Expert Diamond & Jewelry Guides
The Journal
Honest guides on diamonds, engagement rings, lab-grown vs mined, care, and pricing. Written by the people who set the stones.
The 4 C’s of Diamonds Ranked: Which Matters Most
Cut, Color, Clarity, Carat. They’re not all equal. Here’s the honest ranking for a diamond that looks stunning without the premium.
Lab-Grown vs Natural Diamonds: The Complete 2026 Comparison
Chemically identical. Optically identical. Graded by the same labs on the same 4 C’s scale. The only real differences are price (40, 70% cheaper), origin story, and resale dynamics. Here’s the honest, specific breakdown.
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Round Brilliant Cut Engagement Ring Guide: 2026 Complete Playbook
The round brilliant accounts for 58% of engagement rings sold worldwide. Here is how to read its grading report, pick proportions that maximize sparkle, and buy without overpaying for the most popular shape in the world.
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Princess Cut Engagement Ring Guide: Modern, Sharp, 15% Less Per Carat
The princess cut is the most popular non-round shape for a reason: near-round sparkle, architectural geometry, and a 15–25% per-carat discount. Here is what to look for, what to avoid, and how it compares to round, cushion, and radiant cuts.
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Diamond Fluorescence: Does it Matter? Full Guide for Buyers
About 30% of natural diamonds and 10% of lab-grown fluoresce blue under UV light. For most buyers, fluorescence is invisible and harmless. For 3% of stones, it matters. Here is how to tell which is which.
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