The 4Cs of Diamonds
The Appleby Philosophy
At Appleby Jewellers, we believe that a diamond is more than a stone—it is a testament to nature's rarest artistry and human craftsmanship at its finest. For over a century, our family has dedicated itself to sourcing only the most exceptional diamonds, those that meet our exacting standards of beauty, rarity, and ethical provenance.
Less than 1% of all diamonds mined possess the qualities we seek. This unwavering commitment to excellence ensures that every piece in our collection tells a story of distinction, integrity, and timeless elegance.
Cut
The cut of a diamond is the most critical factor in determining its brilliance. It is not merely about shape, but about precision—the angles, proportions, and symmetry that allow light to dance within the stone and return to the eye as fire and sparkle.
At Appleby, we select only diamonds with exceptional cut grades, ensuring that each stone achieves its maximum potential for light performance. A perfectly cut diamond transforms light into beauty, creating the mesmerising brilliance that defines true luxury.
Colour
The finest white diamonds are those that appear colourless, allowing light to pass through unimpeded and return as pure, brilliant white light. The colour grading scale ranges from D (colourless) to Z (light yellow or brown), with only the rarest stones achieving the coveted D, E, and F grades.
Appleby prioritises diamonds within the colourless to near-colourless range, ensuring exceptional purity and luminosity. Each diamond is carefully evaluated under controlled lighting to guarantee that only stones of the highest colour quality enter our collection.
Clarity
Clarity refers to the presence of natural characteristics within a diamond, known as inclusions, and surface imperfections, called blemishes. These are nature's fingerprints, formed over millions of years deep within the earth.
While no diamond is entirely flawless, the most exceptional stones possess minimal inclusions that are invisible to the naked eye. At Appleby, we select diamonds with clarity grades that ensure brilliance is never compromised, allowing each stone to radiate with unobstructed light and beauty.
Carat
Carat weight measures a diamond's size, with one carat equal to 200 milligrams. While carat weight is often associated with value, true luxury lies in the balance between size and the other three Cs.
A larger diamond is not necessarily more beautiful. At Appleby, we believe in selecting diamonds where carat weight complements cut, colour, and clarity, creating a harmonious presence that captivates without overwhelming. The result is a diamond of perfect proportion, elegance, and enduring allure.
The Appleby Standard
For over a century, the Appleby name has been synonymous with uncompromising quality and ethical sourcing. Every diamond in our collection is hand-selected by our master jewellers, each possessing decades of expertise and an unwavering commitment to excellence.
We source only natural diamonds that meet our rigorous standards across all four Cs, ensuring that every piece we create is a masterpiece of rarity, beauty, and integrity. When you choose Appleby, you choose a legacy of trust, craftsmanship, and timeless elegance.
Craftsmanship & Design
Each piece is meticulously handcrafted by our master jewellers in Dublin, combining traditional techniques with contemporary design.
Exceptional Aftercare
Lifetime complimentary cleaning, resizing, and maintenance to keep your jewellery looking pristine for generations.
GIA Certified Natural Diamonds
Only the finest ethically sourced natural diamonds, certified by the Gemological Institute of America for guaranteed quality.
What is Diamond Certification?
Diamond certification is a process in which a reputable gemological laboratory evaluates a diamond based on established standards. These laboratories, like the Gemological Institute of America (GIA), use precise grading systems to assess a diamond's key characteristics known as the 4Cs—cut, color, clarity, and carat weight. The result is a certification report, often referred to as a grading report, which gives you a detailed description of the diamond's qualities.
Understanding the Certification Process
This document helps guarantee that the diamond you are purchasing has been evaluated by experts, ensuring transparency and authenticity. By choosing a certified diamond, you are investing in a gemstone that has been thoroughly assessed according to the industry's most trusted standards.
By choosing a certified diamond, you are investing in a gemstone that has been thoroughly assessed according to the industry's most trusted standards.
Why Is Diamond Certification Important?
Diamond certification is essential because it provides you with the assurance that the diamond you are buying meets specific quality criteria. Without certification, it can be difficult to know the specifics of diamond's quality as well as whether it is natural or laboratory grown, as many diamonds may appear similar to the untrained eye. Certification offers peace of mind, especially when it comes to purchasing a valuable and long-term investment like a diamond.
With a certification from a well-known laboratory, you can be confident that the diamond has undergone rigorous testing by experienced gemologists. Additionally, certified diamonds are easier to insure and can be valuable for resale purposes, as they come with a trusted document outlining their key features.
GIA Certified Natural Diamonds
At Appleby Jewellers, we believe in complete transparency and trust. That’s why we offer GIA-certified diamonds graded by the Gemological Institute of America, the world’s most respected authority in diamond evaluation. A GIA certificate provides an independent, internationally recognised assessment of a diamond’s cut, colour, clarity, and carat weight, ensuring you know exactly what you’re buying.
Every GIA-certified diamond is laser-inscribed with a unique number and comes with a detailed report, giving you confidence in both the quality and the provenance of your stone. When you choose a GIA-certified Appleby diamond, you’re choosing excellence with integrity.
Engagement Ring FAQs
How Much Should I Spend On A Diamond Engagement Ring? What Diamond Shape Sparkles the Most? Should I insure my ring? We understand there are so many questions!
In this ultimate guide, we share our expertise, from diamond shapes to precious metals, so you can explore your options, feel inspired, and discover the ring that is truly right for you.