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Loose Diamonds
Explore our exclusive collection of loose diamonds to discover the ideal stone for your jewellery. Choose from 10 distinct shapes and refine your search using criteria including as clarity, cut, and carat.
10 ENGAGEMENT RING CUTS AND THEIR UNIQUE MEANING
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Round Cut
As worn by: Mila Kunis, Allison Williams, Brooke Shields, Miranda Kerr, and Emily Blunt.
This cut is for someone who is drawn to a classic and timeless style. A round brilliant is perfect for someone who wants a traditional look that will last through the ages; the brilliant faceting is also great for women looking for maximum sparkle.
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Princess Cut
As worn by: Kate Bosworth, Sarah Michelle Gellar, and Hilary Duff.
A princess cut diamond is square on the top, features four bevelled sides and comes in at a point (like an upside-down pyramid) beneath the shiny surface of the ring. If you want maximum sparkle in a modern design, this is the ring cut for you. The clean lines keep the ring looking contemporary.
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Emerald Cut
As worn by: Beyoncé, Amal Clooney, Olivia Wilde, Mariah Carey, and Anne Hathaway.
Emerald cuts exude elegance and refinement. The elongated shape and step-cut faceting is great for someone on the more understated side. This cut is best suited for women who have discerning taste—those who skew classic with an edge.
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Cushion Cut
As worn by: Kim Kardashian, Sofia Vergara, Leighton Meester, Bar Refaeli, and Gabrielle Union.
The cushion cut is both feminine and trendy. A cushion’s curved corners and brilliant facets are perfect for someone searching for a soft look with a lot of sparkle.
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Oval Cut
As worn by: Serena Williams, Blake Lively, Kate Middleton, Katie Holmes, Julianne Hough, and Christina Aguilera.
Oval cuts have become one of the most up-and-coming, popular diamond shapes. This cut is great for those who love to stay ahead of the trends, but also love a classic, elegant aesthetic.
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Pear Cut
As worn by: Princess Charlene of Monaco, Kaley Cuoco, Katherine Heigl, Anna Kournikova, and Mia Farrow.
Shaped like a tear (of joy), the pear cut gives the finger an elongated look. It's one of the least common engagement ring cuts. Women who move to the beat of their own drum and don’t want a ring like everyone else gravitate toward a pear.
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Marquise Cut
As worn by: Christina Milian, Portia de Rossi, Ashlee Simpson Ross, and Catherine Zeta Jones.
The marquise cut is the ultimate in elegance. Its oval shape meets in pointed ends, resembling the hull of a ship — this cut is also known as the Navette cut (meaning "little boat" in French). In addition to being unique, this cut is also great for someone looking to create the illusion of elongated hands.
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Radiant Cut
As worn by: Drew Barrymore, Jennifer Aniston, and Khloe Kardashian.
Like an emerald cut, the radiant cut is shaped like an octagon. Unlike an emerald, however, the radiant has 70 light-reflecting facets within it, making it quite the dazzler. Women who like radiant cuts tend to be bubbly and outgoing. The brilliant faceting and rectangular shape are great for those who love a lot of sparkle and flash!
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Asscher Cut
As worn by: Pippa Middleton, Gwenyth Paltrow, Zooey Deschanel, and Jessica Alba.
Asscher cuts have an old-world sophistication. Women who love antiques and unique designs tend to gravitate more toward Asscher cuts for their retro look. Like emerald cuts, Asscher cut diamonds have step-cut faceting rather than brilliant-cut faceting, making them understated and elegant. The short, octagonal cut was a hallmark of the '20s and '30s and has a distinct Art Deco feel.
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Heart Cut
As worn by: Nicki Minaj, Lady Gaga, and Gwen Stefani.
Perhaps the sweetest of all ring cuts, rocking a heart-shaped engagement ring is a bold choice. This is not an engagement ring cut you see every day, and the women who gravitate toward it tend to stand out in a crowd.
LAB GROWN DIAMONDS
Over the past decade, lab-grown diamonds have progressively increased in popularity as a cost-effective substitute for genuine diamonds. Many believe laboratory-grown diamonds to be less uncommon and valuable than their natural counterparts, despite the fact that they may readily equal the brilliance of any real diamond. We are shining light on what makes lab-created diamonds so similar to genuine diamonds, yet so vastly apart from them.
What is a lab - grown diamond?
Laboratory-grown diamonds, also known as synthetic diamonds, are generated in a manner similar to that of natural gems, with the exception that the process is accelerated and occurs in a laboratory (or factory) rather than in nature. Currently, these gems are being mass-produced, which helps to reduce their cost. Some say that they do not possess the same emotional or long-term worth as organically created stones for the same reason.
Are lab-grown real diamonds?
In brief, absolutely. Lab-grown diamonds are deemed real and authentic since their chemical makeup is identical to that of mined diamonds. When put next to a comparably rated natural gem, a lab-grown stone will seem identical.
Are lab-grown diamonds cheaper?
Compared to natural diamonds, laboratory-grown diamonds are far less expensive. Depending on their size, colour, and purity, the lab-grown diamonds we sell are 30% to 70% less expensive than their natural counterparts. If you are wanting to invest in diamonds and are unsure if lab-grown diamonds will retain their value over time, we recommend that you choose natural diamonds. Lab diamonds will lose value over time because they are less desirable than rarer, natural stones.
Are lab-grown real diamonds more ethical?
There is considerable controversy regarding the sustainability of lab-grown crops and whether or not they are actually ecologically beneficial and moral.
Although many believe this to be true, the production of lab-grown diamonds requires tremendous energy. Experts have discovered that the majority of lab-grown diamonds require substantial quantities of nonrenewable energy, despite the fact that it is difficult to estimate the carbon footprint of a single diamond.
Natural Diamond Council research reveals that lab-grown diamonds emit three times more greenhouse gas emissions than mined diamonds (511 kg per carat compared to 160 kg for natural diamonds). It is crucial to emphasise, however, that this analysis was commissioned by huge mining firms. Natural diamond mining also has a significant environmental impact.
When calculating the carbon footprint of a single mined or lab-grown carat of diamond, a variety of factors will come into play, including the type of machinery utilised, energy sources, extraction processes, and nation where the diamond is generated.
These factors provide substantial ambiguity and contradictory data. Indeed, such studies may lead to misunderstanding and mistakes, which is why it is imperative that manufacturers of both natural and lab-grown diamonds adopt more sustainable methods.
Zero carbon emission in diamond manufacture is a difficult but not unattainable goal. We at Hsc diamonds have given our clients with a variety of lab-created diamonds powered only by hydroelectricity. In the interest of openness, this information will be listed on the diamond's certificate under "Diamond Foundry."
Sustainability is concerned with the environment, but it also seeks to safeguard people and their way of life. One of the most prominent objections of lab-grown production is that it cannot maintain employment and economic growth in diamond-producing nations. Countries like Botswana have benefitted greatly from diamond mining. Since establishing its first mine in 1967, Botswana's economy has become one of the world's fastest-growing, and it has effectively raised living standards via education, health care, and new infrastructure.
On the other hand, lab-grown diamonds can be traced more readily and, unlike natural stones, offer greater openness about human rights and working conditions.
How to tell lab diamonds from real diamonds
As discussed earlier, it might be difficult to distinguish a laboratory diamond from a natural diamond since they are practically identical. Only an expert with specialised equipment would be capable of observing the nature of lab-grown diamond inclusions.
Always ask your jeweller for a grading report if you wish to determine if a diamond is lab-grown or natural. The Gemological Institute of America provides each laboratory-grown diamond with an official report so that the stone's origin is totally apparent.
Do I still have to look out for the 4Cs?
The fact that a diamond was created in a laboratory does not make it perfect. Similar to real diamonds, lab-grown diamonds develop with minute inclusions. Regardless of the diamond's origin, it is essential to examine its carat, colour, clarity, and cut before making a purchase. These variables will affect the ultimate pricing and the total investment you want to make. For more info please contact us [email protected]