Colour is the single most important quality characteristic of a gemstone. The finest and most desirable stones display intense colour saturation, a deep tone, and purity of hue. Because colour is so highly valued, the vast majority of gemstones available on the market today have been treated in some form to enhance their natural colour.

At Diamond Story, we supply both untreated and treated gemstones and will always be transparent about which you are purchasing. An untreated stone of fine colour is generally rarer and more valuable — and we'll tell you exactly what you're buying.

Like diamonds, almost all gemstones contain inclusions — naturally occurring characteristics formed during the stone's growth. Finding a truly flawless gemstone is extremely rare. The good news is that inclusions do not have to be a cause for concern.

We only source gemstones that are eye clean — meaning any inclusions are not visible to the naked eye under normal viewing conditions. You get the beauty of a fine stone without worrying about visible flaws.

Gemstones differ from diamonds in one important way: they are generally cut to maximise colour, not sparkle. There is no single ideal cut range for a coloured gemstone — the cut depends entirely on the stone's natural characteristics.

A gemstone with higher colour saturation is typically cut more shallow to allow more light through, softening the intensity. A stone with lighter colour saturation is usually cut deeper to concentrate and maximise the colour. Understanding this helps explain why gemstone cuts can look very different from one another — and why each cut decision is intentional.

Most gemstones are classified by diameter or dimensions rather than carat weight. This is because different gemstone types have different densities — meaning five stones of the same carat weight can look significantly different in actual size.

The top view dimensions tell you how large the stone will appear when set in jewellery. However, the depth is equally important to consider — gemstones are typically deeper than diamonds, so a setting may need to be made or selected to accommodate the stone's profile. Our team will always advise on the right setting for your chosen stone.

The vast majority of gemstones available today have been treated in some form. Natural, untreated stones of exceptional colour do exist  but they are rare and command a significant premium.

The most common treatment is heat enhancement, which deepens or improves a stone's colour. Clarity enhancement is also used in some stones to reduce the visibility of inclusions. At Diamond Story, we are fully transparent about any treatments applied to every gemstone we sell so you always know exactly what you're buying.

Pearl Lustre

Lustre the quality of a pearl's shine is the most important indicator of value. The better the lustre, the more light reflects off the pearl's surface, giving it that distinctive glowing, mirror-like quality that makes fine pearls so captivating.

Larger pearls tend to have superior lustre because they carry more nacre. When choosing a pearl, always look for sharp, bright reflections on the surface a sign of high nacre quality and excellent lustre.

 Pearl Care

Pearls are organic gems and require different care to diamonds and gemstones. One of the best things you can do for your pearls is simply wear them — the body's natural oils help keep pearls looking lustrous and hydrated.

However, there are a few important rules to follow:

•Never clean pearl jewellery in an ultrasonic cleaner.
•Never use chemicals, perfume, or hairspray directly on pearls.
•Wipe pearls gently with a soft, damp cloth after wearing.
•Store pearls separately from other jewellery to prevent scratching.

With the right care, a fine set of pearls will remain beautiful for generations.