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Stone InformationUpdated 2 hours ago

All of our stones are carefully chosen for their beauty, energy, and enduring quality. From the timeless brilliance of diamonds to the unique character of natural gemstones, every stone carries its own meaning, qualities, and story.

This guide is designed to help you understand the differences between our gemstones and diamonds, so you can select pieces that resonate with you and care for them in a way that ensures their longevity. This guide is intended as a starting point only and should be complemented with additional learning.


Our Gemstones

We currently source gemstones from various global regions like South Africa, India, Brazil, China and many more. Our current gemstone selections are: Garnet, Amethyst, Aquamarine, White Topaz, Emerald, Moonstone, Ruby, Peridot, Sapphire, Pink Tourmaline, Citrine, Blue Topaz, and White Sapphire.

AspectSynthetic StonesStimulant Stones Natural Stones
OriginCreated in laboratories under controlled conditionsMan-made materials designed to mimic gemstonesFormed naturally underground over millions of years
CompositionChemically and physically identical to their natural counterpartsDifferent composition; not the same as the stone they imitatePure crystalline structures of carbon, corundum, beryl, etc.
RarityWidely available; supply is controllableExtremely common; mass-producedLimited by geology and mining, rare
Price30-50% less than natural equivalentsLeast-cost optionHighest, driven by rarity and market demand
EthicsConflict-free, traceable origins (RJC/SCS certifications apply)Ethical (no mining involved) but no inherent symbolic valueMust be sourced responsibly (Kimberley Process, fair mining)
SustainabilityNo mining, but an energy-intensive productionLow impact to produce, but often disposable or wastefulMining has a  significant environmental and social impact
GradingEvaluated using the same scales as natural stones (e.g., 4Cs)Not graded on the same scales; judged on look and qualityGraded by recognised standards (GIA, 4Cs, etc.)
UniquenessEach stone is unique in inclusions and growth patternUnique appearance; lacks natural individualityEvery stone is one-of-a-kind, with unique inclusions and tone
ExamplesLab-grown diamonds, rubies, sapphiresCubiz Zirconia, moissanite, glassMined diamonds, sapphires, emeralds

Our GSI Natural and Lab-grown Diamonds

We use a mixture of natural and synthetic stones, ensuring that the chemical and physical composition is the same. Laboratory-grown diamonds are physically, optically, and chemically identical to mined natural diamonds. The only distinction lies in their origin.

Also known as cultured, man-made, or engineered diamonds. The diamonds are created in specialised laboratories under highly controlled conditions. Each diamond is unique, with its own colour, clarity, and inclusions. Lab-grown diamonds are graded by the same 4Cs as natural diamonds:

  • Cuthow light reflects.
  • ColourGIA D–Z scale.
  • ClarityFlawless to I3 scale.
  • Caratweight/size.
Creation Methods
Chemical Vapour Deposition (CVD)
  • Diamond seed heated to ~800°C in a vacuum chamber.
  • Carbon-rich gases break down, forming diamond layer by layer.
  • Lower energy use is considered more cost-effective.
High Pressure High Temperature (HPHT)
  • Mimics Earth’s natural diamond-forming conditions.
  • Seed exposed to extreme heat (1,300–1,600°C) and immense pressure.
  • Often undergoes post-treatments to improve colour/clarity.

Many of our pieces feature GH-SI natural and lab-grown diamonds. The GH represents the colour of the diamond, which is 'fine white' and at the high end of the nearly colourless range. SI stand for 'Small Inclusions' and represents the clarity of the diamond. 

Each product description will specify whether the diamond is natural or lab-grown. All of our diamonds are either RJC or SCS Global certified, meaning they were sourced ethically and in accordance with the guidelines of these certifications. We use both CVD and HPHT to make our lab-grown diamonds.

Let’s explore the differences to help you find what feels right for you.

AspectLab-grown DiamondNatural Diamond
OriginMade in labs over weeks or monthsFormed over millions of years underground
CompositionPure carbon crystallinePure carbon crystalline
RarityWidely availableScarce
Price30-50% less than natural diamondsPremium cost
EthicsMining-free, traceable, conflict-freeKimberley Process certified (to ensure conflict-free)
SustainabilityLow mining impact, energy-intensive to produceEnvironmental/social impacts from mining
Grading4Cs (same as natural)4Cs (same as lab-grown)
UniquenessEach diamond is uniqueEach diamond is unique


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