Selecting a diamond is a significant moment, especially when the piece is meant to be worn every day, whether as a signature necklace or an engagement ring. Diamond jewelry is not only a personal treasure but often passed down as a family heirloom. That’s why we’ve created this guide to help you find a stone that’s as enduring and exceptional as the memories it will hold.
Finding the Right Diamond
For an Engagement
An engagement ring is a uniquely meaningful piece of jewelry, as it’s meant to be cherished for a lifetime. Finding the right diamond means choosing your, and especially your partner's, preferred shape while also selecting the best possible combination of the 4Cs: Cut, Colour, Clarity, and Carat weight – all within your personal budget.
The Diamonds 4 C's
CARAT
Carat refers to a diamond's weight, where one carat is equivalent to 0.20 grams. Carat weight influences how large a diamond appears – but it’s not the only factor. Shape and cut quality also play a key role in how big and brilliant a stone looks. A higher carat doesn’t always mean a more impressive diamond. For context: the average engagement ring in Switzerland features a diamond of around 0.6 carats.
Our Tip: Never skimp on clarity, cut, and color just to get more carats.
CUT
Cut measures how effectively a diamond's facets interact with light. Cut quality has a major impact on a diamond’s overall beauty and brilliance. For engagement rings – especially with classic shapes like round diamonds – it’s strongly recommended to choose an Excellent/Ideal cut. With fancy shapes like a heart, there’s generally more room for variation.
COLOR
Color grades evaluate the extent of color present in a diamond. When it comes to engagement rings, white diamonds are the most sought-after – with D to F color grades being especially popular for their icy, colorless appearance. It’s important to keep in mind that different diamond shapes reflect color differently, so the ideal grade can vary depending on the cut. At IRALIS we exclusively offer diamonds with DEF color.
CLARITY
Clarity describes the presence of internal or external imperfections in a diamond. If you're seeking a classically beautiful diamond, the highest clarity grades – FL (Flawless) or IF (Internally Flawless) – offer exceptional purity, but they’re extremely rare and come at a premium. Fortunately, diamonds in the VS1 to VS2 range often appear just as clean to the naked eye, making them a smart and visually flawless-looking choice.
Clarity becomes even more important with larger stones (1.5 carats and above), as inclusions are more easily visible due to the wider table facet. As tempting as it may be, it's best not to prioritise size over clarity when selecting an engagement ring. A well-balanced stone will always shine brighter.
For the Day-to-Day
Just like with an engagement ring, choosing a piece of diamond jewelry for everyday wear deserves thoughtful consideration. However, everyday designs tend to feature clusters or rows of smaller stones rather than a single centrepiece, as for example our Tennis Bracelet. This allows for a bit more flexibility when it comes to quality.
Whether it’s earrings, a necklace or a bracelet, minor inclusions are often barely noticeable in smaller diamonds – and even stones with average clarity can still appear bright and radiant in daily wear. Nevertheless, we only work with the highest quality stones that have been hand selected by a qualified gemologist for IRALIS pieces.
Certificate: The Passport of your Diamond
A proper certification is one of the most important factors when investing in diamond jewelry. It’s the only way to ensure that a diamond has been professionally graded and meets the standards it claims to.
At IRALIS, all our lab-grown diamonds above 1ct are certified by internationally recognized independent gemological institutes such as GIA & IGI. These certificates act as a diamond’s passport, detailing its cut, clarity, color, carat weight, and internal characteristics – all assessed by expert gemologists using professional tools like microscopes, scales, measurement tools, and loupes.
Each certified diamond also carries a unique report number, microscopically engraved on its girdle for verification.
Not all certifications are created equal. That’s why we only work with the most reputable independant institutions – to ensure you receive the quality, transparency, and trust your diamond deserves.
Smart Choices
Finding the right balance between beauty and value is key when choosing a diamond. Not every jump in quality leads to a visible difference – especially at the top end of the 4C scales – but it can have a big impact on price.
Cut plays the biggest role in a diamond’s brilliance and should never be compromised. An Excellent or Ideal cut will reflect light beautifully and is worth prioritising over clarity or color.
Color becomes more noticeable in larger diamonds. For stones over 1 carat, we recommend a grade of H or higher. Subtle variations in color can shift the price by 10% or more.
Clarity mostly affects price when moving into the highest grades. Between SI and VS, the visual difference is small – but prices rise sharply once you reach VVS or IF.
Finally, pricing often rewards weight over beauty. Most diamonds are cut to retain as much carat as possible, even at the expense of optical performance. That’s why multiple smaller diamonds can offer better value than one large stone.
Selecting the Perfect Fit & Setting
The right setting can enhance a diamond’s appearance and create the illusion of greater size. For example, a halo setting, which surrounds the centre stone with a circle of smaller diamonds, makes the main diamond appear noticeably larger by contrast. See our Nova Ring as an example.
Similarly, a slim or pavé band that is often set with small, sparkling diamonds draws the eye toward the centre and amplifies its presence. Choosing the right proportions and setting style can elevate the look of your ring without increasing the carat weight. See our Luna Ring as an example.
A plain knife-edge band creates a clean, modern silhouette that subtly draws the eye toward the centre stone. Its angled ridge catches the light and makes the band appear slimmer, which in turn enhances the presence of the diamond without increasing carat weight. See our Cassia Ring as an example.
What's the Difference between Lab-Grown and Mined Diamonds?
Lab-grown and mined diamonds are graded according to the exact same standards – both undergo the same rigorous quality checks based on the 4Cs.
The key difference lies in origin and transparency. Mined diamonds often pass through multiple hands, with supply chains that are difficult, if not impossible, to fully trace. In contrast, lab-grown diamonds are created in controlled environments and offer full traceability from start to finish. At IRALIS we have carefully vetted and chosen excellent producers that offer fair working conditions and use renewable energy sources in their production processes to be as mindful in our supply chain as we can be.
With our lab-grown diamonds, you get the same certified quality but with greater peace of mind.
If you want to learn more about lab-grown diamonds, read our full guide here.
Finding the Perfect Place to Buy Your Diamond
Choosing the right diamond begins with expert guidance. Speaking with a specialist helps you clarify what suits your taste and budget, making your search more focused and meaningful.
At IRALIS, all our lab-grown diamonds from 1 carat and above are certified by renowned gemological institutes such as GIA & IGI. Each stone is carefully selected based on strict quality standards:
– Cut: Only "Excellent" makes the cut
– Color: DEF (Colorless) or Fancy Colored and Champagne Diamonds
– Clarity: VS2 and above (Eyeclean)
We work exclusively with ethically sourced lab-grown diamonds powered by renewable energy. All of our jewelry pieces are designed in Switzerland and, set in recycled gold by masters of their craft in Italy or Belgium and made-to-order, ensuring jewelry as unique as your story.
Do you need guidance or are you interested in a custom piece?
Book an in-person or virtual appointment with one of our experts – we can't wait to meet you.
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