Shapes Clarity Settings Bands Metals

The Guide

Know Your Ring

A plain-language guide to the choices that shape a custom ring. It is the same reference we use in our consultations, so feel free to explore before we meet.

Diamond Shapes

The shape sets the character of the whole ring. Shown face-up, as you would see the stone from above.

Round Brilliant

Fifty-seven facets engineered for maximum light return. No shape sparkles more.

Good to knowTimeless in any setting, and the most in-demand shape year after year.

Oval

All the brilliance of a round, stretched into an elegant oval.

Good to knowLooks larger than a round of the same carat and elongates the finger.

Cushion

A soft-cornered square with big, romantic flashes of light.

Good to knowRounded corners make it a durable choice, with no sharp points to chip.

Princess

A crisp, geometric square with brilliant-style faceting.

Good to knowIts sharp corners are usually protected by the setting's prongs.

Emerald

Long step-cut facets create elegant flashes instead of sparkle. A hall-of-mirrors effect.

Good to knowIts open table shows clarity honestly, so cleaner stones shine here.

Asscher

A square step cut with cropped corners and windmill facets. Pure art deco.

Good to knowLike the emerald cut, it favours higher-clarity stones.

Radiant

The outline of an emerald cut with the fire of a brilliant.

Good to knowForgiving of small inclusions, and its cropped corners add durability.

Pear

A graceful teardrop, worn with the point up or down.

Good to knowThe tip is delicate, so we protect it with a v-shaped prong.

Marquise

A dramatic pointed oval that maximizes carat spread.

Good to knowOne of the largest-looking shapes per carat. Its two points call for protective end prongs.

Clarity

Clarity measures the small natural marks a diamond forms with, called inclusions. Graded under 10x magnification, from flawless to included.

FL & IF

Flawless and Internally Flawless. No inclusions visible even under 10x magnification.

Good to knowExceptionally rare, with a price to match.

VVS1 & VVS2

Very, very slightly included. Inclusions so small even a trained grader struggles to find them.

Good to knowEffectively perfect to the naked eye.

VS1 & VS2

Very slightly included. Minor inclusions visible under magnification, invisible to the naked eye.

Good to knowThe sweet spot of beauty and value for most rings.

SI1 & SI2

Slightly included. Visible under magnification, occasionally visible to a careful naked eye.

Good to knowA well-chosen, eye-clean SI stone offers real savings.

I1 to I3

Included. Inclusions visible to the naked eye that can affect brilliance.

Good to knowWe generally steer centre stones above this range.

Setting Styles

The setting is how your stone is held. Shown from the side, the way your jeweller sees them.

Halo

A circle of small diamonds framing the centre stone.

Good to knowA halo can make the centre stone appear up to half a carat larger.

Hidden Halo

A ring of diamonds tucked beneath the centre stone, visible from the side.

Good to knowAdds sparkle at every angle without changing the face-up look.

Pavé

Small diamonds set into the band's surface in tiny beads of metal.

Good to knowAdds brilliance across the whole ring without a dramatic change in price.

Bezel

A smooth rim of metal wrapping the stone completely.

Good to knowThe most secure and snag-free setting. Ideal for active hands.

Cathedral

Arches of metal rise from the band to lift the centre stone.

Good to knowAdds height and presence to any stone size.

Tulip Basket

Petal-shaped prongs cradle the stone in a sculpted, flower-like basket.

Good to knowA romantic detail from the side view, and it holds the stone high and secure.

Band Styles

The band carries the ring's comfort and character. Shown face-on, as it sits on the finger.

Classic

A smooth, polished band of precious metal.

Good to knowThe most durable choice, with nothing to catch or loosen.

Pavé

Diamonds run along the top of the band.

Good to knowUsually set part-way around so the ring can still be resized.

Channel

Stones sit flush between two continuous walls of metal.

Good to knowVery secure and completely snag-free.

Bubble

Round diamonds of varied sizes clustered along the band, like floating bubbles.

Good to knowEach stone sits in its own setting, so the sparkle feels scattered and organic.

Split Shank

The band parts in two as it meets the centre stone.

Good to knowCreates a fuller, airier look without extra carats.

Euroshank

A softly squared lower half on a classic round band.

Good to knowResists spinning on the finger. A favourite for larger centre stones.

Metals

Every ring begins with its metal. Each wears, ages and feels a little differently.

Platinum

A naturally white metal that never fades or needs plating.

Good to know95% pure, hypoallergenic and the heaviest in hand. The heirloom standard.

White Gold

Gold alloyed to a bright white and finished with rhodium.

Good to knowAn occasional re-plating keeps its mirror shine.

Yellow Gold

The classic. Warm, traditional, always in style.

Good to knowWe craft it in 10k, 14k and 18k. See the karat guide below.

Rose Gold

Gold warmed with copper for a blush tone.

Good to knowThe copper makes it the most durable of the golds.

Gold purity is measured in karats. The higher the karat, the richer the colour and the softer the metal.

10k Gold

41.7% pure gold, alloyed for strength.

Good to knowThe most durable and budget-friendly karat, with a softer, lighter colour.

14k Gold

58.5% pure gold, the everyday standard.

Good to knowThe sweet spot of colour, strength and price. Our most popular choice.

18k Gold

75% pure gold, the luxury standard.

Good to knowThe richest, warmest colour. Slightly softer, so it suits careful wear.

Ready to design yours?

Bring what you have learned to a free, no-pressure consultation. We will sketch around the styles you love.

Begin the Journey