Diamond Education

GIA vs IGI Diamond Certification: What Is the D...

A direct comparison of GIA and IGI diamond certification — grading consistency, what each certificate covers, and which is more appropriate for lab grown stones.

GIA vs IGI Diamond Certification: What Is the D...

A direct comparison of GIA and IGI diamond certification — grading consistency, what each certificate covers, and which is more appropriate for lab grown stones.

Radiant Cut Diamonds: Pros, Cons, and Who They ...

A guide to radiant cut diamonds — the rectangular brilliant that bridges step and brilliant cuts, covering face-up appearance, colour tips, and who it suits best.

Radiant Cut Diamonds: Pros, Cons, and Who They ...

A guide to radiant cut diamonds — the rectangular brilliant that bridges step and brilliant cuts, covering face-up appearance, colour tips, and who it suits best.

Diamond Cut Explained: Why It Matters More Than...

Why diamond cut is the most important of the four Cs — what it measures, how graders assess it, and why it should be the last thing you compromise on.

Diamond Cut Explained: Why It Matters More Than...

Why diamond cut is the most important of the four Cs — what it measures, how graders assess it, and why it should be the last thing you compromise on.

Diamond Colour Chart: What the Grades Actually ...

A guide to the diamond colour grading scale from D to Z: what each grade looks like in practice, and how metal choice affects which colour grade to buy.

Diamond Colour Chart: What the Grades Actually ...

A guide to the diamond colour grading scale from D to Z: what each grade looks like in practice, and how metal choice affects which colour grade to buy.

1ct vs 2ct vs 3ct Diamond: What Is the Real Dif...

A direct comparison of 1ct, 2ct, and 3ct diamonds: what each looks like in a ring, how prices scale non-linearly, and where the value sits.

1ct vs 2ct vs 3ct Diamond: What Is the Real Dif...

A direct comparison of 1ct, 2ct, and 3ct diamonds: what each looks like in a ring, how prices scale non-linearly, and where the value sits.

Cushion Cut Diamonds: Pros and Cons Before You Buy

A guide to cushion cut diamonds covering face-up appearance, chunky vs crushed ice faceting patterns, and how to assess cut quality before buying.

Cushion Cut Diamonds: Pros and Cons Before You Buy

A guide to cushion cut diamonds covering face-up appearance, chunky vs crushed ice faceting patterns, and how to assess cut quality before buying.

Useful next steps

Ready to move from research to a ring?

The guides are here to help you make better decisions. These are the most useful next pages when you are close to choosing a direction.

Start here

Design your engagement ring

Turn the research into a ring brief. Choose the stone, setting, metal and details with direct guidance from À Vie.

Design your ring

Budget

Understand bespoke pricing

See what affects engagement ring cost, from diamond choice and metal to setting complexity and craftsmanship.

Read pricing guide

Compare

Seen a ring elsewhere?

Send us the reference. We can explain what is achievable, where the value sits, and how a bespoke version could work.

Compare your ring

More from the journal

Explore related guides

Move between engagement ring advice, bespoke design guidance and practical diamond buying articles.

Journal

The Bespoke Journey

How our bespoke process works, from first consultation through to the finished ring.

33 articlesRead more

Journal

Engagement Rings

Style, budget, diamond and setting advice for choosing or commissioning an engagement ring.

47 articlesRead more

Journal

Bespoke Jewellery

Guidance for custom jewellery, meaningful details, stone choices and made-to-order design.

26 articlesRead more

Journal

Inspiration & Guides

Helpful buying guidance, ideas and context for planning a piece with confidence.

33 articlesRead more

Got a question?