Everything you actually need to know - minus the fluff.
Thinking about buying your first diamond? Maybe it’s to celebrate a promotion, a personal milestone, or simply because you want one. (And for the record, you don’t need a reason.) But let’s be honest: shopping for diamonds can feel like stepping into another language. What size? What’s “VS1”? Is lab-grown legit? And the big one - is it weird to buy one for yourself?
Take a breath. We’ve got you. This is the
Coluxe guide
to choosing your first diamond with clarity, confidence, and joy.
Lab-Grown or Mined? Let’s Clear That Up
Both are real diamonds.
Same sparkle. Same brilliance. Same strength. The difference lies in origin.
Mined diamonds are pulled from the Earth, and that comes with measurable costs. Extracting a single carat can displace more than 200 tons of rock and soil. It uses large volumes of water and energy, and leaves behind land that is difficult to restore. Beyond the environmental toll, sourcing practices can be murky, with risks of unsafe labour and conflict-linked supply chains.
Lab-grown diamonds
, by contrast, are created above ground in controlled labs. The process replicates the natural conditions of heat and pressure, producing a diamond that is chemically, physically, and visually identical to mined. Yes, it still requires energy, but modern labs are increasingly powered by renewables, making the footprint significantly lighter and far more transparent.
At Coluxe, we choose
lab-grown
because it’s the
conscious
, contemporary option: real beauty without hidden costs, and a story you can be proud to wear.
Certification Counts
Here’s one more truth: lab-grown and mined diamonds are certified on the exact same lines. Every Coluxe stone is graded by the
International Gemological Institute (IGI)
for cut, colour, clarity, and carat. That certificate is your proof that what you’re buying meets the same global standards as traditional diamonds - with the added assurance of transparency and traceability.
The 4Cs, Simplified
The old playbook loves to overwhelm you with jargon. Here’s the Coluxe take:
-
Cut
is everything. It determines brilliance, so always aim for Excellent or Ideal.
-
Colour
runs from D (icy white) to Z (yellow tones). The smart sweet spot is E-F-G: bright, white, and strong value.
-
Clarity
measures imperfections. Anything VS2 or better looks flawless to the naked eye. Don’t overspend chasing invisible specs.
-
Carat
is size, yes - but proportion matters more. A well-cut one-carat can outshine a poorly cut 1.5 carat
Every Coluxe diamond is
IGI-certified
and handpicked for brilliance. Translation: no guesswork, no nasty surprises, just sparkle.
Size Isn’t Everything. Style Is.
Your first diamond doesn’t need to be the biggest in the room.
It needs to feel like you
. Ask yourself: do you want timeless or trend-forward? A ring, a pendant, or earrings? Something for everyday joy or special-occasion glamour?
Sometimes a half-carat pendant feels more luxe than a chunky ring that doesn’t suit your style. The point is not “big.” The point is “you.”
Know What You’re Paying For
Most jewellers love a mystery markup. We don’t. At Coluxe, your price reflects three things:
-
The stone
- IGI certification, 4Cs, and brilliance guaranteed.
-
The metal
- always solid gold, never plated.
-
The craft
- silhouettes designed to stack, layer, and live with you every day.
No smoke, no mirrors. Just beauty with receipts.
Self-Bought = Self-Loved
Old rule:
wait for someone else to gift you a diamond.
New rule:
gift it to yourself first.
Your first diamond is about marking your own moment, whatever that means. The job you nailed. The city you moved to. The love you chose for yourself. Or simply because it makes you happy - and that’s reason enough.
Our Top Picks for a First Diamond
-
A one-carat round or princess-cut ring:
classic, stackable, and endlessly chic.
-
A solitaire pendant:
effortless, minimal, perfect for layering.
-
Diamond studs:
never-not-glamorous, from coffee runs to cocktail hours.
-
A tennis bracelet or eternity band:
perfect if you want a stack that grows with your story.
Yes, we’ve designed all of these - for exactly this moment.
The First of Many
At Coluxe, diamonds aren’t the finish line. They’re mile markers on your journey - symbols of who you are, and who you’re becoming. Take your time. Trust your instincts. And remember: the sparkle is real. So are you.
Coluxe. Made, Not Mined. Designed for your first - and every one after.
