Know Your Diamond
Diamond & Materials Education
A clear guide to understanding diamonds, precious metals and the details that matter when choosing fine jewellery.
Education
Chapter 01Introduction
Understanding What You Buy
Diamond Anatomy & LightA diamond's appearance is shaped by more than its size. Cut, clarity, colour and carat weight all contribute to how a stone looks and performs, while the metal and craftsmanship of the jewellery shape the final piece.
Understanding these details helps you compare pieces more confidently and choose what matters most to you.
“Cut, clarity, and geometry define brilliance far beyond simple carat weight.”
Core Characteristics
Chapter 02Core Characteristics
The 4Cs of a Diamond
Four widely used characteristics help describe and compare diamonds.
Proportions & Fire
Cut
Affects: Light PerformanceCut determines how a diamond's facets and symmetry interact with light. A master cut maximizes brightness, fire (color flashes), and sparkle across the entire crown.
Maru Gold Tip: Cut is the single most important factor for visual beauty. An Excellent cut makes a diamond appear larger and brighter.
Cut
Cut describes how a diamond's proportions, facets and angles interact with light. A well-executed cut can influence brightness, fire and overall visual appeal.
Affects: Light Performance
Clarity
Clarity describes internal and external characteristics, often called inclusions and blemishes. These characteristics are considered when grading a diamond.
Affects: Visual Characteristics
Colour
Colour grading describes how close a diamond is to a colourless appearance within the grading system used by the relevant report.
Affects: Tone / Appearance
Carat
Carat refers to the weight of a diamond. It does not directly determine beauty or quality, and two diamonds of the same carat weight can appear different.
Measures: Weight
Visual Silhouette
Chapter 03Visual Design
Diamond Shapes
Shape refers to the overall outline of a diamond, while cut describes how the stone has been proportioned and finished.
Precious Metals
Chapter 04Precious Metals
Understanding Jewellery Materials
The metal and materials used in a piece influence its appearance, durability, colour and care requirements.
Gold
FoundationGold in its pure form is soft, so it is blended with other metals for strength. The proportion of gold in the final alloy is measured by karat or purity fineness.
Yellow Gold
Tonal AlloyOffers a warm, classic presentation, complementing diamonds with a traditional look.
White Gold
Tonal AlloyOffers a sleek, neutral presentation that emphasizes a diamond's colorless purity.
Rose Gold
Tonal AlloyOffers a warm, romantic blush tone created through custom copper-alloy compositions.
Fineness & Alloys
Chapter 05Fineness
What Does Gold Purity Mean?
Gold purity refers to the proportion of gold within the metal used for a jewellery piece. It may be expressed using karat or fineness terminology.
Higher purity generally means a greater proportion of gold in the alloy, while jewellery properties also depend on the complete metal composition and design.
Advisory Steps
Chapter 06Guidance
Start With What Matters To You
Use these three pathways to help refine your selection when choosing diamonds.
Look
01Think about the shape, proportions and overall appearance you prefer.
Light
02Consider how the cut influences the way a diamond interacts with light.
Details
03Review the documented characteristics and ask questions about anything you want clarified.
Need Guidance Choosing Your Diamond?
Connect directly with our gemologist advisors for certified stone certificates, custom 3D previews, or metal matching.
Ready to Explore?
Find a Piece That Feels Right
Explore our jewellery collections or speak with our team for guidance on diamonds, materials and selection.