Buying a diamond is an important decision, whether you are choosing an engagement ring, a special gift, or a timeless piece of jewellery. One of the first things you will come across during the process is the term 4Cs. These four factors — cut, colour, clarity, and carat — are the main standards used to assess a diamond’s quality and overall appearance.

Choosing a diamond used to be straightforward. You walked into a jeweller, looked at what was available, and picked the stone that caught your eye. Today, there is a decision to make before you even consider cut, colour, or carat: do you want a natural diamond, formed deep within the earth over billions of years, or a lab grown diamond, created using advanced technology in a matter of weeks?