The Diamond
Cheat Sheet

The Diamond Cheat Sheet

An illustration of a loose diamond
 
 
If diamonds are a girl’s best friend, why does buying them have to seem so complicated? Whether you’re just starting out on your buying journey or have been comparing stones for months, learning more about this incredible stone is not only useful, but fun as well!
 
 
 
 
Types of Shane Co. Diamonds
We offer natural diamonds, including our Shane Classic diamonds, as well as lab-grown diamonds.
Natural Diamonds
Our natural and conflict-free diamonds are hand-selected at the source. They’re prized for their rarity, and formed deep within the earth over billions of years. Learn more about natural diamonds.
Lab-Grown Diamonds
We offer high-quality lab-grown diamonds cut to maximize sparkle, so you know you’re getting incredible quality. Created with cutting-edge science and technology, these diamonds offer a great value. Learn more about lab-grown diamonds.
 
 
Setting a Budget
Setting a Budget
How much you want to spend on your diamond is up to you! Take into account your current finances, how much you want to spend on your stone, and how much you want to spend on your setting.
We have a few recommendations for getting the most out of your budget:
  • Try a yellow gold setting for a yellow-tinted diamond to make the diamond appear whiter.
  • Oval and marquise shapes help create the illusion of a larger stone.
  • White sapphires are an excellent, cost-effective substitute for a diamond.
  • Lab-grown diamonds often allow for a larger diamond for your budget.
  • Check out sizes slightly smaller than a full-carat diamond, as they typically cost less.
You also don’t have to spend your whole budget at once. We offer ring financing with both our Shane Co. Credit Card and layaway. And, with the best upgrade policy in the industry, you can upgrade your ring at any time.
Learn more about setting a budget with our comprehensive guide.
 
 
The 4Cs of Diamond Quality
The 4Cs of Diamond Quality
The 4Cs are what make a diamond special, and they are the basic characteristics used for classifying diamonds. The 4Cs include cut, clarity, color, and carat (size). Determine which of the 4Cs you want to prioritize, and it can help you narrow down which diamond you love within your budget.
  • Cut: how the stone is cut by a jeweler in order to produce certain shapes and the optimum light reflection
  • Color: where the diamond falls from colorless to yellow-tinted
  • Clarity: the number and intensity of inclusions, or marks, within the stone
  • Carat: the stone’s weight
Visit our 4Cs guide to get an in-depth look and learn more.
 
 
Diamond Certification
Diamond Certification
All of our diamonds come with a special certificate explaining grade, size, authenticity, and other interesting details. Grading with state-of-the-art machines, we use our own internal grading system or other grading labs like GIA or IGI to guarantee the highest-quality diamond.
While there is a set scale for grading diamonds, the grade is ultimately the opinion of the individual grader, and separate graders may in fact grade the same stone differently. That’s one of the reasons why Shane Co. uses several independent grading laboratories in addition to grading all of our stones ourselves. We want to ensure that our own standards are reflective of the global ones.
 
 
Diamond Subjectivity
Diamond Subjectivity
At Shane Co., we have incredibly high standards when it comes to choosing natural and lab-grown diamonds. Unlike other jewelers who buy natural and lab-grown diamonds in bulk, we hand-select and inspect each stone individually to ensure we are offering the most sparkle and shine in every grade of stone. To learn more about the quality of our stones, check out the video below.
 
 
Cut Down on Carat Size
Cut Down on Carat Size
Did you know that you can save a lot of money just by buying a diamond that’s a little under a full carat weight? It’s true! Opting for a .9- or 1.9-carat stone as opposed to a full 1 or 2 carats can end up shaving quite a bit off the price tag, for a negligible difference in appearance. Your diamond will be almost indistinguishable from the full carat size!
 
 
Diamond Shapes
Diamond Shapes
Shane Co. offers 10 stunning stone shapes. Round is the most classic and popular stone shape, but what you choose definitely depends on what kind of a look you’re going for. Fancy shapes, like emerald and oval, offer a unique style that can even give the illusion of a bigger diamond at the same carat weight. Some of the other gorgeous shapes we offer include marquise, princess, and even heart-shaped diamonds — whatever your style is, we have the perfect diamond shape for your ring.
Shane Co. offers 10 stunning stone shapes. Round is the most classic and popular stone shape, but what you choose definitely depends on what kind of a look you’re going for. Fancy shapes, like emerald and oval, offer a unique style that can even give the illusion of a bigger diamond at the same carat weight. Some of the other gorgeous shapes we offer include marquise, princess, and even heart-shaped diamonds — whatever your style is, we have the perfect diamond shape for your ring.
A background image with diamond silhouettes
 
 
Why Shop for Diamonds with Shane Co.?
Why Shop for Diamonds with Shane Co.?
We know you want a jeweler you can trust — that’s why we’re committed to being your friend in the jewelry business. Why choose Shane Co.? Because:
  • Our stones are ethically sourced and conflict-free, always.
  • Our warranty is the best in the business — for free, for life — and even includes your center stone, plus extra benefits like free resizing and cleaning/inspections.
  • Our best-in-class upgrade program allows you to upgrade your diamond at any time and only pay the difference from what you originally paid.
  • We’ve been experts in the diamond business since 1929. This means we know diamonds better than anyone else. But most importantly, there’s always transparency and integrity in everything we do. So no matter what diamond you choose, with Shane Co. you can always be sure you’re getting the most beautiful stone at the best value.
Plus so much more!
 
 
Book an Appointment
Book an Appointment
Did you know you can book an in-store or online appointment with one of our expert jewelry consultants? We’re happy to answer any and all questions you have about diamonds, engagement rings, jewelry, and more.