Guide to Diamonds

Understanding the beauty of a diamond

A diamond is one of nature’s rarest creations, formed deep within the earth over billions of years. Through expert cutting and craftsmanship, this natural crystal reveals the brilliance and fire that have made diamonds symbols of beauty, commitment, and permanence.

At Orrling Jewellery, we believe that understanding a diamond is the first step toward choosing a piece that will be worn and treasured for a lifetime. Our Diamond Academy introduces the essential principles that define a diamond’s brilliance, rarity, and enduring value.

How Diamonds Are Formed

A story written in the earth

Natural diamonds begin their journey deep within the earth’s mantle, more than 150 kilometers beneath the surface, where intense heat and pressure transform carbon into crystalline form.

Over billions of years, volcanic activity carries these crystals upward through the earth’s crust. Once discovered, the rough stones are carefully cut and polished by skilled craftsmen to reveal the brilliance hidden within.

Each natural diamond is therefore a rare geological treasure formed long before human history began.

Billions of years in the making

A natural diamond is the result of immense time, pressure, and geological transformation an extraordinary creation shaped deep within the earth.School introduces the essential principles that define a diamond’s brilliance, rarity, and enduring value.

The 4Cs

The language of diamond quality

Diamonds are evaluated according to four internationally recognized characteristics: Cut, Color, Clarity, and Carat Weight. Together, they determine the beauty and rarity of the stone.

Cut

The cut determines how light travels through the diamond. A precisely cut stone reflects light internally, producing brilliance, fire, and sparkle.

Color

Diamond color is graded from D (colorless) to Z (noticeable color). The most valued diamonds appear colorless, allowing light to pass through the stone with exceptional clarity.

Clarity

Clarity refers to the natural characteristics formed within the diamond during its creation. These internal and external features are evaluated under magnification.

Carat Weight

Carat measures the weight of a diamond. While larger diamonds are rarer, beauty is not defined by size alone. A well-cut diamond of any carat weight can display remarkable brilliance.

Cut for light. Chosen for beauty.

A diamond reveals its brilliance through the precision of its cut and the careful selection of the stone.School introduces the essential principles that define a diamond’s brilliance, rarity, and enduring value.

Diamond Shapes

Expressions of individual style

The shape of a diamond influences both its character and the way it reflects light. Each cut offers its own distinct personality.

Asscher

A square step-cut diamond known for its architectural symmetry and remarkable depth.

Brilliant (Round)

The most iconic diamond cut, designed to maximize brilliance and sparkle.

Oval

An elongated shape that combines exceptional brilliance with elegant proportions.

Cushion

Rounded corners and larger facets create a romantic and luminous appearance.

Pear

A graceful silhouette that combines round brilliance with a tapered point.

Princess

A contemporary square cut known for its clean geometry and vibrant sparkle.skilled craftsmen to reveal the brilliance hidden within.

Each natural diamond is therefore a rare geological treasure formed long before human history began.

Billions of years in the making

A natural diamond is the result of immense time, pressure, and geological transformation an extraordinary creation shaped deep within the earth.School introduces the essential principles that define a diamond’s brilliance, rarity, and enduring value.

Diamond Carat Size Guide

Understanding size and proportion

Carat describes the weight of a diamond, though the visible size of a stone also depends on its proportions and cut quality.

As a general reference:

0.30 Carat — delicate and refined

0.50 Carat — balanced and classic

0.75 Carat — noticeable brilliance

1.00 Carat — an iconic diamond milestone

A beautifully cut diamond can often appear larger and more brilliant than a heavier stone with less precise proportions.

Our Clarity Standards

At Orrling, every diamond is graded with precision, integrity, and deep expertise. When a stone lies on the threshold between two clarity grades, we deliberately choose the more conservative assessment. We never overstate a diamond’s clarity—our standards ensure that each grade faithfully reflects the stone’s true character

Diamond Education

Diamond Clarity Chart

Diamond inclusions are natural characteristics formed within the stone. At Orrling, we carefully select diamonds that appear beautifully clean to the naked eye, choosing only stones within the FL, IF, VVS1, VVS2, VS1 and VS2 clarity ranges.

These standards apply exclusively to individually certified engagement diamonds set in selected Orrling ring designs.

Confidence in every detail

A high-quality diamond is accompanied by an independent grading report from a respected gemological authority such as the Gemological Institute of America (GIA).

All diamonds over 0.30 carats are delivered with a certification, ensuring their authenticity and quality. Certificates may be issued by internationally recognized laboratories including GIA, HRD Antwerp, or IGI.

These certificates verify the diamond’s key characteristics cut, color, clarity, and carat weight providing full transparency and confidence when selecting your stone. The certification details are clearly displayed during the purchase process, allowing you to review the diamond’s grading information before completing your order.

Diamond Fluorescence

Fluorescence is a natural characteristic found in some diamonds, where the stone emits a soft glow most often blue when exposed to ultraviolet (UV) light. This subtle effect is caused by trace elements within the diamond’s crystal structure interacting with UV radiation.

Fluorescence is graded from None to Very Strong, depending on its intensity. In most diamonds it has little visible impact, though in certain cases it can influence how the diamond appears in different lighting conditions.

In diamonds with slightly lower colour grades, gentle fluorescence can soften yellow tones and make the stone appear whiter. In very high colour diamonds, stronger fluorescence may occasionally create a faint hazy appearance in bright light.

Because of these perceptions, diamonds with strong fluorescence may be valued slightly differently in the market. Ultimately, fluorescence is simply one of many natural qualities to consider alongside the 4Cs—Cut, Colour, Clarity and Carat.

Like every detail within a diamond, fluorescence reveals another layer of nature’s craftsmanship adding quiet character to one of the world’s most extraordinary gemstones.

Natural Diamonds

Our philosophy

At Orrling Jewellery we work exclusively with natural diamonds formed deep within the earth over billions of years.

In recent years, lab-grown diamonds have entered the market. These stones are produced in laboratory environments that replicate the natural conditions in which diamonds form. While they share certain physical characteristics with natural diamonds, they are widely considered man-made synthetic gemstones.

For us, the enduring value of a diamond lies in its natural origin, rarity, and history. A natural diamond carries a story written over geological time something no laboratory process can replicate.

For this reason, Orrling Jewellery does not use or sell lab-grown diamonds.

Responsible Sourcing & Ethical Diamonds

Integrity in every stone

At Orrling Jewellery, responsible sourcing is fundamental to our philosophy.

We work with suppliers who adhere to international standards designed to ensure diamonds are obtained through legitimate and ethical channels.

One of the most important global initiatives is the Kimberley Process Certification Scheme, established through cooperation between governments, the diamond industry, and civil society organizations.

The Kimberley Process requires that rough diamonds be accompanied by government-validated certificates confirming that they originate from conflict-free sources.

Reflections

Diamond Proportions & Light Performance

The science of brilliance

Beyond the 4Cs, the proportions of a diamond determine how effectively it reflects light.

A well-proportioned diamond allows light to enter the stone, reflect internally, and return through the crown. This creates the visual elements that define a diamond’s beauty:

Brilliance — white light reflected from the stone

A Designer’s Perspective

“A diamond should never compete with the design that holds it.

The role of the ring is to elevate the stone—quietly, precisely, and with lasting elegance.”

— Håkan Orrling

At Orrling Jewellery, each ring is designed with balance and restraint so the diamond remains the natural focal point.

The Beginning of a Ring

Understanding a diamond is the first step toward choosing a piece that will be worn and treasured for a lifetime.

Every diamond tells a story shaped by nature and refined through craftsmanship. When thoughtfully selected, it becomes more than a gemstone — it becomes a symbol of a moment and a lasting connection.

At Orrling Jewellery, each ring is created to honor that meaning through carefully selected natural diamonds and timeless design.

Your journey with a diamond begins with understanding.

The next step is discovering the ring that reflects your story.

Fire — flashes of spectral color

Scintillation — sparkle as the diamond moves

Ring Settings

Framing the diamond

The setting secures the diamond while shaping the overall design of the ring.

Solitaire

A single diamond presented in its purest and most timeless form.

Halo

A circle of smaller diamonds surrounding the center stone, enhancing brilliance.

Pavé

Small diamonds set closely along the band to create refined sparkle.

Bezel

A smooth metal rim surrounding the diamond, offering a modern aesthetic and additional protection.

Choosing a Diamond

A balance of beauty

Selecting a diamond often comes down to achieving the right balance between cut, color, clarity, and carat weight.

Many experts recommend prioritizing cut quality, as this determines the brilliance and sparkle of the stone. From there, personal style guides the choice of shape and setting.

Caring for Your Diamond

Preserving its brilliance

Diamonds are among the hardest natural materials on earth, yet they benefit from proper care.

Cleaning with warm water, mild soap, and a soft brush helps maintain their brilliance. Periodic professional inspections ensure the setting remains secure.

With thoughtful care, a diamond can retain its beauty for generations.

Speak With A Diamond Expert

Orrling’s diamond specialists are here to guide you as you begin your engagement ring journey—offering clarity on the 4Cs, helping you explore our ring designs, or assisting you in creating a bespoke piece crafted just for you.

Frequently asked questions

Diamond clarity reflects the purity and rarity of a stone, determined by how easily its natural characteristics can be seen under 10x magnification. A diamond is considered flawless when no inclusions (internal features) or blemishes (surface imperfections) are visible at this level of inspection. At Orrling, we select only an exceptional fraction of the world’s gem-grade diamonds—approximately the top 0.04%.

The highest clarity grade is FL, meaning flawless. For a deeper understanding of clarity and to view our clarity chart, explore our Orrling Diamond Guide.

Diamond clarity grades indicate a stone’s purity and the presence or absence of visible inclusions when viewed under 10x magnification. Below is the GIA clarity scale, used throughout the industry. Orrling accepts only diamonds within the FL, IF, VVS1, VVS2, VS1 and VS2 ranges.

FL

Flawless—no inclusions or blemishes visible under 10x magnification.

IF

Internally Flawless—no internal inclusions under 10x; only minor surface features.

VVS1 / VVS2

Very, Very Slightly Included—extremely small inclusions that are difficult to detect.

VS1 / VS2

Very Slightly Included—minor inclusions, still small and not easily seen without magnification.

SI1 / SI2

Slightly Included—noticeable inclusions under 10x but often not visible to the naked eye.

I1 / I2 / I3

Included—more noticeable inclusions, which may affect transparency and brilliance.

Clarity describes a diamond’s purity and the visibility of natural inclusions under 10x magnification.

Color refers to the subtle body tint found in white diamonds, ranging from completely colorless to slightly warm hues.

Clarity measures the purity of a diamond and how visible its internal and external features are under 10x magnification.

Cut evaluates how a diamond’s proportions, symmetry and polish influence the way it reflects and returns light—ultimately determining its sparkle.