What is a Diamond?

Diamonds are the world's hardest natural mineral, formed over a billion years ago deep beneath the Earth's surface. Carbon atoms bonded under extreme pressure and high temperatures, create these precious gems. Volcanic activity transports diamonds to the Earth's surface in magma.

First discovered in India in the 4th Century BC, diamonds remain one of the most coveted objects on Earth.

TYPES OF DIAMONDS

NATURAL DIAMONDS, were formed billions of years ago in the Earth's mantle and transported to the surface via volcanic kimberlite and lamproite pipes. They symbolize eternity and have relatively stable value. We ethically source all our natural diamonds from international diamond sightholders, tracing them back to reputable mines.

LAB-GROWN DIAMONDS, are physically and chemically identical to natural diamonds but have a different value and origin story. They're created in factories using crystallized carbon from natural diamond mining, replicating the Earth's high-pressure, high-temperature conditions in a matter of weeks. Due to their on-demand production, lab-grown diamonds have less stable value compared to natural diamonds.

Diamond Grading Scale

The Gemological Institute of America (GIA) developed a universal standard for evaluating diamonds known as the 4 C's: cut, color, clarity, and carat. This scale provides an objective method to assess and describe diamond quality. Understanding these criteria is crucial when comparing and selecting diamonds, as each factor contributes to a diamond's overall value and appearance. While personal preference plays a role in diamond selection, the 4 C's offer a consistent framework for evaluating diamond quality across the industry.

DIAMOND CUT

Refers to the angles, proportions, and symmetry of a diamond, determining how its facets interact with light to produce brightness, scintillation, and fire.

LEARN MORE ABOUT DIAMOND CUT

DIAMOND CLARITY

Indicates the visibility of natural inclusions within the diamond, whether visible to the naked eye or requiring magnification. Fewer visible inclusions indicate higher rarity.

LEARN MORE ABOUT DIAMOND CLARITY

DIAMOND COLOUR

Measures the presence or absence of color in a diamond based on the GIA scale from D (colorless) to Z. D-E diamonds are the rarest.

LEARN MORE ABOUT DIAMOND COLOUR

DIAMOND CARAT

The unit of measurement for a diamond's weight, with 1 carat equaling 0.2 grams. Higher carat weights are rarer.

LEARN MORE ABOUT DIAMOND CARAT

BEYOND THE 4 C'S

All of our diamonds are meticulously hand selected by founder, Hamish Whiting (GIA Gemologist, HRD Antwerp Diamond Grader). With 20 years of experience in buying diamonds, Hamish has developed a buying strategy that secures for our customers the top performing and best value diamonds in the world.

DIAMOND CERTIFICATION

We use independent certifications from GIA, HRD, or IGI, with GIA being the most accurate in our opinion. However, a certificate alone doesn't guarantee a beautiful diamond, which is why expert selection is crucial.

MODERN DIAMONDS

We source our modern diamonds directly from Global Sightholder companies, allowing us to trace each diamond back to reputable mining operations. These mines implement social, environmental, and economic programs benefiting local communities. They provide fair wages, safe working conditions, community empowerment, and work towards net zero emissions.

Our modern diamonds include top performing white diamonds as well as coloured diamonds (champagne and yellow).

DIAMOND SHAPE

Shape refers to a diamond's external appearance, and is distinct from its cut (internal facet arrangement). Round is the most popular, with other shapes such as emerald, marquise, and oval being considered 'fancy' shape.

MODERN DIAMOND SHAPES

ROUND

ROUND

Stop here for maximum sparkle - Traditionally the most popular shape of diamond and when well cut, the brightest. They are the only shape to be graded for cut quality (proportions, symmetry and polish) by the GIA so the cutting standard is generally higher.

OVAL

OVAL

Elongating and elegant - The little, big sparkling brother to the round diamond. Little because it’s exponential popularity is more of a recent phenomenon, and big because they face up around 5% larger than round diamonds carat for carat.

CUSHION

CUSHION

Classic romance - A square or rectangular shape with rounded edges and sparkle. A modern day take on the Old Mine cut diamond.

PEAR

PEAR

Feminine sparkle  - Like the oval the pear serves to elongate the finger and provides good surface area for its carat weight.

EMERALD

EMERALD

Sophisticated and Art Deco - With sleek step cut faceting this cut gives broad flashes of light return and diamond luster rather than sparkle.

MARQUISE

MARQUISE

Maximum size for carat weight - Edgy and elongating the Marquise offers the best value in terms of face up size for carat weight.

ASSCHER

ASSCHER

Art Deco icon - In the same family as the emerald cut, this step cut diamond gives a hall of mirrors effect with broad flashes of light return. A beautiful option for deco style rings.

ANTIQUE DIAMONDS

Ethically sourced in person from the Antwerp diamond bourse, our antique diamonds are our most rare collectible gemstones. Genuine antiques, cut by hand from the 1600’s to 1930’s have a unique charm and character unobtainable in modern day cutting.

LEARN MORE ABOUT ANTIQUE DIAMONDS

ANTIQUE DIAMOND SHAPES

PERUZZI CUT

PERUZZI CUT

From the 17th century this Incredibly rare antique diamond is deep and chunky with broad facets, a prominent culet and stunning squarish shape.

OLD MINE CUT

OLD MINE CUT

Romantic and Rare - Cut by hand in the 1800’s, these cushion shaped diamonds are rare and spectacular relics of ancient artisans who cut diamonds completely by hand.

OLD EUROPEAN CUT

OLD EUROPEAN CUT

The precursor to the modern round brilliant, the Old European diamond is an evolution of the Old Mine cut with a similar charm and character but in the round shape.

OUR EXCLUSIVE DIAMOND CUT

Introducing ‘LA CUSH’ Cut - An original diamond cut invented by our co-founder GIA gemologist Hamish Whiting. 

Inspired by genuine antique Old European and Old Mine Cut diamonds, Hamish decided it was high time he released his very own cut; suitably named ‘La Cush’.

learn more about la cush cut diamond

Diamond Hardness

Diamonds are the hardest natural substance on Earth, ranking 10 on the Mohs scale of mineral hardness. This scale, developed in 1822, measures a material's resistance to scratching. Only another diamond can scratch a diamond, making these gems exceptionally durable. This durability makes diamonds ideal for daily wear, particularly as centerpieces in jewelry and engagement rings. Their hardness ensures they maintain their beauty and structure even with constant wear.

Diamond Fluorescence

Diamond fluorescence is the reaction of a diamond to ultraviolet (UV) light, which is present in daylight. It's graded based on the intensity of this reaction to long-wave UV. While fluorescence can cause diamonds to emit a blue or yellow glow under UV light, it typically doesn't affect a diamond's appearance in regular lighting or its structural integrity.

In rare cases, strong fluorescence may influence a diamond's appearance in sunlight. Some diamonds with strong fluorescence might appear slightly blue in natural light, or look whiter than their actual color grade. This occurs because the blue fluorescence can counteract any yellow tint in the diamond.

It's important to note that fluorescence is neither inherently good nor bad - its impact on a diamond's appearance can vary and is often subtle. When selecting a diamond, it's best to view it under various lighting conditions to assess its overall appearance.

Diamond Price

Diamond prices vary greatly based on rarity and quality. Higher grades in cut, color, clarity, or larger carat weights command higher prices due to their rarity. Lab-grown diamonds are less expensive than natural diamonds.

WHAT TO REMEMBER WHEN BUYING YOUR FIRST DIAMOND

When selecting your ideal diamond, consider these key steps:

  1. UNDERSTAND THE 4 C's: Familiarise yourself with cut, color, clarity, and carat. Balance these factors with your budget. Remember, prioritizing one aspect may require compromise in others. For example, a larger carat weight might mean adjusting expectations for color or clarity. There's no universal "perfect" diamond - it's about finding what appeals to you.
  2. CHOOSE YOUR PREFERRED SHAPE: While round brilliants are popular, explore other options. At Cushla Whiting, we offer a variety of shapes including oval, cushion, emerald, pear, and more. Each shape has unique characteristics that can complement different styles and preferences.
  3. ENSURE CERTIFICATION: Always opt for a diamond with a certificate from a reputable institution like GIA or HRD. This document verifies the diamond's authenticity and quality characteristics.

At CUSHLA WHITING, we pride ourselves on offering a diverse selection of ethically sourced, high-quality diamonds. Our expert team is available to guide you through the selection process, answering any questions you may have. We encourage you to use our website's search filters to explore our collection based on your preferences for shape and the 4 C's.

For a more personalised experience, we invite you to schedule an appointment to view diamonds in person at our showroom. Our knowledgeable staff will be happy to assist you in finding the perfect diamond that meets your criteria and budget.