Diamonds form in the ground about 100 - 150 miles beneath the earth’s crust. In phenomenally high temperatures, mineral carbon is crushed under the weight of the rock to form crystals. Subsequently, volcanic activity pushes the crystals to the earth’s surface where the rock is mined to reveal the diamonds.

Diamonds that adorn engagement rings are individually unique not solely because of the cut, colour and clarity but because of ‘inclusions’. During the creation of the diamonds, minute features develop within the stones comprising a mix of minerals and carbon, and microscopic fractures.

Diamonds are sized by ‘carats’ and it is thought that the word derives from carob seeds to which diamonds were originally compared by weight. Carob seeds are particularly uniform in size and weigh 0.2 grams. Consequently, a carat is equivalent to 0.2grams.

It will be no surprise to learn that big diamonds are much rarer than small diamonds and are, consequently, highly prized. Diamonds that are 1-carat will cost more than twice as much as diamonds that are ½-carat even if the clarity and the colour of the diamonds are of equal quality.

Although the carat size determines the price, when buying diamonds it is important to also consider the way the stones have been cut.

Diamond rings come in all shapes and sizes. The idea of going down on one knee, opening a velvet box, and popping the question is a delightful fantasy but, when it comes to diamond engagement rings, it is best not to go it alone. Marlows have a huge range of diamond rings of all kinds, whether it be diamond engagement rings, eternity diamond rings, wedding rings or diamond rings for any other reason.

Diamond rings are very much a personal choice and are typically adorned with a classic, cut diamond, set in a 4-claw setting on a gold band. The price of diamond rings is determined by the size of the stone, which is measured in carats. To augment the diamonds set in diamond rings, jewellers often complement the diamonds with other stones to exemplify the fire and purity of cut diamonds at the heart of stunning diamond rings. Baguette-shaped diamonds are a charming design feature of some diamond rings and also complement the main stone.

Oval-shaped diamonds are becoming extremely popular in diamond engagement rings as are diamond rings with heart-shaped diamonds and pear-shaped diamonds. The size of the diamond in any diamond rings helps determine the price; consequently, when buying diamond rings you should also consider the cut, clarity and colour of the stone as much as its carat weight.

Buying diamond rings is all down to personal taste, which is why Marlows lets you create custom diamond rings of all kinds, allowing diamond engagement rings, eternity diamond rings and wedding rings reflect who you are as well as everything else they represent.

Diamond engagement rings are typically adorned with a classic, cut diamond, set in a gold, silver or platinum band. The setting in most diamond engagement rings is designed to allow the light to refract through the many facets of the cut diamonds. Some diamond engagement rings have diamonds cut to be supported by 4 claws rather than 6, which allows a higher level of light to refract through the stones and make the diamond engagement rings sparkle even more.

Diamond engagement rings are individually unique as within each diamond there are ‘inclusions’, minute features within the stones. Inclusions can affect the value of diamond engagement rings but they are also good for identifying individual stones. Marlows understands that most customers don't want anything less than 'perfection' when it comes to buying their diamond engagement rings so we don't sell diamonds with visible inclusions.

Marlows diamonds are known for their clarity and the way that the light disperses beautifully when hitting the stone, causing a spectrum of stunning colours to be revealed.

A key factor to consider when buying diamond engagement rings is how well the diamonds are cut and polished. Diamond engagement rings achieve their sparkle thanks to the skill of the diamond cutters. The brilliance of the sparkle, the multi-coloured fire within the stones, and the bounce of light from facet to facet, similar to a prism, all combine to give diamond engagement rings a unique visual quality.

To ensure that diamond engagement rings generate maximum sparkle, the diamond cutter shapes the diamonds to create the ideal angles and proportions. If the cut is poor, then light does not refract and the brilliance of diamond engagement rings is lost.

Diamond engagement rings are truly for ever and will never decompose or degenerate. However, after many years, diamond engagement rings can look dull through the adherence of dirt. Simple cleaning by a jeweller will bring back the sparkle to diamond engagement rings and although the platinum, or gold band wears over time, the diamonds in diamond engagement rings always remains pure. Marlows offer cleaning as part of our free after sales care package offered to those choosing any of our diamond engagement rings.

Diamond engagement rings usually have platinum claws to hold the diamonds as this is a very durable metal and doesn't wear easily. Diamond engagement rings are so precious in terms of their emotional value it is a good idea to regularly check any diamond engagement rings for signs of wear.

These days, wedding rings are often more exciting than a simple band of gold or platinum which is traditionally how wedding rings appear. Wedding rings can have numerous diamonds encrusted in the gold band, and usually wedding rings display much smaller stones than those that adorn most diamond engagement rings.

People sometimes change over the years and wedding rings may need resizing occasionally. All good jewellers will be able to resize your wedding rings and other jewellery if necessary and Marlows alter wedding rings whilst you wait so you are not without your treasured wedding rings for long. This is part of the free after sales service offered by Malows with all wedding rings sold.

Diamonds set within wedding rings have a unique ability to enthral and are one of earth’s greatest gifts. Over years, cut diamonds will pass through many hands and touch many hearts. Wedding rings that are adorned with cut diamonds reflect a multitude of colours.

Wedding rings decorated with diamonds, owe much of their beauty to the skill of the diamond cutters. The brilliance of the sparkle and the multi-coloured fire within the stones combine to give diamond encrusted wedding rings a unique visual quality.

Wedding rings often pass from generation to generation, but the purity and the sparkle of diamond rings never diminishes.