Diamonds & Gems

There are many things to consider before choosing a piece from the precious collection at e.g.etal.

Firstly, it’s a good idea to think about how you will wear the piece. Things to consider include how often you’ll wear the piece (be it every day or only occasionally), or whether the ring will be worn with another ring.

The aesthetic qualities of a piece are also important considerations. Think about the colour of the metal, as well as the type and colour of stone to be used. It is also important to think carefully about the design of the piece. e.g.etal’s Precious Collection includes an eclectic array of styles—minimal, classic, organic, contemporary and so on—therefore it’s important to think about the nature of the design that appeals to you.

All of the pieces in our Precious Collection can be made to order and our artists are happy to work within their style to adjust some designs to suit your specifications. We’re always happy to talk you through some of the options in order to help you find the perfect ring. Please email us or call us on 03 9639 5111 to start this conversation.

The “four Cs” refer to the classification of diamonds. They are:

1. Cut
Of all of the diamond classifications, cut has the greatest effect on the beauty of a diamond. Two diamonds of the same size, colour and clarity will look very different to the eye if cut differently—one may be bright and brilliant, the other dull and lifeless. An exceptionally cut diamond will always be more brilliant and beautiful.

2. Colour
Most diamonds range in varying degrees of colour and this creates substantial differences in value. The highest grade for a diamond, with absolutely no colour, is D this proceeds in scale through to Z. Most people are drawn to the icy white tones of a diamond, and these stones are normally classified as D, E or F. However, G, H and I grade diamonds throw beautiful shades of white and are typically known as very good colour.

3. Clarity
Diamond clarity refers to how pure the stone is—the more flaws within the stone, the less valuable the diamond is. The definitions Flawless, VVS (very very slight), VS (very slight) and SI1 (slight inclusions 1) have the least inclusions or flaws. SI2 (slight inclusions 2) is the point at which inclusions become visible to the naked eye.

4. Carat weight
Diamond carat refers to the measurement of stone weight. A carat is equal to one fifth of a gram. As diamonds increase in size, their cost tends to increase dramatically. However, weight does not always enhance the value of a diamond, particularly if the aforementioned qualities are less than ideal.

Please email us, call us on 03 9639 5111, or make an appointment to discuss diamond characteristics.

On request, we can provide a Purchase Valuation for your stone-set piece sold as part of the Precious Collection at e.g.etal. This document includes information you will need to provide to your insurance company should you choose to insure your ring (details of the metal carat and the stone, as well as the price that you paid for the piece). An e.g.etal Purchase Valuation is provided to you as a complimentary service.

If you would like an Independent Valuation from our trusted third-party jeweller, we can also arrange this upon on request. There is a fee for this service.

The artists at e.g.etal prefer to source the stones to be used in their rings. However, they are happy to use stones provided by the client after considering a few things. Our artists would prefer to use stones that are larger than 0.50ct and are sentimental to you—that is, stones that have been passed on from a family member. We recommend that you provide us with the details of your stones and we can ask an artist to provide you with a quote based on this information.

If the artist is happy to proceed with making your ring using the stone that you have provided, it will initially need to be independently valued. By having the stone valued, we are able to ensure that the stone is strong enough to be unset from its original setting and reset into the new ring, and that it doesn’t have any major flaws or inclusions.

Once the new ring has been completed, the finished ring will be presented with the independent valuation, which will include all information you need should you want to insure your new piece.

Please email us or call the gallery on 03 9639 5111 if you would like to discuss your ideas further.

To keep your diamond in great condition, we suggest cleaning it often to remove lotions, skin oil and everyday dirt, which all affect the brilliance of the stone. We recommend dropping into the gallery to have our staff clean your ring cleaned in our ultrasonic machine. If you aren’t in Melbourne, we recommend cleaning your diamond with warm water and a couple of drops of lemon dishwashing detergent.

Always try to protect your stone-set jewellery from potential impacts. Even diamonds can break or be chipped as a result of a hard knock or shock.

We recommend having your diamond jewellery checked by the artist annually. They will be able to tighten any loose settings, check your stone, and clean and polish your piece.