Looking to buy a ring but unsure of what some of these terms mean? You’re not alone!
We have put together the following guides as your one-stop cheat-sheet for purchasing a ring with all the information you need to know.
Still have a query? Contact us, we will be delighted to help.
The Alba Ring
Ring Buying Guide
Ring Size Chart
For more information, check out our Ring Size Guide.
UK
US
EU
Japan
H
33/4
46
6
H1/2
4
47
7
I
7.5
J
8.5
J1/2
43/4
49
9
K
51/4
50
10
K1/2
51/2
L
51/4
51
11
Clarity Guide
Clarity is referred to as the purity of a diamond. Almost all diamonds have small impurities or “inclusions”, even those grown in a lab, but they are not always visible to the naked eye. They are graded on a scale from (I) Included to (F) flawless.
At Ethica Diamonds, the standard for our diamonds is VVS or flawless, which are at the top of the grading scale for clarity. This is because imperfections can cause weaknesses within a diamond, making them more susceptible to chipping (yes, all diamonds can chip!) We like to ensure the diamonds we set in our jewellery have the highest chance at not doing that and staying perfect through the generations. Also, the higher the clarity grade, the better the sparkle, which is only ever a good thing.
Metal Guide
At Ethica, we make our rings in four standard metal options: 18k rose gold, 18k yellow gold, 18k white gold and platinum, from recycled origins. These metal options strike the perfect balance between luxury and durability for fine jewellery.
Colour Guide
The Gemological Institute of America (GIA) developed the diamond colour scale in the 1940s to standardise diamond colour grading internationally. The scale begins with the letter D, which represents “colourless”, ie the whitest diamond possible, and increases in colour as the scale goes down the letters to “Z”.
At Ethica, we have a standard on our website for our white diamonds, being D, E or F. However, we also have an inventory for warmer coloured diamonds that are G, H & I, which is ideal for those who are looking to explore ways to make their budget go further, or simply have a preference for a warmer colour grade.
Fancy coloured diamonds (blue, pink, yellow, green etc) do not apply to the above colour grade scale, as their colour’s extend beyond the scale. To enquire about fancy diamonds, contact us directly and we will be delighted to guide you individually, to help you find the perfect coloured diamond for you.
Carat Size Guide
Round - Timelessly Classic, the round brilliant cut diamond will always be the most popular and classic shape. It is beloved for its unmatched brilliance and beauty and it returns the most amount of light due to its ideal facet pattern. It resembles a simple circle, which makes it extremely versatile.
Oval - Flattering and elongating, oval diamonds look larger than round diamonds and creates a gentle elongating effect for which elliptical gemstones are treasured. They make a woman’s finger seem longer and more slender. It’s popularity has soared in recent years and the oval is definitely one of our top selling shapes.
This cut is particularly flattering due to it's elongated shape
Emerald Classic - “Hall of mirrors” creates exceptional clarity. The ultimate vintage cut, a classic emerald cut diamond exudes old-world glamour. Unlike the multi-faceted brilliant cuts, this step-cut diamond isn’t known for sparkle, and should be enjoyed for its lustre and clarity instead.
The sophisticated Emerald cut is a rectangular shape with flat corners. It has a step cut facet design, which resembles a deep staircase and has the refractive effect of a series of mirrors.
This cut is particularly flattering due to it's elongated shape
Pear - Also known as teardrop of joy, the Pear cut diamond has often been a favourite of royalty and is also known as the teardrop diamond. The deep, mesmerising Pear cut is a combination of the rich fullness of the Round Brilliant and the sparkling intensity of the Marquise. Though traditionally used in pendants and drop earrings, this cut is also an eye-catching addition to rings. It’s a unique, beautiful cut that looks especially good in a halo setting and is known to have a slenderising effect on fingers due to its tapered end.
This cut is particularly flattering due to it's elongated shape
Asscher - The Asscher cut diamond can be seen as a 21st-century update to the Emerald cut. Also known as a step-cut, the Asscher cut features longer facets which give it a staircase appearance. It flashes long lines of sparkle, instead of the typical all-over sparkle. This cut features a square shape with many small step cuts along the top edges, and longer facets underneath for a Hall of Mirrors effect. The Asscher cut has a facet plan that draws the eye into the gemstone, giving it depth.
Cushion - The Cushion features a similar square silhouette to the Princess cut diamond, but has rounded corners, sometimes referred to as a Pillow cut, the Cushion cut has an open culet (the bottom point of the stone) The result is a deep, luxurious gemstone with a romantic effect. This is a square diamond shape with rounded corners and 61 facets. The cushion cut is one of the most brilliant cuts of all square and rectangular shaped stones, and makes a wonderful choice when looking for a classic shape that is more unique. Elongated cushions are also a wonderful choice for diamond shape. What that means, for those who don’t know, is when the diamond is longer than is is wide. Contact us directly if you would like an elongated cushion for your jewellery.
Emerald radiant - If you’re looking for an alternative to the popular Princess cut, a Radiant cut diamond for your engagement ring makes a lovely and classic choice. This cut is perfect for those who seek a breathtaking combination of an Emerald cut whilst craving the classic sparkle of a Round Brilliant cut diamond. A relatively new diamond shape, the Radiant cut was designed by Henry Grossbard in the late 1970s. He created a cutting technique that combined the best elements of Emerald and round diamond shapes–allowing Radiant diamonds to exhibit incredible brilliance and fire. The Radiant is also the first cut to have a brilliant-facet pattern applied to both the crown & pavilion which makes it exhibit fierce shine with much more brilliance and sparkle.
This cut is particularly flattering due to it's elongated shape
Princess - The princess cut diamond is a traditionally square diamond with sharp edges and 59 facets. The cut has a square shape when viewed from above, whilst from the side it is similar to that of an inverted pyramid. Princess cut diamonds have intense sparkle and intricate cross facets making it a favourite: as of 2015, princess cut diamonds were the second most popular choice for an engagement ring.
Heart - The gentle and endearing Heart cut diamond is also one of the most scintillating jewel designs. A modified version of the classic round brilliant, its rounded pavilion gives it incredible refraction and breathtaking brilliance, while the pointed bottom and gracefully curved arches at the top complete the shape with perfect symmetry.
Marquise - Similar to Pear, the Marquise cut diamond appears the largest of all cuts. Also known as “Navette”, meaning little boat in French, due to the marquise diamond’s boat-like shape. The long shape has a flattering, slenderising effect on the fingers, due to the tapered edges on both sides. A sleek and seductive design, the perfect Marquise cut gemstone should always be cut in a 2:1 aspect ratio, meaning it must be twice as long as it is wide to have the proper aesthetic effect.
This cut is particularly flattering due to it's elongated shape
Responsibly Grown Lab Diamonds
100% Certified Recycled Gold
Award Winning Customer Service
1% Turnover Donated To Charity
100% Ethical Rating Score
Description
Introducing the Alba Ring, a stunning piece of jewellery that exudes elegance and sophistication. Featuring pear cut lab grown diamonds carefully set in delicate bunches, creating a mesmerising trailing floral motif. The Alba Ring is the perfect choice for those who want a touch of glamour and luxury in their everyday style.
It is versatile enough to be worn on its own as a statement piece, or paired with other rings for a more dramatic look. This ring is not only a breathtaking statement piece, but it also doubles as a magnificent wedding band.
Ring Specification
Delivery
All Ethica, jewellery is made to the highest level of quality, and handcrafted especially for every customer.
Standard Delivery
Approximately 5 weeks.
Need it sooner? Get In Touch.
We know how special our jewellery is to our customers, and how having such an important purchase sent through the post might cause a bit of worry. This is why we use Royal Mail Special Delivery - a guaranteed next day fully tracked and insured service. We send you tracking details so you can see where your order is every step of the way.
Finance
We have various payment options available. See further details here on our finance page:
Klarna - Pay in 3
Split your purchases into 3 interest-free monthly payments.
Klarna - Pay in 30
Make a purchase and wait for it to be delivered before paying.
Humm
With Humm you can get up to £3,000 interest free and split your repayments over a 3, 6 or 12 month period.
Layaway
After an initial deposit, our layaway plan allows you to make monthly payments on any purchase. Please call us on 01872 222248 or email us at info@ethicadiamonds.co.uk for details.
Bank Transfer
You can purchase from us using BACS direct bank transfer, if you prefer.
Paypal
You can purchase from us using information from your PayPal account.
Apple Pay
You can purchase from us on our mobile site using your Apple Pay account.
Credit Cards
We accept all major credit cards including Visa, Mastercard and American Express.
Our Commitment
High Quality
Our fine jewellery is handcrafted using solid SCS certified recycled gold at a higher gram weight than most other jewellers, for maximum longevity to last for generations. The diamonds we use are among the top 1% of all diamonds worldwide, no matter their origin.
Hear from our happy customers
Your Ethica
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