The 6Cs - Your guide to buying diamonds Many people are confused about how diamonds are priced. The reason for this is that asking for the price of a diamond is like asking for the price of a house! A real estate agent can’t quote you a price for a house without knowing its size, condition, location, etc. This process is the same one used when buying a diamond. A diamond’s beauty, rarity, and price depend on the interplay of all the 6Cs—cut, clarity, carat, colour, confidence and creativity.

The first 4Cs are used throughout the world to classify the rarity of diamonds. Diamonds with the combination of the highest 4C ratings are more rare and, consequently, more expensive. No one C is more important than another in terms of beauty and it is important to note that each of the 4Cs will not diminish in value over time. Once you have established those 4C characteristics that are most important to you, we can then begin to show you various options and prices.



Refers to the size which is actually the weight of a diamond. One carat is equivalent to one-fifth of a gram. One carat can also be divided into 100 “points.” A 0.75 carat diamond is the same as 75-points or a 3/4 carat diamond.

Q. A 1-carat diamond costs exactly twice the price of a half-carat diamond, right?

A. Wrong. Since larger diamonds are found less frequently in nature, this places them at the rarest level of the Diamond Quality Chart thus a 1-carat diamond will cost more than twice a 1/2-carat diamond (assuming colour, clarity and cut remain constant).



Refers to the presence of inclusions and/or imperfections within or on the surface of a diamond. Inclusions are natural identifying characteristics such as minerals or fractures, created whilst the diamonds were being formed within volcanic pipes under extremes of heat and pressure. They may look like tiny crystals, clouds or feathers. To view inclusions, jewellers use a magnifying loupe. This allows the qualified diamond evaluator to view a diamond at 10 times its actual size so that inclusions are easier to see. The nature and position of these inclusions affect the grade and value of a diamond.

There are very few flawless diamonds found in nature, thus these diamonds are much more valuable. Inclusions are ranked on a scale of perfection, known as clarity, which was established by the Gemological Institute of America (GIA). This clarity scale, ranges from F (Flawless) to I (Included), and is based on the visibility of inclusions at a magnification of 10x under correct lighting conditions.

Some inclusions can be hidden by a mounting, thus having little effect on the beauty of a diamond. An inclusion in the middle or top of a diamond could impact on the dispersion and brilliance of light. The greater a diamond's clarity, the more brilliant, valuable and rare it is—and the higher it is on the Diamond Quality Chart.


TIP. We supply a variety of clarity grades, the most popular being VS TO SI.



Refers to the degree to which the body-colour of a diamond is transparent. Diamonds range in colour from icy winter whites to warm summer whites. Diamonds are graded on a colour scale established by the Gemological Institute of America (GIA) which ranges from D (colourless) to Z. Slightly tinted diamonds (K–M) are desirable when set in yellow gold. Bright whites (D–J) look stunning set in white gold or platinum.

Colour differences are very subtle and it is very difficult to see the difference between, say, an D and an E. Therefore, colours are graded under controlled lighting conditions and are compared to a master set for accuracy. Truly transparent stones, graded D, treasured for their rarity, are highest on the Diamond Quality Chart. Colour, however, ultimately comes down to personal taste and comfort-price-range. We supply a variety of colour grades.

TIP The most popular colours being G TO I (white) down to J/K (tinted).



Cut refers to shape—round, princess, oval, pear, heart or baguette. Since a round diamond is symmetrical and capable of reflecting nearly all the light that enters, it is the most brilliant of all diamond shapes and follows specific proportional guidelines. Cut also refers to the angles and proportions of a diamond.

A well-cut stone will internally reflect light from one facet to another and disperse and reflect it through the top of the diamond, creating a display of fire and brilliance, thereby placing well-cut diamonds higher on the Diamond Quality chart than other deep or shallow-cut diamonds which lose light resulting in darker areas and less brilliance.




The correct ring style or mount can make a diamond appear larger (or smaller) than its actual weight. We can help you to find the right diamond and setting to optimize the beauty of your stone. Our experienced Designers & Qualified Goldsmiths will accurately create your dream ring to suit your personality, lifestyle and price-range, or email us your own sketch or pictures of rings to enable us to understand your preferences and we will design your own unique-style. We then email full colour CAD pictures of 3 personalised styles to suit. As a further guarantee we are also able to send you a final wax sample ring to physically try on your finger prior to casting in platinum or your choice of 18ct yellow or white gold. This way you are assured beforehand that the proportions of the ring suit your hand!

We recommend sending us a colour scan of your hand to assist us to create harmony of balance, & simply answer the preference list under “orders”.



South Africa is still the ultimate diamond source, and with the benefit of internet/email this brings affordable value right to your doorstep. Appointments may also be made for live internet discussions. The Bell group offer over 56 years experience in the diamond and jewellery trade, specializing in quality diamond engagement rings. Their ultimate aim is your complete satisfaction, & to this end they offer a money-back guarantee if you are not entirely satisfied with your purchase*.

All diamonds come with an independent Laboratory Certificate from one of the leading South African laboratories, and all are conflict-free. Grading is as per the GIA Gemological Institute of America’s) Grading system. All precious metals used are guaranteed to be the quality stated. Each diamond is individually checked to ensure compatibility with the setting selected, ensuring the correct balance is reached at arriving at your ultimate dream ring. Each customized piece is quoted accordingly. Payment may be made by international bank transfer. Shipping charges will be quoted individually.