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An Amazing Discovery In Baltic Amber! Like something straight out of Jurassic Park! This incredible amber piece contains not one, BUT TWO insect inclusions! Most likely, these are two crane flies often mistaken for mosquitoes. Millions of years ago, these insects became trapped in sticky tree resin. Over time, the resin fossilised and hardened into what we now know as amber. This particular piece is Baltic amber, estimated to be around 40–50 million years old and found around the Baltic region, including Russia, Poland, Lithuania, and Latvia. Other famous amber deposits include Mexico, the Dominican Republic, Myanmar, and the Isle of Wight here in the UK. Some of the oldest known amber deposits date back over 300 million years! Nature’s time capsules never fail to amaze! If you have any questions about Baltic amber or maybe have a query about a diamond or gemstone, then feel free to get in touch today and our expert team will be happy to help you.

An Incredible Discovery of a Triangular Iron-Bearing Inclusion Within a Natural Diamond! A striking triangular feature was observed in a natural diamond, captured under the microscope in our London laboratory. Inclusions like this are far more than blemishes: they are a record of the extraordinary conditions under which the crystal grew, and they are one of the most powerful tools we have for confirming that a stone is natural. Table of ContentsAn Incredible Discovery of a Triangular Iron-Bearing Inclusion Within a Natural Diamond!What We Saw Under the MicroscopeWhy Is the Inclusion Triangular?What Causes the Orangey-Brown Colour?Why Inclusions Matter in a Natural DiamondOther Hidden Wonders Inside DiamondsHave Your Natural Diamond Examined What We Saw Under the Microscope At first glance the stone looked like any other well-cut diamond. At 40x magnification, however, a sharply defined, orangey-brown triangle appeared beneath the table facet, its three sides perfectly straight and its colour in vivid contrast to the colourless crystal around it. The image above shows exactly what our gemmologist saw through the eyepiece. Why Is the Inclusion Triangular? This triangle reflects the diamond’s natural octahedral growth structure within its cubic crystal system. A diamond octahedron is made up of eight triangular faces, and as the crystal grew layer by layer, anything trapped between those layers took on the same three-sided outline. Triangular shapes are therefore a signature of natural growth, seen in features such as trigons on rough crystal faces and in the geometry of many included crystals. Laboratory-grown diamonds grow in a very different way. HPHT (high pressure, high temperature) crystals develop cube and octahedral faces together, while CVD (chemical vapour deposition) material grows in flat layers, so their inclusions and growth patterns look distinctly different under magnification. What Causes the Orangey-Brown Colour? The orangey-brown colour is caused by a trapped iron-bearing mineral inclusion that has naturally altered over time, creating its distinctive rusty appearance instead of remaining clear. Just as iron rusts when exposed to air and moisture, iron-rich minerals trapped in a diamond can oxidise along tiny fractures that reach the surface, staining the feature a warm brown. Iron-bearing minerals are relatively common guests inside a natural diamond. Garnet, chromite, olivine and various sulphides are all found as inclusions and, because they formed at the same time as their host 150 kilometres or more below the Earth’s surface, they give geologists a rare glimpse of the deep mantle. Why Inclusions Matter in a Natural Diamond Proof of origin: included crystals and growth features confirm the stone is natural rather than laboratory grown. Clarity grading: the size, number, position and visibility of inclusions determine the clarity grade on a report, from Flawless down to Included. Identification: an inclusion is a fingerprint that is unique to one stone, which is how a diamond can be matched to its report years later. Durability: large inclusions that reach the surface or sit near the girdle can make a stone more vulnerable to chipping. The Gemological Institute of America (GIA) grades clarity on the same 11-grade scale we use at E.D.R, and an inclusion like this one would be plotted on the stone’s clarity diagram. Other Hidden Wonders Inside Diamonds This is just one of the many hidden wonders that can exist within diamonds. Clouds of microscopic pinpoints, feathers that flash like tiny mirrors, green garnets, and even smaller diamonds trapped inside larger ones have all passed across our microscope stage. Many natural stones also reveal a hidden glow under ultraviolet light, which we explore in our article on fluorescence in diamonds. If you are curious about how inclusions shape value, our guides to the 4Cs and to diamond shape and cut explain how clarity fits alongside colour, cut and carat weight, and how a laboratory-grown diamond is separated from a natural one. Have Your Natural Diamond Examined Got a question about any of your diamonds? Whether you want confirmation that a stone is natural, a full grading report, or simply to see what is hiding inside your own gem, get in touch today and we’ll be happy to assist you in finding the right solution for you!

A solitaire engagement ring is a timelessly elegant and classically stylish ring for any bride-to-be. It’s one of the most popular designs of engagement rings and is a wonderful way to show off a spectacular diamond. Solitaire rings are much more minimalist and clean than intricate vintage or modern rings. And you know what they say – sometimes simple is best! Table of ContentsWhat Is a Solitaire Engagement Ring?Pros and Cons of a Solitaire Engagement RingProsConsChoosing the Diamond for Your Solitaire Engagement RingSettings, Metals and Band StylesWhy an Independent Report Matters What Is a Solitaire Engagement Ring? A solitaire engagement ring is a type of ring that comes with one single gemstone in the centre. There are no other gemstones around the main stone and the band is usually plain with no additional diamonds. It’s the style that springs to mind for most people when they picture an engagement ring. The design dates back to 1886, when Tiffany & Co. introduced the six-claw setting that lifts the diamond above the band so that light can enter from every angle. More than a century later, that basic idea remains the best-selling engagement ring style in the world. Pros and Cons of a Solitaire Engagement Ring If you’re wondering whether this is the right choice for you or your partner, it’s best to consider the pros and cons. While it’s difficult to find anything negative to say about such a stunning piece of jewellery, solitaire rings aren’t the best option for everyone. Pros The style is timeless and will never go out of fashion or look dated. Because they’re always in fashion, they’re easy to pass on through the family. Their simple design makes them easy to pair with wedding bands. You can change the ring’s look depending on the type of rings you pair or stack it with. With no side stones competing for attention, your budget goes entirely into the centre diamond. Cons Their simple design can be too basic and result in a ring that lacks personality. (You can overcome this by choosing a band with shoulder diamonds or an engraved design.) Unless you’ve got a lot of money to spend on a large diamond, a single stone can look small on its own. (A slim band, a halo-free claw setting and a well-cut stone all help a diamond look bigger.) Because the stone sits proud of the band, a high-set solitaire can catch on clothing and needs regular claw checks. Choosing the Diamond for Your Solitaire Engagement Ring With a solitaire there is nowhere for a diamond to hide, so the quality of the centre stone matters more than in any other style. Start with the 4Cs – carat, colour, clarity and cut – and prioritise cut above everything else, as it controls the sparkle you see across the room. Round brilliants are the classic choice, but ovals, cushions, pears and emerald cuts all work beautifully as single stones and can look larger per carat than a round. If you are considering a coloured centre stone, our guide to coloured diamonds explains how fancy colours are graded. Settings, Metals and Band Styles Four-claw setting: shows the most diamond and gives a square, modern outline. Six-claw setting: the traditional Tiffany-style look; more secure and emphasises the round shape. Bezel setting: a metal rim surrounds the stone, offering maximum protection for active lifestyles. Cathedral and knife-edge bands: add architectural interest without adding extra stones. Platinum and 18ct white gold suit colourless diamonds (D–F), while yellow or rose gold flatters warmer stones (G–K) and can make a slightly tinted diamond appear whiter by contrast. Many couples also choose a laboratory-grown diamond to achieve a larger stone for the same budget. Why an Independent Report Matters Because the single diamond is the entire ring, make sure it comes with a grading report from an independent laboratory rather than relying on a retailer’s own description. A report confirms the stone is natural (or laboratory grown), states its 4Cs and notes any treatments. The Gemological Institute of America (GIA) created the grading scale used worldwide, and at E.D.R – European Diamond & Gemstone Reports we grade to the same standards. If you have inherited a solitaire engagement ring or bought one second-hand, a Jewellery Card Report will verify the stone, and an insurance valuation will ensure it is properly covered. Contact our London laboratory to book an appointment.