Continental Jewellers · Education
Knowledge Is the Finest Form of Confidence.
Everything you need to buy gemstones and jewellery with clarity, confidence and no regrets.
Continental Jewellers · Interactive
A Gemstone Rewards a Second Look
The first glance belongs to colour. The second reveals character. Follow the light across a polished facet, discover what lies beneath the surface, and learn the questions that turn admiration into understanding. At Continental, we believe choosing a gemstone begins with knowing how to look.
Continental Jewellers / The cutter's perspective
From Rough to Remarkable
Before a gemstone catches the light, someone must decide what to preserve. Explore the journey, discover the character of a cut, and imagine where it might belong in your life.
The Diamond 4Cs
Understanding What You Are Buying
The Gemological Institute of America established the 4Cs as the universal language for describing diamond quality. Understanding them protects you — and helps you spend wisely.
Cut
The most important of the 4Cs. Cut determines how a diamond interacts with light — its brilliance, fire and scintillation. A well-cut stone of modest colour will outshine a poorly cut stone of exceptional colour. GIA grades cut from Excellent to Poor.
Colour
Diamond colour is graded on a scale from D (colourless) to Z (light yellow or brown). The difference between adjacent grades is subtle to the naked eye, but significant in price. For most settings, G–H offers excellent value with near-colourless appearance.
Clarity
Clarity refers to the presence of internal inclusions or external blemishes. GIA grades range from Flawless to Included. Most inclusions are invisible to the naked eye — an eye-clean VS2 or SI1 offers excellent value without visible compromise.
Carat Weight
Carat is a measure of weight, not size. Two diamonds of equal carat weight can appear very different in size depending on their cut proportions. Price increases disproportionately at key thresholds — 0.5ct, 1ct, 2ct — so a 0.95ct stone can offer significant savings over a 1.00ct.
The GIA (Gemological Institute of America) is the world's foremost authority on gemstone grading. A GIA certificate is the most trusted form of independent verification for any diamond or coloured stone.
Natural vs Laboratory-Grown
An Honest Comparison
Laboratory-grown stones are chemically identical to natural ones. The difference is origin, rarity and long-term value.
Natural Stones
Formed over millions of years under extreme geological conditions. Their rarity is intrinsic — no two are identical. Natural stones from exceptional origins (Burmese rubies, Ceylon sapphires, Colombian emeralds) carry provenance that laboratory stones cannot replicate. They tend to hold or appreciate in value over time.
Laboratory-Grown Stones
Created in weeks using controlled processes that replicate natural conditions. Chemically and optically identical to natural stones. Significantly less expensive — often 50–90% lower for diamonds. Appropriate for everyday jewellery where budget matters more than long-term value or rarity.
Our Position
Continental Jewellers works exclusively with natural stones. We believe in the irreplaceable character of a stone formed by the earth — and in the honest disclosure of what you are buying. We will always tell you exactly what a stone is and where it came from.
Gemstone Certification
Why Certificates Matter
A gemstone certificate from an independent laboratory is your assurance that what you are buying is what you are told it is. For significant purchases, always insist on a certificate from a recognised laboratory.
GIA
Gemological Institute of America
The global benchmark. Trusted for diamonds and coloured stones worldwide.
AGL
American Gemological Laboratories
Highly respected for coloured stone origin determination and treatment disclosure.
Gübelin
Gübelin Gem Lab
Swiss laboratory renowned for coloured stone origin reports, particularly for rubies, sapphires and emeralds.
SSEF
Swiss Gemmological Institute
Authoritative on coloured stone origin and treatment, particularly for Burmese and Ceylon material.
Jewellery Settings
How a Stone Is Held
The setting determines how a stone is secured, how much light it receives, and how the finished piece feels to wear. Each setting type has strengths and trade-offs.
Prong / Claw
Metal claws grip the stone at its girdle, maximising light exposure and brilliance. The most common setting for solitaire rings. Vulnerable to snagging; requires periodic inspection.
Bezel
A continuous metal rim encircles the stone. Highly protective — ideal for active wearers and softer stones. Slightly reduces light entry compared to prong settings.
Pavé
Small stones set closely together with minimal metal visible, creating a surface of continuous brilliance. Used for halos, bands and accent work.
Channel
Stones set in a row between two parallel metal walls. Clean, modern, and protective. Common in wedding bands and eternity rings.
Halo
A central stone surrounded by a ring of smaller stones, amplifying apparent size and brilliance. The setting style of our Zambian emerald ring.
Tension
The stone appears suspended between two metal arms held by compression. Dramatic and contemporary. Requires precise engineering and limits future resizing.
Precious Metals
Choosing the Right Metal
18k Yellow Gold
75% pure gold alloyed with copper and silver. Warm, classic, and the traditional choice for coloured stone jewellery. Slightly softer than 14k — develops a gentle patina over time.
18k White Gold
Yellow gold alloyed with white metals (typically palladium) and rhodium-plated for a bright white finish. The rhodium plating wears over time and requires periodic re-plating.
Platinum
Naturally white, extremely durable, and hypoallergenic. The premium choice for diamond jewellery. Heavier than gold and develops a satin patina rather than scratching.
Rose Gold
Yellow gold alloyed with a higher proportion of copper, producing a warm pink tone. Fashionable and flattering against most skin tones. The copper content makes it slightly harder than yellow gold.
Buying Intelligently
Seven Things to Know Before You Buy
- 01
Always ask for a certificate from an independent laboratory — not a certificate issued by the seller.
- 02
Understand the difference between treatment disclosure and deception. Heat treatment of sapphires and rubies is industry-standard and acceptable when disclosed. Fracture-filling of emeralds is common but must be disclosed.
- 03
For coloured stones, origin matters as much as quality. A Burmese ruby commands a premium over a Thai ruby of identical appearance.
- 04
Buy the best cut you can afford before prioritising carat weight. A smaller, well-cut stone will always outperform a larger, poorly cut one.
- 05
Understand what you are paying for. Price per carat increases non-linearly — a 2ct stone costs significantly more than twice the price of a 1ct stone of equal quality.
- 06
Ask about the return and resizing policy before purchasing. A reputable jeweller will have clear, fair terms.
- 07
If something feels rushed or the price seems too good to be true, it usually is. Exceptional stones are rare. Exceptional value without a reason is rarer still.
Ready to Apply What You Know?
Browse our gemstone library or begin a bespoke commission with confidence.