Diamonds
A diamond is the most studied stone on Earth and somehow still the one most people feel least confident buying. These five guides cover the decisions in the order you'll actually face them — origin, then shape, then cut quality, then the lab on the certificate.
Natural versus lab-grownChemically identical, optically indistinguishable — the difference is in the buying experience.The shape guideRound, oval, princess, cushion, emerald, asscher, marquise, pear, radiant, heart.The four CsCut, color, clarity, carat — ranked by how much each affects what you actually see.CertificationGIA, IGI, EGL, AGS, GCAL, HRD — where they agree and where they don't.Best stones for engagement ringsA practical ranking, including the colored stones that hold up to daily wear.