naked eye. In fact, a  diamond which is considered "eyeclean" (meaning that any such marks cannot be seen without magnification) is going to represent much better value for money. It is possible to find a seemingly clear diamond with a grade of "Si1" (Slightly Included). Just reach out to us if you would like further guidance.   Carat Weight  Essentially, the correct term for the size of any given                diamond. This is the easiest of the 4 C's to establish and unsurprisingly has a direct influence on value, albeit in the context of the other "C's" considered above. It is worth noting that the surface (or "face up") area does not increase by anywhere near the same proportion as a corresponding increase in it's weight. See recent blog    LAUNCH DIAMOND SEARCH    Select Natural Diamonds (default) or  Lab Grown Diamonds by selecting tab in header. For coloured diamonds such as pinks and blues, select the tab marked fancy, which you will find to the centre right of the screen. Select desired diamond shape from the icons Use the slider or - if easier - key in the minimum and maximum carat weight  Select the colour range, with D being the whitest Select cut - we recommend Very Good or Excellent Stipulate a price range or leave blank (default) More Filters. We suggest selecting Good polish or above For Table please refer to our guide on diamond anatomy Fluorescence - we suggest opting for None to Medium For most diamond shapes Good symmetry and above is advisable. In the case of oval, pear and marquise cut the symmetry is more crucial and should ideally be Very Good or Excellent For Depth please refer to diamond anatomy Lab refers to the gemological institute which has graded and certified the specific diamond See certification   Once you click on a specific diamond a more detaild product page will open. You are then able to add to cart and proceed to checkout or continue shopping. If there is more information you require about any individual diamond please reach out to us. If the specific diamond you select does not include a video or image we can usually send these to you. +44 (0) 20 3998 3075 More Ways To Contact Us