Frequently asked questions

The 4Cs are Cut, Colour, Clarity, and Carat weight. Cut is the most important: a well-cut stone reflects light beautifully regardless of the other factors. Colour grades run from D (colourless) to Z (yellow tint) — we typically recommend G–H for a white look at a fair price. Clarity measures inclusions; VS1–VS2 is eye-clean for most people. Carat is weight, not size — a well-cut 0.90ct can look larger than a poorly cut 1.00ct.

Both GIA (Gemological Institute of America) and IGI (International Gemological Institute) are reputable independent laboratories. GIA is the oldest and most widely recognised — its grading standards are considered the most conservative. IGI grades lab-grown diamonds extensively and is the dominant certifier in that market. For natural diamonds, we recommend GIA; for lab-grown, IGI is excellent and widely accepted.

Yes. A lab-grown diamond is chemically, physically, and optically identical to a mined diamond. The only difference is origin. A gemologist cannot tell them apart without specialist equipment. Lab-grown diamonds typically cost 50–70% less than equivalent mined stones, which means you can get a significantly larger or higher quality stone for the same budget.

Lab-grown diamond prices have fallen significantly over the last few years as production has scaled up. We recommend thinking of any diamond purchase as jewellery — buy a stone you love and wear it. An IGI-certified lab-grown diamond in a hallmarked Diamond Hub ring will always have clear, documented provenance and value.

Three methods work well: (1) Borrow one of her existing rings and trace the inner circle onto paper — bring it to us and we'll measure it. (2) Ask a close friend or family member she might have told. (3) Order in the most common size (L–M for women in the UK) and resize it afterwards — resizing is free with us and takes 1–2 weeks. We'd rather you propose with a ring that's slightly off than delay the moment.

Ignore the "two months' salary" rule — it was invented by a diamond marketing campaign in the 1940s. The right budget is one that feels comfortable to you. Our rings start from under £1,000. Most customers spend between £1,500 and £4,000. Book a free consultation and we'll show you exactly what different budgets look like in practice, with real stones.

In-stock rings in standard sizes ship within 2–3 working days. Specific size or metal combinations: from 2 weeks. Bespoke rings: from 2 weeks from design approval. If you have a hard deadline, tell us upfront — we'll work backwards and tell you exactly what's achievable.

Yes — any ring in our collection can be made in a different metal, a different stone shape, or with different carat weight. Book a consultation and we'll talk through what's possible for the specific ring you're interested in.

Bespoke rings start from around £1,200 — roughly the same as buying a ready-made ring from us, because we don't charge a design premium for most commissions. We'll give you a fixed quote after the first consultation, with no obligation to proceed.

No. Most people come in with Pinterest screenshots, a vague sense of "something elegant," or simply the knowledge that they want to propose. That's enough. You'll leave the consultation with a clear direction and a quote, even if you came in with nothing.

Yes, and we do this regularly. Bring the piece to our showroom and we'll assess the stone and advise on the best way to reset it. We treat heirloom work with particular care — these are irreplaceable pieces.

Gold prices move daily with the commodity market. A fixed online price would either be out of date or inflated with a buffer. Instead, we price at the current gold rate plus craftsmanship — which is genuinely fairer. WhatsApp us with the piece you're interested in and we'll send a live quote within a few hours.

916 refers to 91.6% pure gold — the international standard for 22 karat gold. 22K is the standard for traditional Asian gold jewellery because it gives a rich, deep yellow colour and good wearability. All our 22K pieces are hallmarked by the UK Assay Office.

Yes — completely. A lab-grown diamond is chemically, physically, and optically identical to a mined diamond. The only difference is origin. A gemologist cannot distinguish them without specialist equipment, and they are graded by the same laboratories (GIA and IGI) to the same standards.

Diamond itself is the hardest natural substance on earth and will not scratch, chip, or dull with everyday wear. The setting is what needs attention over time — we recommend an annual check to ensure claws are secure. Our lifetime warranty covers claw re-tipping, stone tightening, and re-polishing at no charge, so the ring will always look its best.

All jewellery depreciates when sold second-hand — whether from a luxury brand, a high-street jeweller, or us. Mined diamonds retain more resale value than lab-grown because supply is finite. That said, because lab-grown stones cost significantly less upfront, you're starting from a lower base. We'd encourage you to think of a diamond ring as something you love and wear — not a financial investment. Our rings come with full IGI/GIA certification and UK hallmarking, which helps document provenance and value.

Three reasons: (1) We source diamonds direct from cutters and wholesalers — there are no middlemen adding margins between the mine and your finger. (2) We don't carry expensive high-street retail space. (3) Every ring is made to order, so we don't tie up capital in warehoused stock. The diamonds themselves and the hallmarking standard are identical to what you'd find on the high street. You're paying for the stone and the craftsmanship — not for a brand name or a shop window on Oxford Street.

Yes. For bespoke pieces, you approve a CAD render before anything is made — and we can produce a wax or resin model for significant commissions so you can see the ring on your hand. For ready-made rings, visit our Leicester or London showroom to try them on. You're welcome to book a consultation with no obligation to purchase on the day.

In-stock, unmodified rings can be returned within 30 days for a full refund. Bespoke and customised pieces are made specifically for you and cannot be returned unless there is a manufacturing defect — in which case we will remake or refund in full. If you're unsure about size or style, we recommend visiting a showroom before ordering.

Yes — every Diamond Hub piece comes with a lifetime warranty covering manufacturing defects, stone tightening, claw re-tipping, and professional polishing. This does not cover accidental damage, loss of stones due to impact, or wear from improper care. We also offer a free annual service check-up. We recommend insuring your ring separately through your home contents policy.

In most cases, yes. Plain metal bands and most solitaires can be resized by 1–2 sizes up or down. Rings with full pavé, channel-set stones, or tension settings are more restricted and sometimes cannot be changed without affecting the design — we'll advise you on this before you order. Our first resize is free within 12 months of purchase.

All UK orders are dispatched via Royal Mail Special Delivery — fully insured for the value of the piece, next-day tracked, and signature required on delivery. We never leave jewellery without a signature. Delivery is free on every order, with no minimum spend.

In-stock, unmodified rings can be returned within 30 days for a full refund, or exchanged for a different size. If the ring just needs resizing, we'll do that free of charge. Bespoke or personalised pieces cannot be returned unless faulty.

Yes, to select countries including the EU, US, Canada, Australia, and UAE. International shipments are fully insured via DHL Express or FedEx. Import duties and taxes are the buyer's responsibility — contact us before ordering for a full cost breakdown.

Our lifetime warranty covers manufacturing defects, stone tightening, rhodium re-plating (white gold), and professional cleaning — all free, for life. It doesn't cover accidental damage or normal wear. We also offer a free annual service check-up.

Soak in warm water with a drop of washing-up liquid for 10–15 minutes, then gently scrub with a soft toothbrush. Rinse and dry with a lint-free cloth. Avoid ultrasonic cleaners for rings with pavé settings. Don't wear your ring in chlorinated pools or when applying hand cream.

Yes, absolutely. Our warranty covers manufacturing defects but not loss, theft, or accidental damage. Most home contents policies can be extended to cover jewellery. We can provide a valuation certificate for insurance purposes — ask at the time of purchase.