Engagement rings

Engagement Rings

The moment when you present, or receive, the perfect engagement ring can seem like a dream, but the journey to get there isn’t always the clearest.

When you first begin your ring shopping journey you will start to see all different kinds of terms, colour grading scales, clarity scales, carats, etc. But not to worry, because the team at Cope Jewellers has created an easy and simple guide to help you get started, and make that romantic dream a reality.

For any further advice, our team is always happy to help. Visit us in-store, drop us an email or give us a call, and we will do our best to give you a smooth experience.

The first, and most important, piece of information you will see and receive is related to the “4 c’s of diamonds”: Colour, clarity, cut and carat.

The main colour grading scales you will see used by jewellers and gemologists, is the “GIA colour grading scale”.

GIA stands for the “Gemological Institute Of America”, and they have set most of the standards we use today to judge and price diamonds!

The GIA is an easy one to understand: Starting at “D” (D being the highest grade possible and, therefore the rarest and most expensive) and ending at “Z”.

“D” grade diamonds are colourless, and considered to be the best.
Most jewellers, such as Cope’s, offer diamonds graded between “D” and “H”, which are considered to be near colourless, and look incredible without costing a small fortune.

Anything “K” or below, up until “Z” is categorised under different stages of yellow, from faint to light.

A diamond's clarity is determined by how many imperfections it has. The less visible damage a diamond features, the more expensive and rare it is. Diamond blemishes are external flaws, whilst diamond inclusions are internal flaws.

Similarly to colour, the standard guide for grading a diamond's clarity is the “GIA clarity grading scale”. The scale ranges from “I” (included) to “FL” (flawless).

“FL” diamonds are the rarest and most expensive, and are considered to be flawless. The next grade is “IF”, internally flawless, which means they have no visible inclusions.

“VVS1/VVS2” stands for ‘very very slight inclusions’; in the same vein “VS1/VS2” are ‘very slight inclusions’.
“SI1/SI2” have ‘slight inclusions’, and the last grade is “I1”, ‘inclusion’.

One of the most important yet overlooked aspects of buying a diamond (or any gemstone!), is choosing the right cut. The cut refers to the angles and proportions of a diamond; and different cuts can be used to enhance different features of the stone.

Amongst all the different types, there is the timelessly classic “brilliant cut”, aptly named as it enhances a stones natural brilliance; “princess cut”, which offers a beautifully modern square shape; “oval cut”, a softer more unique take on the round cut; and “pear cut”, a style that is becoming more and more popular.

Finally, the term you may be most familiar with already, ‘carat’. Carat refers to the weight of the diamond.

A 6.5mm brilliant cut diamond is, roughly, 1 carat! Y
ou may see diamond sizes be discussed in ‘points’. Don’t let this confuse you, 1 carat is equal to 100 points, so a diamond that is 0.25 of a carat is 25 points.

All of the aspects we have detailed go into pricing a ring and its diamond. An incredibly heavy diamond may be expensive, but if it has a low colour and clarity grading, its value will decrease.

On the flip side, a small diamond ring can be quite costly if it is of a high colour and clarity grade. Knowing what aspects you value the most, is how you can compromise and adjust to get your perfect ring within your budget.

Cope Jewellers was the only place to go to for the perfect engagement ring. With a bespoke brief in mind, Andrew and his team met every expectation. They helped me design the shank, hand pick the best stones and refine each tip so that it fulfilled my fiancées dream ring. Now engaged I can confirm that we couldn't be happier with Cope Jewellers service and expertise offered on this unique journey.
Thank you so much!

Gemstones have carried important values throughout history, from myths and legends to traditions and trades. Despite their varied meanings and origins, the one thing all gemstones have in common is their beauty.

Alongside the timeless diamond, amethyst gemstones are quite popular, due to their hypnotising purple hues. Aquamarine and sapphires are classic choices, adding that “something blue” in a subtle, yet mesmerising way.

Our full collection is available to browse in-store.

Click the button below to learn more about the different types of gemstones available.

Stone settings and styles go hand-in-hand.
The setting refers to how the gemstone is set, or mounted, into the band. There are many types of stone settings, all of which add something different to the ring.

The settings which you are more likely to be familiar with include “claw settings”, which uses metal claws to hold the stone in place and “channel settings”, sometimes seen in Wedding and Eternity rings.

Style refers to the overall design of the ring, specific settings are used to create and enhance particular styles.

A “Solitaire” styled ring refers to a ring in which there is a single gemstone or diamond. This style is often paired with the claw setting. A “Halo” style is seen when a central, large, stone is surrounded by smaller stones.

“Trilogy” or “three-stone” styled rings use three stones to represent the past, the present and the future.

Claw setting

Channel setting

Bezel or Rub-Over setting

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Engagement Rings

Engagement Rings

The 4c's of Diamonds

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Clarity

Cut

Carat

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Rolex Submariner Date 41 on Oyster bracelet

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Rolex Submariner Date 41 on Oyster bracelet

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TAG HEUER LINK

Cope Jewellers

Popular Products

Engagement Rings

Engagement Rings

The 4c's of Diamonds

Colour

Clarity

Cut

Carat

CELESTE & ED

Gemstones

Settings & Styles

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