Jewelry & diamond guide

Cut determines how well a diamond reflects light — it's the single biggest factor in how much a diamond sparkles, and it's independent of shape. A well-cut diamond can look brighter than a larger, poorly-cut one.

Color is graded from D (colorless) to Z (visibly yellow or brown). Most people can't distinguish between adjacent grades with the naked eye, so this is often where you can save without sacrificing appearance.

Clarity measures internal inclusions and surface blemishes, graded from Flawless to Included. Many inclusions are invisible without magnification.

Carat is simply weight (1 carat = 0.2 grams), not size — two diamonds of the same carat weight can look different sizes depending on cut.

We'll walk through all four in person and show you the tradeoffs on real stones — it's a very different experience than reading numbers on a certificate.

The most accurate way is to be sized in person — finger size can shift slightly with temperature and time of day, and our team accounts for that. If you're planning a surprise proposal, here are a few workarounds:

• Borrow a ring they already wear on that finger and bring it in — we can measure it without them knowing.
• Wrap a strip of paper or string around the base of their finger, mark where it overlaps, and bring the measurement in.
• When in doubt, size slightly larger — a ring that's a touch big is a much easier fix than one that's too small.

Take rings off before swimming, cleaning, gardening, or the gym — chlorine and harsh chemicals can damage metal and loosen settings over time.

Store pieces separately in a soft-lined box or pouch so stones and metal don't scratch each other.

Clean most jewelry with warm water, a drop of mild dish soap, and a soft toothbrush; avoid this for pieces with soft or porous stones (pearls, opals, emeralds) — ask us first if you're not sure.

Bring rings in about once a year so we can check and re-tighten prongs before a stone works loose — it's a free check at either location.

Lab-grown diamonds are chemically, physically, and optically identical to natural diamonds — the difference is origin, not composition. They typically cost 60–85% less than a natural diamond of the same size and grade.

Natural diamonds formed over a billion years underground and carry rarity and resale value that lab-grown stones generally don't match.

Neither is "better" — it depends what matters to you. We carry and are happy to discuss both, side by side, with certification for either.