Langmere Hart
A guide to choosing your stone
Explore natural diamond, laboratory-grown diamond and moissanite. Natural and laboratory-grown diamonds share the same essential material, while moissanite has its own composition, appearance and wear characteristics.
| Stone | Material and origin | Mohs hardness | Appearance | Price guide |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Natural diamond | Crystalline carbon formed within the Earth | 10 | White brilliance and coloured fire; cut has a strong influence on appearance | Typically costs more than a comparable laboratory-grown diamond |
| Laboratory-grown diamond | Crystalline carbon grown using technology | 10 | Essentially the same optical properties as natural diamond; origin needs specialist identification | Typically costs less than a comparable natural diamond |
| Moissanite | Silicon carbide; jewellery stones are generally laboratory-grown | 9.25 | Strong rainbow fire, often more noticeable than diamond, particularly in larger stones | Generally more affordable than natural diamond |
Understanding the 4Cs
Cut, colour, clarity and carat weight describe different characteristics of a diamond. Read them together, alongside the stone's dimensions and grading report, to choose the balance that suits you.
Cut: light and sparkle
Cut quality describes how a diamond's proportions and craftsmanship influence brightness, coloured fire and sparkle. It is different from the outline of the stone, such as emerald or marquise. GIA's overall cut scale runs from Excellent to Poor for standard round brilliant diamonds in the D-to-Z colour range. For other shapes, consider proportions, polish, symmetry and the stone's appearance; the same overall cut grade may not be provided.
Colour: understanding the scale
The normal diamond colour scale runs from D, which is colourless, to Z, which has a light yellow, brown or grey tone. A laboratory compares stones under controlled conditions. Fancy-coloured diamonds use a different assessment, so this scale should not be used to judge every coloured diamond.
Clarity: features within and on the stone
Clarity grades describe internal inclusions and surface blemishes assessed at 10× magnification. The scale runs from FL (Flawless) and IF (Internally Flawless), through VVS1–VVS2 (Very, Very Slightly Included), VS1–VS2 (Very Slightly Included), SI1–SI2 (Slightly Included), to I1–I3 (Included). Some features seen under magnification are difficult to see with the unaided eye. A clarity grade alone does not describe a stone's sparkle.
Carat: weight and visible size
One carat (ct) equals 0.2 grams. Carat measures weight; dimensions in millimetres help you understand how large a stone will look. Stones of equal weight can have different outlines and proportions. Check whether a listing gives the centre-stone weight or the total weight of all stones in the piece.
How grading differs between stones
Natural and laboratory-grown diamonds
Both are diamond, but laboratories may describe their quality differently. IGI uses the 4Cs for both natural and laboratory-grown diamonds. GIA's current quality assessment for colourless to near-colourless laboratory-grown diamonds uses the overall descriptions Premium or Standard. Check the issuing laboratory, report type and assessment method when comparing stones.
Moissanite
For moissanite, compare cut, colour, clarity and dimensions in millimetres, and check who assessed the stone. Some providers issue reports specifically for moissanite. Diamond-style colour or clarity labels should be read in the context of that provider's grading method. A diamond-equivalent weight (DEW) describes a size comparison with diamond; it is not the moissanite's actual carat weight.
Reading a grading report
Check the stone's identity and origin, measurements, weight, quality assessments and any treatment notes. Where an independent laboratory report is supplied, verify its number with the issuing laboratory and match its details to the stone. A brand authentication card and an independent gemstone grading report serve different purposes; the product description should explain which documentation accompanies the piece.
Choosing what matters to you
Consider the look you enjoy, your budget and how often you will wear the piece. Compare stone dimensions as well as carat weight: equal weights in different materials do not necessarily look the same size.
Hardness is not the whole story
Mohs hardness describes resistance to scratching. The scale is not evenly spaced, and a harder stone is not unbreakable. Diamonds can still chip, particularly at exposed points or edges.
Care for the whole piece
Store jewellery separately and follow care instructions for the metal, plating, setting and stone together. Avoid abrasive cleaners. Ask a jeweller before using ultrasonic or steam cleaning, particularly if a stone has treatments or the setting is delicate.
Prices vary with size, cut, quality, treatment and documentation. This is a general educational comparison, not a list of confirmed Langmere Hart materials. Each product's final specification will identify its stone before ordering opens.
Further reading: GIA: cut, GIA: colour, GIA: clarity, GIA: carat weight, GIA: laboratory-grown diamond assessment, IGI: 4Cs grading, Charles & Colvard: moissanite size and weight, GIA: stone alternatives and GIA: diamond care.