A stone can set the character of the whole piece. We help you consider its color and proportions alongside the way the jewelry will be worn, the setting and your budget.

Natural and laboratory-grown stones

Natural stones form in the earth; laboratory-grown stones are created through controlled processes. A laboratory-grown diamond is diamond, while moissanite is a different material with its own appearance and properties. These descriptions should not be used interchangeably.

Confirm whether the selected stone is natural, laboratory-grown or another material before approving your order. Where relevant information about treatments is available, it should be part of the selection discussion.

Color, cut and proportions

For colored stones, the shade you love may matter more than a conventional ranking. Sapphire, ruby, spinel, amethyst and other gems offer very different possibilities. Inclusions, color zoning and variation can be part of a natural stone’s character.

Cut influences how light moves through a stone. Carat is a measure of weight, not its face-up dimensions: two stones of the same carat weight can look different in size. Ask for millimeter measurements and, where available, photographs or video in more than one light.

A stone suited to the design

A daily-wear ring exposes a stone to different stresses from a pendant. Scratch resistance, resistance to impact, treatments and the shape of the setting all matter. A high hardness number does not mean a stone cannot chip.

Diamonds, sapphires and rubies are frequent choices for rings, but the individual stone and setting still need assessment. Delicate stones may be better suited to a protected design or occasional wear.

Sourcing a particular stone

Tell us your preferred color, shape, approximate dimensions and budget. Availability can change while a choice is being considered, and sourcing a specific stone can extend production. Any sourcing fee, report or other extra service must be agreed before it is commissioned.

We do not promise investment returns or describe a stone as ethically superior solely because it is natural or laboratory-grown. See Responsible Sourcing and Certificates & Authenticity.