Diamond Education

Learn about diamonds

Diamond Education

Everything you need to choose a lab grown diamond with confidence — from the 4Cs to certification, anatomy and how they are made.

The 4Cs of Diamonds
Cut, Color, Clarity and Carat — the four qualities that determine a diamond's beauty and value. Tap any grade to see what it means.
The First C

Cut

The most important C — cut determines how a diamond reflects light and sparkles. A well-cut stone dazzles even at a lower colour or clarity grade.

ExcellentVery GoodGoodFairPoor
The Second C

Color

Graded from D (colourless) to Z (light yellow). The less colour a diamond shows, the brighter and icier it appears.

D–FG–JK–MN–RS–Z
The Third C

Clarity

Measures tiny internal marks called inclusions. The fewer and smaller they are, the higher the grade — and most are invisible to the naked eye.

FL/IFVVSVSSII
The Fourth C

Carat

The diamond's weight — not its size. Two stones of equal carat can look very different depending on cut and shape.

0.5ct1ct1.5ct2ct3ct+

What RINOVA Uses

Every centre stone we set is Excellent cut, E–F colour and VVS clarity, certified by IGI. We do not offer lower grades. It keeps the choice simple, and it means the stone in the photograph is the stone that arrives.

How Lab Grown Diamonds Are Made
Two methods, both producing real diamond — identical carbon, identical hardness.
Method One

HPHT

High Pressure, High Temperature recreates the conditions found deep in the earth — roughly 1,500°C under immense pressure. A tiny diamond seed grows into a full crystal.

Method Two

CVD

Chemical Vapour Deposition grows the crystal layer by layer from carbon-rich gas in a vacuum chamber. It allows exceptional control over purity and colour.

The Result

Weeks, Not Aeons

What takes the earth a billion years takes a few weeks in a laboratory. The finished crystal is then cut and polished by hand, exactly like any other diamond.

IGI Certification: Why It Matters
Independent proof of exactly what you're buying.
  • Graded by IGI — the International Gemological Institute, the world's leading authority on lab grown diamond grading. We never grade our own stones.
  • Origin stated clearly — the report confirms the stone is laboratory grown. Honest paperwork is the whole point.
  • Verify it yourself — every IGI report carries a number you can check directly on igi.org.
  • Every centre stone — no exceptions, on every piece we make.
Diamond Anatomy
The parts of a diamond that shape its sparkle.
  • Table — the flat top facet; its size affects how light enters and returns.
  • Crown — the upper section above the girdle, where much of the sparkle is created.
  • Girdle — the thin band around the widest point, where the stone is set.
  • Pavilion — the lower section that reflects light back up through the crown.
  • Culet — the tiny point at the very bottom of the diamond.
  • Depth — the height from table to culet; correct depth gives the best light performance.
How to Choose the Right Piece

Set a Budget

Decide what you're comfortable spending. With the grade fixed at Excellent, E–F, VVS, the only lever left is carat weight — which keeps the decision simple.

Pick a Shape

Choose a shape that suits the wearer's hand and style, from timeless round to elongating oval. See the shapes guide

Choose the Carat Weight

Carat is weight, not width. A 1 ct round measures about 6.5 mm across; 2 ct is about 8.1 mm. The jump in price is steeper than the jump in size.

Match the Metal

10K is hardest, 18K has the richest colour, platinum holds stones most securely. Compare the metals

Check the IGI Report

It ships with your piece. Read it, and verify the number on igi.org.

Frequently Asked Questions
Are lab grown diamonds real diamonds?

Yes. Identical chemical, physical and optical properties to a mined diamond — pure crystallised carbon, 10 on the Mohs scale. The difference is origin, not substance.

Do you sell loose diamonds?

No. We set every stone ourselves, so each piece leaves our atelier finished and checked. If you want a specific stone for a custom design, talk to us and we will source it.

Do you sell mined diamonds?

No. RINOVA works exclusively with IGI certified lab grown diamonds.

Which C is the most important?

Cut, without question. It has more effect on how a diamond looks than colour or clarity, and it is the one thing that cannot be fixed later. Every stone we set is Excellent cut.

Why not offer lower grades to save money?

We could, and many sellers do. But VVS and E–F cost us less in a lab grown stone than they would mined, so we pass that on rather than dropping the quality. One grade, one decision less to worry about.

Can anyone tell it is lab grown?

Not by eye, and not with a jeweller's loupe. It takes specialised laboratory equipment — which is precisely why the IGI report states the origin.

How do I read an IGI report?

It lists the 4Cs plus measurements, proportions and the report number. Send us any report and we will walk you through it, line by line.

Duties Included

Free insured shipping, nothing to pay on arrival

IGI Certified

Independent report with every centre stone

30-Day Returns

Change your mind, send it back

Elegant Packaging

Gift-ready in a lined presentation box