The 4Cs.
Buying a diamond is one of the most personal decisions you'll make. Here's what actually matters — from a jeweler who wants you to buy well, not just buy big.
The most important C. Cut determines how light bounces through a diamond — it's what gives a stone its fire and brilliance. A poorly-cut 2ct will look duller than a masterfully-cut 1ct.
Graded D (colorless) to Z (light yellow). For most settings, G–H is the sweet spot — visually white with meaningful savings over D.
How free the stone is from internal inclusions. VS1–VS2 are eye-clean and dramatically less expensive than flawless grades.
Weight, not size. A 1ct round is ~6.5mm across. Bigger isn't better — proportion is.
Lab-grown vs. natural
Chemically, physically, and optically identical to earth-mined diamonds. Grown in weeks under conditions that mirror the earth's crust. Typically 40–70% less expensive, allowing bigger or higher-quality stones for the same budget.
Formed over billions of years, each with a unique provenance and story. Traditional store of value with a more established resale market. Every Skylar Alexa natural stone is conflict-free and certified.