History of Diamonds in Engagement Rings

Have you heard the rumour that diamonds became the status quo for engagement rings following the infamous 1940’s ad campaign by DeBeers: "A Diamond Is Forever"? You’re not alone! While it’s true this campaign propelled diamonds into the forefront of the modern jewellery market, historians estimate that India was trading diamonds as early as the fourth century BC. Diamonds gained popularity in Europe and North America following their discovery in South Africa in the 1860’s.

It’s not just a flashy marketing campaign, but the unique properties of diamonds which have maintained their popularity for engagement rings. Well known as being the ‘hardest substance on earth’ and clocking in at a 10/10 on the Moh’s hardness scale, the diamond also has high electrical resistivity, low thermal expansion coefficient (ability to withstand extreme changes in temperature) and refractive proprieties (the way it bends light) that make it not only beautiful, but the perfect compound to stand the test of time.

In addition to their use in jewellery, diamonds play an important role in industrial tools; to drill, cut glass and so much more.

Shapes + Sizes

Mined diamonds are offered in a wide variety of shapes and sizes. No shape is ‘better’ than another, it is really a matter of personal preference.

 Shapes like round, oval, cushion and princess tend to be more traditional, while ‘fancy’ shapes like marquise, emeralds, radiants and pears can appear more modern or vintage.

Mined diamonds can be cut in large sizes for centre stones, or very small sizes for melé which is used for accent diamonds, pavé bands or halo designs.

Maximizing Your Budget

When it comes to maximizing your engagement ring budget, selecting the right diamond is very important. Some diamond shapes cost more than others and of course diamond pricing isn’t linear with an increase in carat weight. There are significant price increases as you reach benchmarks (1.00ct, 1.50ct, 2.00ct etc.). Work with an expert and know that if a deal looks too good to be true, it likely is.

 There’s a delicate dance between the 4 C’s to maximize your budget and carat weight, while still choosing a diamond that’s clear, white and brilliant. That dance is our specialty (but don’t ask to see us dance). We meticulously curate diamonds for each individual client to maximize your budget and honour your design vision.  Get in touch to learn more about diamond engagement rings, diamond education, or to book a brief call with designers Alexis + Mercedes.

Ethical Sourcing Practices

Early unethical diamond mining practices and ‘blood diamonds’ have made many people wary of working with mined diamonds. We support questioning an industry that has historically unethical labour conditions.  

That’s why we pride ourselves on only working with the most reputable diamond suppliers who uphold rigorous international standards.

Diamond Grading and Certification

Mined diamonds are certified by third party associations like the Gemological Institute of America (GIA) before they are available on the market. These certifying bodies employ expert gemologists who examine every diamond under magnification to document the stone’s characteristics.

The following attributes are documented:

What’s the difference between Mined and Lab Diamonds

Since lab diamonds have entered the market, clients are looking to understand how mined and lab diamonds differ and which to choose. Mined and lab diamonds are identical in the way they look and perform – even on a molecular level.

Here are the key differentiators: