Materials & Craft

Metals, stones and how they wear

The technical layer: what each metal actually does over years of wear, how stones differ, which settings suit which lives, and how to look after the result.

• How are lab-grown diamonds made, and how are they graded?

  How CVD and HPHT grow real diamond in weeks, how gemmological labs prove origin, and how lab-grown grading differs from mined diamond certification.

• How is ring size measured — and can any ring be resized?

  How UK letter ring sizing works, how to measure accurately, and how far a ring can realistically be resized up or down before it becomes a problem.

• How should I clean and care for a bespoke ring?

  Safe home cleaning methods, what to avoid, which stones can't go in an ultrasonic cleaner, and how often to get a bespoke ring professionally checked.

• Platinum or white gold: which should I choose?

  Platinum and 18ct white gold differ in weight, colour longevity, hallmarking and lifetime cost. Here is how the two actually compare for a bespoke piece.

• What are the main ring setting styles?

  A plain-English glossary of ring setting styles—claw, bezel, pavé, channel, tension and more—covering security, wear and cost for each.

• What can I have engraved inside a ring?

  Hand, machine and laser engraving compared for cost, look and durability, plus realistic character counts, fonts, and UK pricing for ring engraving.

• What does 'hypoallergenic' actually mean in jewellery?

  Hypoallergenic has no legal meaning in UK jewellery; only nickel release is regulated. Here is what that covers and which metals are low-risk.

• What is recycled gold — and is it actually better?

  What recycled gold actually guarantees versus Fairtrade Gold and Single Mine Origin, and the honest debate over whether recycling reduces mining demand.

• What is rhodium plating and how often does it need redoing?

  Rhodium plating brightens white gold but wears thin over time. Realistic wear intervals, UK re-plating costs, and why platinum never needs it.

• Which diamond shape should I choose?

  How round, oval, emerald, cushion, pear and other diamond shapes differ in sparkle, spread, inclusion visibility, durability and price per carat.