The Journal

Notes on diamonds, jewellery and design from the Buy Fine Diamonds team.

Lab-grown vs natural diamonds: a 2026 buyer’s guide

The chemistry is identical, the cost is not. What every modern buyer should weigh before choosing a centre stone.

A solitaire is not the only answer. A guide to settings - solitaire, halo, three-stone, vintage - and which shapes they suit.

Cut, colour, clarity, carat. Most people get the rank order wrong. Here’s how the trade does it.