We only use quality white Diamonds of a high clarity and superior cut that maximises the brilliance, fire and scintillation of the Diamond as well as its carat weight. For Certified Diamonds we supply a GIA (Gemmological Institute of America) or HRD (The Diamond High Council) Diamond Grading Report. To find out more go to Diamond Grades.

When hand selecting quality Diamonds our jewellers adhere to a strict criteria called The 4Cs. To find out more go to The 4Cs. As we are particularly concerned about where our materials come from, especially Diamonds, we also have a fifth Ethical Diamonds requirement where we will only use Conflict Free Diamonds.

Diamond Grades

The Diamonds we prefer to use are well above the industry standard for quality. They are as follows:

H Colour VS1 - A near colourless Diamond with discrete, very small inclusions that can be detected by an expert with varying degrees of difficulty. This high quality Diamond is non certified below 0.40ct unless requested.

HVS1 A near colourless Diamond with discrete, very small inclusions that can be detected by an expert with varying degrees of difficulty. This high quality Diamond is either GIA or HRD certified above 0.40ct.

EVS1 A rarer colourless certified Diamond with discrete, very small inclusions that can be detected by an expert with varying degrees of difficulty. This very high quality Diamond is either GIA or HRD certified above 0.40ct, unless requested on smaller diamonds.

DVVS1 A truly colourless certified Diamond with extremely discrete, very, very small inclusions that can be detected by an expert with varying degrees of difficulty under 10x magnification. This premium quality Diamond is either GIA or HRD certified above 0.40ct, unless requested on smaller diamonds.

The 4Cs

When hand selecting quality Diamonds our jewellers adhere to a strict criteria called The 4Cs, which stands for Colour, Clarity, Cut and Carat.

Colour

Colour is one of the most important characteristics that determine the value of a Diamond. An ideal Diamond is totally absent of all body colour (colourless), unless you desire a rare Fancy Diamond that comes in the fully saturated colours of yellow, pink, blue, green, champagne, black, and very rare red.

Diamonds are graded on a precise colour scale established by the Gemmological Institute of America (GIA) and range from totally Colourless (D to F) and Near Colourless (G to J), down through a progression of tinted and lighter yellow colours (K to Z). Fancy Diamonds - where an intensive hue is an asset - range from Fancy Light, Fancy to Fancy Intense.

At Stephen Einhorn we like to use premium quality Colourless Diamonds ranging from D to H.

GIA colour grading scale. Stephen Einhorn only uses colourless and near colourless diamonds that are H or better.

Clarity

The Clarity of a Diamond refers to its optical quality owing to the presence of inclusions (internal objects) and blemishes (external marks) that can be seen under magnification or 10x Loupe. The fewer and less prominent the inclusions, the rarer and thus more valuable the Diamond. Almost all natural diamonds contain their own variation of these inclusions that are minute traces of non-crystallised carbon or small non-diamond crystals, making every Diamond unique.

The grading of Clarity is based on a standard Clarity Grading system, with the extremely rare Flawless (FL) being at the peak of the scale:

FL Flawless or Loupe Clean. These extremely rare Diamonds are absolutely transparent and free from inclusions.

IF Internally Flawless with minor surface blemishes. These again are extremely rare Diamonds and are priced accordingly.

VVS1 Very, very small inclusion(s) which are very hard to find with a 10xloupe.

The size, position and number of the inclusions determine the distinction between VVS1 and VVS2.

VS1 Very small inclusion(s) that can hardly be found with a 10x loupe.

The size, position and number of the inclusions determine the distinction between VS1 and VS2.

SI1 Small inclusion(s) that are easy to find with a 10x loupe.

SI2 are not seen with the naked eye through the crown side.

The size, position and number of the internal defects determine the distinction between SI1 and SI2.

I1 Imperfect with inclusions that are immediately evident with a 10x Loupe but are difficult to find with the naked eye through the crown.

I2 Large and/or numerous inclusion(s) very easily visible to the naked eye through the crown side and which slightly reduce the brilliance.

I3 Large and/or numerous inclusion(s) very easily visible to the naked eye through the crown side and which reduce the brilliance.

Cut

The quality of the Cut can have the greatest effect on the value of a Diamond. The proportions and symmetry of the facets cut from a rough diamond will establish its light performance, thus determining the polished Diamonds brilliance, sparkle, and fire.

As the polishers skill in shaping the stone is paramount the Cut is the one factor most directly influenced by man. A well-cut diamond will internally reflect light from one mirror-like facet to another and disperse and reflect it through the top of the stone in a rainbow blaze. A badly cut Diamond, such as one that is cut too deep or too shallow, will leak light out through the base or side of the Diamond, thus diminishing its brilliance and value.

As all of our fine jewellery is handmade in the London-based Stephen Einhorn workshops, only those that provide the most dynamic light show are hand selected by our jewellers.

The Cut is not to be confused with the Shape or Style of the Diamond, which you can read about in our Shape and Style section of this guide.

Ideal Cut

When light enters a perfectly cut diamond, it is reflected from facet to facet and comes back through the top in a rainbow blaze.

Deep Cut

If a diamond is cut too deep or too shallow, the light is reflected to the opposite facets at the wrong angle.

If it is a Deep Cut it will 'leak' light out through the side of the diamond, thus diminishing its brilliance and sparkle.

Shallow Cut

If the diamond is cut too shallow, the light 'leaks' through its base and the eye may see a dull reflection.

Proportion and Symmetry

The proportions and symmetry of a cut diamond are of extraordinary importance as they have the greatest influence on the brilliance, liveliness or sparkle of a stone. They also determine how well the diamond will sit in its hand-crafted Stephen Einhorn Setting.

Carat

Carat is the standard international unit of weight for Diamonds and does not refer directly to the Diamonds size. However as larger Diamonds occur less frequently in nature they can be more valuable, but only depending upon their rating with the other 3Cs. It is vitally important that colour, clarity and cut are also taken into account when selecting a Diamond for aesthetic appeal, quality and value.

Two stones of equal size can have very different values depending on their quality. Carat weight does not affect the value in diamonds proportionately and the larger the stone the more disproportionate the increase in cost per carat.

1 Carat = 1/5 (0.2) Gram. The Carat is further divided into points; a unit of weight used only for Diamonds. 1 Point = 1/100 (0.01) Carat.

When hand selecting Diamonds we take into account all of the 4Cs. We prefer quality white Diamonds that display the greatest brilliance, fire and scintillation.

If you require a particular size Diamond of a particular Carat weight, Colour, Clarity, and Cut we can source this for you as part of our Bespoke Jewellery Service.

Conflict Free

Conflict Diamonds are rough diamonds that are traded illicitly by rebel movements in many parts of West and Central Africa to purchase arms and fund brutal military campaigns. These insurgent groups perpetrate violent atrocities and human rights violations against innocent civilians and prolong civil wars. The Kimberley Process Certification Scheme is an international, voluntary system that bans the trade of Conflict Diamonds and imposes extensive requirements on Participants to certify that shipments of rough diamonds are free from Conflict Diamonds.

We choose to comply with the United Nations backed Kimberley Process Certification Scheme and refuse to use Conflict Diamonds. We also insist that our suppliers provide us with written guarantees, ensuring they do the same.

We offer this pledge on behalf of the millions of innocents who have suffered displacement, maiming and death at the hands of the rebel groups who have been funded by illicit diamond proceeds.

QUALITY GEMSTONES

Naturally formed Gemstones come in a large range of types, in a huge variety of colours and cuts, from many parts of the world. As all items from our London workshop are handmade using ethically sourced materials and labour we hand select all of our quality coloured Gemstones from the huge choice available. Our Gemstones are carefully chosen for their liveliness, richness & evenness of colour and aesthetic appeal. Any Gemstone that does not meet our high standards is immediately rejected. We refuse to use Sapphires and Rubies that come from the military regime of Myanmar (Burma) on ethical grounds. We only use reputed gem dealers who keep a close check on the conditions under which their natural coloured gemstones are mined.

As we are particularly concerned about where our materials come from, especially Diamonds, we also have a fifth Ethical requirement where we refuse to use Conflict Diamonds which are inexorably linked with human rights abuses and conflict in many parts of Africa.

SHAPES AND STYLES

Insert shapes and styles photo

CONTEMPORARY DESIGN

Stephens zeitgeist designs capture the essence of modern urban life. The smooth, clean lines of his Gypsy and Rub-Over settings, where the Diamond or Gemstone is flush with the top of the ring, means there are no prongs or claws to become caught or bent unlike many traditional settings.

Stephen prefers to use a mixture of modern classic shapes and styles of Diamonds and Gemstones to complement his contemporary and minimalist designs.

On special request, Stephen will design custom-made settings for other Shapes & Styles of Diamond and Gemstone cuts as part of our Bespoke Design service.

BESPOKE DESIGN

Stephen Einhorn offers a bespoke jewellery service where we design and hand make commissioned pieces on special request. Bespoke engagement rings using premium quality Diamonds and Gemstones in custom-made settings are our particular specialty. To take advantage of this service please refer to the Bespoke Quote section of this website. Our specialist jewellers will be able to advise you as to the best quality Diamond to suit your tastes, requirements and budget.

From time to time we are asked by customers to work with their own Diamonds or Gemstones that hold great sentimental value to them. For this type of commission we will remove the Diamonds or Gemstones from their existing settings and re-set them in one of our own contemporary designs on special request. In this instance we have a Disclaimer that must be agreed to before we will accept to undertake the commission:

DISCLAIMER

As your own Diamond or Gemstone has been made or obtained from elsewhere, we cannot guarantee its nature. This includes its quality, authenticity, material or construction. Therefore we accept no responsibility for any damage caused, owing to the Diamond or Gemstones unknown nature.

DIAMOND AND GEMSTONE CARE

Diamonds are the hardest substance known to humankind and your Diamond should last forever with the right care. Coloured Gemstones are more fragile and also require special care. Therefore we advise you to take note of our Diamond and Gemstone jewellery care advice in the Jewellery Services section of this website.

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