Frequently Asked Questions

Pobjoy Diamonds is an independent family owned jeweller, registered in the UK.

Upholding the Pobjoy reputation in all that we do forms the touchstone of the exceptional service and quality we provide to all our customers.

Yes. We operate a loyalty reward points scheme which is available to all our customers.

You will be entitled to one loyalty reward point for every £1 (or currency equivalent) spent, including taxes.

These can be redeemed at any time for discounts on our diamonds and fine jewellery ranges.

You can also earn extra points for sharing key anniversaries, posting on social media and referring friends.

We will also email you gentle reminders ahead of any key dates you select. So you need never miss another anniversary!

Yes. Within our loyalty rewards programme you can earn loyalty points for referring potential customers to us.

See section entitled Earn When You Post.

To Pobjoy Diamonds people come first.

Prioritising integrity, transparancy, exceptional product quality and customer service in turn defines our promise to you.

To find out more about how we conduct business, please read our policy on sustainability and ethics.

No. We can however refer you on to a formally qualified specialist or you can search the National Association of Jewellers (NAJ) site for an up to date list.

We do not offer insurance services directly. If you wish to obtain a quote for your cherished fine jewellery or diamond ring you may find the link below useful.

We do not participate in any fee share or rebates for any insurance policy you may decide to subscribe to - nor officially endorse or recommend any third party provider.

We offer repairs to items of fine jewellery purchased from us.

Our standard policy is not to deal in pre-owned jewellery items.

We do however offer a trade and upgrade service in the case of diamond engagement rings previously bought from Pobjoy Diamonds.

If you bought your diamond engagement ring from Pobjoy Diamonds you can usually trade it in towards a higher value new diamond ring from us.

In some cases we may accept the value of a diamond ring not originally bought from Pobjoy Diamonds against a new one created by us.

Pobjoy Diamonds is registered with the Information Commissioners Office (ICO) in the UK.

The ICO lays out strict rules for companies as to how they handle personal data and privacy. It exercises substantial powers to penalise companies who do not comply.

Pobjoy Diamonds complies with the requirements laid out by the ICO, meets the standard EU GDPR rules and also provides you secure online unfettered access to any personal data we may hold about you.

Furthermore, you may request that we delete any historic personal data we hold about you and this will be removed from the relevant database.

You can arrange an appointment by calling us on +44 (0) 203 998 3075 or clicking on the arrange appointment button below.

You can also arrange a telephone, Zoom or WhatsApp appointment seven days a week between 0800 and 1930 GMT.

Appointments at our visitors suite are available most weekdays between 0845 and 1700 GMT. It is necessary to arrange your visit in advance as we operate within a high security mint.

Yes. Every item of fine jewellery and loose diamonds published on our site can be purchased online using our secure checkout process.

Please bear in mind that many items displayed, such as diamond set eternity and engagement rings, are made to order and sized to fit. Please see our product pages for details or contact us to confirm expected timelines.

If you wish to add any comments to your order you can do this in the notes section at checkout.

Yes. We are on hand to give you any guidance and assistance you may need. If you require help outside standard business hours please email contact@pobjoydiamonds.com at any time.

We will be back to you the same day.

Don't worry! Just call us or email us and we will review your order and can normally make changes as required.

Yes. Our standard engraving font is Script text in bold.

However, if you prefer a different text font and weight please enter this in notes at checkout or email us. We will confirm availability of your chosen font with you before progressing your order.

We accept most types of credit and debit card payment, bank transfer and cash subject to standard AML compliance.

A comprehensive list of payment providers can be found in the footer of this site.

Klarna Pay In Three is available subject to terms and conditions for checkout values up to £1,000.

This payment scheme enables you to pay one third of the value when placing the order, using your preferred debit card.

One month later a second payment of the same amount is automatiucally debited from your payment card, with the third and final payment deducted at the end of month two. There are no fees or interest charges.

For purchases of diamond rings, you may be elgible for interest free deferred monthly payments by direct debit, on up to 50% of the purchase value. Subject to status. Tems and conditions apply.

Our policy is not to encourage spending more than you can comfortably afford to repay.

Yes. All our individual diamonds of 30 points (0.30 carat) and over are independently graded and certified.

Nearly all our diamonds are graded and certified by either the Gemological Institute of America (GIA) or the International Gemological Institute (IGI).

Yes. All the certified diamonds we sell have been screened and sourced from legitimate sources not involved in funding conflict, incompliance with UN Resolutions and corresponding national laws of the United Kingdom. Our sources guarantee that thesediamonds are conflict free and confirm adherence to the WDC SoW Guidelines.

It is also possible for you to request specific geographical origins when choosing your diamond.

You can read more about our diamond sourcing in the link below.

The independent grading report or certificate is perhaps the most important verification of the diamond you buy from us.

This grading report provides a myriad of details about your chosen diamond.

While some retailers provide their own grading report or that of a lesser known grading institute, the specification of your chosen Pobjoy diamond is completely dependable.

This is because it has been compiled by one of the most respected third party grading institutes.

You are also able to verify the details of your chosen diamond online with the institute that has graded it.

Yes. Our online search facility provides access to over 500,000 certified diamonds from all over the globe.

You can filter your search by diamond shape, colour, clarity, cut and carat weight.

You can also apply more advanced filters such as table and depth ratios.

It is well worth reading our diamond guidance, tips and advice which you can find here on our website.

If you would like some assistance, whether over the phone, by email or at our visitors suite, just reach out to us and we will be very happy to help you.

The majority of diamond retailers should be relied upon for their integrity, honesty and professionalism.

Nevertheless, there are certain sales techniques to be weary of when purchasing your diamond.

Wherever you decide to make your purchase, you should also check whether your provider is a member of any recognised industry body.

We have access to over 70,000 certified diamonds of every shape, grade and carat weight.

We also offer coloured "fancy" diamonds.

You can search our extensive diamond selection on our site, using parameters chosen by you.

Most diamonds featured include a high definition video and image. New diamonds are added on a daily basis.

If you cannot find exactly what you are looking for please contact us. We are often able to source additional diamonds not featured on our search facility.

All our prices include UK VAT at 20% and delivery.

If you are ordering from outside of the UK please contact us first as the 20% VAT element may not apply. Your purchase may instead be subject to local sales taxes and/or duties.

Good question! At Pobjoy Diamonds we take care to remember that most people do not buy diamonds on a regular basis.

At first glance the diamond grading report can look complex and jargon heavy. Which it is.

Our 4C's guide is a good place to start. It is also worth seeing our diamond anatomy guide which explains some of the less talked about, but important, aspects of a diamond..

The measurements are determined primarily by the diamond shape and it's carat weight.

Our guide shows the face up length and width of each diamond shape for popular carat weights.

Don't be concerned.

Our policy is to take photographic copies of your certificate which we keep within your customer account records securely online.

We can also request a duplicate copy of the certificate in paper format from our records, from the relevant grading institute.

This may prove crucial for valuation and insurance purposes later on.

Round brilliant cut diamonds are graded for the precision of their cut, polish and overall symmetry.

Where all three aspects are identified as excellent (as opposed to very good or fair) the diamond is referred to as triple excellent cut.

The table of a diamond refers to the flat uppermost area of the stone.

It's depth is the overall height.

The proportions of table and depth in the context of the overall diamond measurements inform it's light performance and desirability.

For example, a diamond with a 58% table means that the table is 58% of the diamond height.

A diamond with a depth of 62% is 62% of the width of the diamond.

These ratios, especially when looked at together, have an important bearing on the diamond's ability to reflect light and optimise sparkle.

Very much so.

For example, a diamond with colour D or E will be substantially more valuable than an equivalent size diamond of otherwise similar attributes, but with a colour grade of H or I.

Typically, the same applies to a premium clarity grade of VVs1 over a lower clarity grade of Si2.

This may prove crucial for valuation and insurance purposes later on.

Eyeclean means that the diamond does not display any visible inclusions or marks when viewed with the naked eye.

It is not however quantified directly within a recognised diamond grading report.

In this respect there is a degree of subjectivity involved when classifying a diamond as eyeclean.

Nevertheless, when filtering through diamonds by their key characteristics, a diamond which is described by the producers we source from as eyeclean is wholly reliable.

It is worth noting that a high grade diamond such as colour F with clarity VVs2 may be a great looking diamond but is not necessarily eyeclean.

Conversely, a lower colour grade of G with clarity of Si1 may be eyeclean.

Marks and inclusions within an eyeclean diamond will still be visible when viewed under 10 X magnification.

Fancy diamonds are coloured diamonds.

Diamonds without any material colour hue are known as white diamonds.

White diamonds with a low colour grade, for example J, K & L, will display faint hints of yellow and are less valuable as a result.

Fancy diamonds display more obvious colour tones and are formally graded by gemological institutes, such as the GIA, for their colour intensity.

Vivid deep coloured diamonds can be extrememly valuable per carat weight and are relatively rare.

Some gem diamonds fluoresce, most commonly blue, to the concentrated long-wave ultraviolet radiation of an ultra violet lamp.

The degree to which a diamond fluoresces is measured and recorded as an "identifying characteristic" within your diamond grading report.

To establish what effect, if any, blue fluoresecenc actually has, the GIA conducted a controlled test of multiple round brilliant cut diamonds of colour grade D through to H. Some featured faint to medium fluorescence and some did not.

Gemologists and industry professionals along with inexperienced observers were asked to identify any visual differences in appearance between the stones.

Here is what the GIA found: “For the average observer, meant to represent the jewellery buying public, no systematic effects of blue fluorescence on the face-up appearance of the groups of diamonds were detected. Even experienced observers did not consistently agree on the effects of fluorescence from one stone to the next.”

Typically, brilliant cut diamonds with medium or strong fluorescence will be priced very slightly lower than equivalent cut, grade and carat weight diamonds without fluorescence.

Pobjoy Diamonds recommends choosing diamonds between colour grade D and H that have no or faint fluorescence.

In the case of smaller carat weights of colour H to J, some faint or even medium blue fluorescence is generally preferrable and may actually raise the overall appearance up a notch.

You would be most unfortunate if your diamond were to crack or chip.

However, a diamond is not entirely indestructible.

Diamonds with narrow pointed extremities, such as marquise or pear shape, do need to be set in such a way that they are well protected from knocks.

That is why we insist on using only the most robust prong settings, designed to adequately embrace these points and mitigate against damage.

Other diamond shapes are not entirely immune, however, to potential damage either.

Any larger carat weight diamond in an elevated setting will be marginally more exposed to trauma if worn without care. A diamond may contain, for example, slight fissures which can occur naturally during the formation process.

If the diamond suffers an especially violent trauma or repetitive, acute knocks against a very hard surface, this could cause damage to the stone.

Therefore, when combined with the risk of loss or theft, we do strongly recommend that you maintain adequate insurance cover of your diamond at all times.

An old cut (or Victorian cut) diamond is one which was produced several years ago.

When these diamonds were produced, the precision cutting techniques used today were not available.

Therefore, the amount of fire, brightness and scintillation is less evident when compared to more modern brilliant cut diamonds.

It was also considered that a polished culet (a flattened lower extremity - or tip - of the diamond) would allow more natural light in to the stone, thereby adding to it's overall sparkle.

Nowadays however, the culet is cut to be pointed, as it actually prevents the light entering the table and crown of the diamond (the upper area) from disappearing straight out through it's underside.

Fine jewellery is made exclusively from precious metals such as sterling silver, gold, palladium or platinum.

Items featuring gold plated on silver are considered fine jewellery.

Items featuring gold or silver plated on a base metal such as steel are not considered fine jewellery.

Fortunately there are some simple tried and tested things you can do to keep your cherished jewellery in tip top condition.

Our jewellery care guide is full of ideas which are easy to follow and will cost you nothing.

For example, just by dipping your diamond ring in a bowl of hot water with a drop of liquid soap and rinsing off once a week will make it sparkle like new.

We also include a care intructions card with every item of jewellery we sell.

The concentration of pure gold used defines the carat categorisation.

A mark of 375 stamped in the item of jewellery means that it is 9 carat gold. This means that it has 37.5% gold content.

14 carat gold is marked with 585 which is 58.5% gold content.

18 carat gold is marked with 750 which is 75% gold content.

All gold is by nature a yellow type hue.

It is what other metals the gold is mixed and finished with which determines it's colour.

Rhodium plating is a precious metal and is a derivative of platinum.

It is extremely durable, silver in colour with a shiny finish.

Rhodium plating is a process that is used to apply a thin layer of rhodium to jewellery to lend a bright and hard wearing surface that is resistant to scratches and tarnishing.

It is usually applied to white gold or platinum. It is particularly effective in refinishing an item of jewellery which has been repaired, has aged or a re-sized ring.

Technically, it is an electroplating process and may be applied in different amounts of thickness.

Sterling silver is the same as .925 silver. This means that the metal consists of 92.5% silver with the remaining 7.5% being made up of other alloys such as zinc.

Without the addition of these other alloys, silver would be too soft and vulnerable to dents, abrasions and pitting.

When looking at jewellery, make sure that it is clearly described or marked as .925 silver or sterling silver.

Otherwise it may just be plated with silver or have a silver effect finish, thereby being much less valuable.

This means it will also be prone to discoloration, fading and leaving green or blue staining on your skin.

Melee diamonds are very small carat weight diamonds used in diamond jewellery and in the halos and shoulders of some diamond rings.

They are typically 0.25 carat (25 "points") or less.

Nowadays melee diamonds used in high quality jewellery are full cut diamonds. So they are essentially the same as larger diamonds, just smaller.

As with larger diamonds, they are graded by colour and clarity. The precision of their cut is just as important as it is with a larger diamond.

Typically, melee diamonds are traded within the industry in one carat packages. One carat of 10 point D-E colour/VS clarity melee diamonds will be much more valuable than one carat of 10 point H-I colour/Si clarity stones.

Larger melee diamonds are of course more valuable than smaller ones of the same colour and clarity.

But more specifically, one carat weight of ten F/VS grade melee diamonds (10 points each) is more valuable than one carat weight of twenty F/VS grade melee diamonds (5 points each).

As with larger diamonds of similar grade and overall specification, the increase in price in relation to carat weight is exponential rather than linear.

Within our product pages you can usually see measurements for each item expressed in inches and/or centimeteres.

If this is unclear or not provided for any reason, please do contact us and we will clarify these details for you.

To check your wrist size and to see the drop of a necklace when worn, just check out our sizing tools.

Yes. We do not sell jewellery set with diamond simulants, cubic zirconias or other composites.

Rings and jewellery set with certified lab grown diamonds are categorised separately.

Unless a collection or product specifically states "lab grown", then they are earth created mined diamonds.

Lab grown diamonds and earth created, mined diamonds display identical optical properties and the same chemical structure.

While an earth created diamond evolves deep below the earth's surface over thousands of years, a lab grown diamond is created over several weeks, using a diamond seed as it's embryo.

The two processes are essentially the same. But by using highly specialised machinery and skilled technicians the natural creation process is replicated within a vastly reduced timeframe.

The lab grown diamond is created by one of two processes;

The High Pressure High Temperature (HPHT) technique. This was the first reliable process developed to create diamonds and is still in use today.

The Chemical Vapour Decomposition (CVD) technique. This relatively newer approach is marginally quicker and uses less resources.

The process used in making your lab diamond is detailed within the independent grading report.

Not with the naked eye nor with standard diamond inspection and verification equipment.

Under magnification of at least ten times, the lab grown certificate number nano inscribed around the girdle (the widest part of the stone) may be legible. The accompanying grading certificate is also of a different colour combination than the equivalent earth grown diamond report.

Otherwise, the only way a lab diamond can be told apart from the earth created variety is by using highly specialised fluorescence spectropscopy equipment.

Yes. Pobjoy Diamonds only sells lab diamonds which have been independently graded and certified.

Not all lab diamonds are independently graded. You should not buy one unless it has been graded and is supplied with a verifiable certficate.

Just as with earth created diamonds, each lab grown diamond is unique.

The grading laboratory scrutinises each lab grown diamond to establish it carat weight, colour, clarity and cut.

In fact, the same information found within an earth created diamond grading report is provivded in a lab grown diamond certificate.

Yes. All the key characteristics are measured and evaluated by the grading institute, with similar grading terms allocated accordingly.

Therefore a F/VVS1 lab grown diamond will appear identical to a F/VVS1 grade, earth created diamond of the same cut, proportions and angles.

Yes. You can search over 200,000 ethical lab diamonds on our site, each one certified by either the IGI or GIA.

As with earth created diamonds, you can choose between popular diamond shapes, specify colour and clarity grades and the carat weight you prefer. All our pricing includes VAT and insured free delivery within the UK.

Or you can arrange an appointment to our visitors suite and we will guide you through the process.

We also hold a selection of premium grade stones which are available for next day delivery.

No. There is no marketing or wording referring to "lab grown" within the ring or jewellery presentation.

Only the relevant independent grading certification states that it is laboratory grown.

This varies according to such variables as the carat weight and grading quality of the two types of diamond being compared.

The rule of thumb is that the larger and better the grade you go, the greater the proportionate difference in price between the two types of stone.

For example, a 2.00 carat weight colour F, clarity VS1 lab grown diamond will be in the region of 25% to 30% of the price of a comparable earth created diamond.

In the case of a 0.30 carat G/Si1 grade lab grown diamond, approximately 35%.

Not for every shape and carat weight.

However, the advancement in lab growing techniques and expertise continues apace, with increased demand driving ever more perfect outcomes.

There is significant choice at the lower end of the lab diamond market - both in terms of smaller carat weight and inferior grades.

As the overall diamond grade improves and the carat weight increases, the sought-after superior quality lab diamonds we sell are less abundant and are in high demand.

The chemical composition of a lab diamond is the same as an earth created diamond, neither of which change appearanceover time.

For added assurance, it should be noted that the first lab grown diamonds were actually produced in the 1950's and have displayed the same enduring qualities as mined diamonds ever since.

Lab diamonds are created under controlled conditions and without directly extracting or disrupting the earth's natural resources.

Critics point out that the energy consumed in the growing processes, especially the HPHT technique, undermines the sustainability credentials of the lab grown diamond.

But as each process becomes increasingly efficient, this issue becomes less relevant.

Lab grown diamond enthusiasts point out that the amount of earth removed in the process of mining a single carat diamond is several tonnes, in addition to the energy consumed and the sometimes risky working conditions.

Yes.

You decide which type of diamonds or coloured gemstones to incorporate in to your bespoke design.

Yes. We appreciate that cost is inevitably an important aspect of deciding whether to create your own unique piece of jewellery.

The best way to get started is to complete and submit our online quotation request. This is a free service.

The more information and perhaps images you are able to provide at this preliminary stage, the more accurate the price indication we will be able to provide you.

You can also arrange an appointment to visit us instead of submitting this form or once you have received a quotation.

Factors such as choice of precious metals and the size and grade of diamonds or coloured gemstones will greatly influence the overall price.

But don't worry if you are not sure about these details at this stage. We will give you price indications based on more than one scenario.

Most orders within the UK are sent free of charge through Royal Mail. Larger and higher price orders are despatched for next day delivery and must be signed for.

Most item/s ordered are mailed tracked in our letter box friendly cushioned packaging without the need for signing. No branding is visible externally for security reasons. If you require special delivery arrangements please do contact us.

Orders to be shipped to outside of the UK may be subject to a small surcharge passed on to you at cost.

Yes. You can collect your completed order from our premises during weekdays. We just ask that you give us notice first and we will make sure it has been quality checked and presented ready to gift.