Have your budget planned
What are you looking to spend? This is the necessary starting point (oh, and forget that pre-millenial  adage that it needs to cost at least three-months’ salary). Come with a ballpark price range in mind, on this we base our material and stone selection and you don’t get any unforeseen surprises later on.

Know your diamonds
Know what the ‘4-Cs’ are? No? No problem – read a bit more about the stone of love and how these are graded here. This will help you build toward a more informed decision.

Tell us what she already wears
The design process is where things get interesting and fun. What is it going to look like? A good starting point is the jewellery she already wears (as in, what are her tastes). Think classic or modern,  dainty and sophisticated or a bit more robust. What metals does she prefer? Does she have any allergies? Coming to us with photos of her current jewellery can make this a lot less intimidating and easier to describe. Remember, you want to pick a ring that suits her style, not yours. Here it is also important to give us a good description of her lifestyle – is she super active in terms of sports and working out.

Does she have a design in mind?
Has she hinted at certain styles – perhaps in magazines or on the fingers of friends? Browse styles on Pinterest together (careful to not lose your element of surprise here). Or, get her best friend to dig a bit… Images – whether from Pinterest or photos of actual pieces, help us a lot. We will combine this with the photos of her current jewellery to design a unique piece.  

Know her ring size
If she wears rings, sneak one out of her jewellery box. Make sure you know what finger she wears it on. Measure the inner diameter with a Vernier caliper and send that to us. Or, put it on one of your own fingers and make a pen mark where it sits.

These qualities fall broadly under the four C’s: Colour, Clarity, Cut and Carat weight.

It was only in the middle of the 1900s that a global agreed-on standard was instituted however.

Until the middle of the twentieth century, there was no agreed-upon standard by which diamonds could be judged. GIA created the first, and now globally accepted standard for describing diamonds and today, the 4Cs of Diamond Quality is the universal method for assessing the quality of any diamond, anywhere in the world. Read more here.

What does this the universal language of the four C’s mean for you, the customer? You have the power to understand exactly what quality and value of stone you are buying.

To complete that outfit you need the ideal combination of accessories. Here’s how to choose your jewellery:

1. What is the occasion
   Okay, so this is not (too) unusual, but it is the foundation for creating an ensemble. The earrings you wear to work (subtle, understated, classic) would not necessarily be the same as those you wear for a night on the town (think dangly, more flowey and just a bit louder).
2. Earrings maketh the face
   Speaking of earrings, aside from make-up (which is given, but oh so technical – lookout for a post on matching make-up and jewellery soon) earrings make or break your face. As just how good it looks…Choose carefully and your eyes will pop beautifully. As a rough guide: Take your face shape into account. More hearth-shaped or triangular – straight drop earrings. More oval – look at studs and triangular earrings to show off their cheekbones. 
3. Create balance
   Small little cocktail dress requires dainty earrings and a thin, understated necklaces, bracelets and the like.  If you’re wearing florals or bright colours go for more solid jewellery with cleaner lines. Wearing thick winter coats with boots and snug, heavily-stitched items? Don’t go too intricate and fine in design. 
4. Notes on neckline
   A necklace should compliment the neckline of your dress or top and not fight with it. If you’re wearing a deep V, accentuate your cleavage with (pendant) necklace. If you’re wearing a higher (crew neck style) top, wear something shorter or layer your necklaces. (While rings are our biggest output, we design necklaces, bracelets and all manner of other jewellery to suit your style)
5. Match it up (but don’t)
   Clothing designers and stylists have a deep scientific regard for the colour wheel when it comes to complimenting colours in clothing. According to the colour wheel warm and cool shades blend both ways. To roughly paraphrase the science: Darker blue and green gemstones pop when matched with a orange or yellow outfit. 

BONUS – Diamonds are always a good idea
No really, they go with everything.