From the Experts
Diamond Education
Everything you need to make a confident, informed purchase.
The Smart Choice
Lab-Grown vs Mined Diamonds
A 1.5ct lab-grown E/VS1 costs approximately $3,500. The equivalent mined diamond? Over $12,000.
Same carbon crystal structure. Same Mohs 10 hardness. Same fire and brilliance. Same physical and optical properties as mined diamonds. Lab-grown stones carry IGI certification; natural diamonds carry GIA certification. The only thing different is where it was born.
Shape & Style
Popular Diamond Cuts
Each cut has a distinct personality. Here are the most popular choices.
The ultimate sparkle and timeless choice.
Round Brilliant
The round brilliant cut is the most popular diamond shape in the world and is specifically engineered to maximize brilliance and fire. Its precise facet pattern reflects light exceptionally well, creating unmatched sparkle. Round diamonds are timeless, versatile, and pair beautifully with any engagement ring or fine jewelry setting.
Elegant sparkle with a flattering, elongated shape.
Oval
The oval cut delivers brilliance similar to a round diamond while offering a more distinctive, elongated silhouette. Its shape creates the illusion of longer, slimmer fingers and appears larger than many other cuts of the same carat weight. Oval diamonds feel modern, refined, and effortlessly elegant.
A bold square shape with brilliant sparkle.
Princess
The princess cut is a modern square diamond known for its sharp corners and exceptional light performance. It combines contemporary style with strong brilliance, making it one of the most popular engagement ring choices after round diamonds. It's ideal for clients who love clean lines and a modern look.
Soft, romantic curves with vintage character.
Cushion
The cushion cut features a square or rectangular shape with rounded corners, creating a soft, pillow-like appearance. It blends classic charm with modern sparkle and is often chosen for its romantic, vintage-inspired feel. Cushion diamonds look beautiful in both traditional and modern designs.
Sophisticated lines and elegant flashes of light.
Emerald
The emerald cut is a rectangular step-cut diamond defined by long, clean facets and an open table. Rather than intense sparkle, it highlights clarity and symmetry through its signature "hall-of-mirrors" effect. This cut offers a refined, timeless look favored for its understated luxury.
Dramatic shape that maximizes visual size.
Marquise
The marquise cut is an elongated diamond with pointed ends that creates a striking and elegant silhouette. Its shape makes the diamond appear larger than many other cuts of the same carat weight and naturally lengthens the appearance of the finger. It is bold, distinctive, and highly flattering.
Graceful teardrop shape with brilliant sparkle.
Pear
The pear cut combines the brilliance of a round diamond with the elegance of a marquise shape. Rounded on one end and pointed on the other, it offers a soft, feminine look that is both classic and unique. Pear-shaped diamonds are popular for their graceful appearance and versatile styling.
High sparkle with a modern, bold silhouette.
Radiant
The radiant cut features a square or rectangular shape with trimmed corners and brilliant-style facets. It delivers exceptional brightness while maintaining a strong geometric outline. This cut blends the elegance of step cuts with the sparkle of brilliant cuts, making it perfect for clients who want maximum brilliance in a modern design.
Vintage glamour with striking symmetry.
Asscher
The Asscher cut is a square step-cut diamond with deeply cropped corners and a distinctive, layered appearance. Known for its Art Deco heritage, it showcases clarity and symmetry through bold, dramatic light reflections. This cut is ideal for lovers of vintage elegance and architectural design.
A romantic symbol of love and individuality.
Heart
The heart cut is a distinctive and meaningful diamond shape representing love and commitment. Achieving perfect symmetry and sparkle requires expert craftsmanship. This cut is best suited for clients seeking a sentimental, eye-catching design that stands out while remaining elegant.
The Essentials
The 4Cs of Diamonds
Cut, Color, Clarity, and Carat — the universal language of diamond quality.
Cut
The most important of the 4Cs. Cut determines how light travels through the stone. Our diamonds are cut to Excellent or Ideal grade for maximum fire, brilliance, and scintillation.
Color
Graded D (colorless) to Z (light yellow). D–F are colorless; G–J are near-colorless and appear white to the naked eye. Most buyers choose G–H for outstanding beauty at great value.
Clarity
Clarity grades natural inclusions and surface blemishes on a scale from FL (flawless) to I3. VS1–VS2 and SI1 stones are eye-clean — no visible inclusions without magnification.
Carat
Carat measures diamond weight, not size. A well-cut 1.00ct diamond looks larger than a poorly cut 1.20ct stone. Prioritize cut grade, then carat, for the best visual impact.
Proof of Quality
IGI vs GIA Certification
Every TrueSmith diamond comes with a trusted, independent grading report. Here is what that means.
IGI
International Gemological Institute
Founded 1975 in Antwerp, Belgium. Exclusively certifies lab-grown diamonds. The global leader in lab-grown grading, with decades of dedicated expertise in this category.
- Certifies lab-grown diamonds exclusively
- Faster turnaround — typically 1–2 weeks
- More cost-efficient — better value for clients
- Verifiable online at igi.org
GIA
Gemological Institute of America
Founded 1931 in the United States. Created the 4Cs grading system. Exclusively certifies natural (mined) diamonds. The gold standard for earth-mined stones, with nearly a century of natural diamond heritage.
- Created the global 4Cs grading standard
- Longer processing — typically 2–3 weeks
- Higher certification costs
- Verifiable online at gia.edu/report-check
Our approach: TrueSmith primarily carries IGI-certified lab-grown diamonds. For natural (mined) diamonds, all stones carry GIA certification. Want a natural diamond? Contact us — we're happy to source GIA-certified stones to your exact specifications.
Read full certification guide