The Raul Standard
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Everything you need to choose the perfect diamond — explained simply, honestly, by our experts. No pressure. Just clarity.
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Buying Guide
The 4 C's of Diamonds
Cut, Color, Clarity, and Carat — these four qualities define every diamond's beauty and value. Understanding them is the single most important step before any purchase. Here's what each one really means, and what to prioritise for your budget.
The First C
Cut
The most important of the 4 C's. Cut determines how well a diamond reflects light — its brilliance, fire, and scintillation. A poorly cut diamond looks dull regardless of color or clarity.
The Second C
Color
Diamond color is graded D (colorless) to Z (light yellow). In lab-grown diamonds, D–F is colorless perfection. G–H offers near-colorless beauty at outstanding value — virtually indistinguishable to the naked eye.
The Third C
Clarity
Clarity measures internal inclusions and external blemishes on a scale from FL (flawless) to I3. VS1–VS2 diamonds are clean to the naked eye and represent the ideal balance of clarity and cost.
The Fourth C
Carat
Carat is the unit of diamond weight (1 ct = 0.2 grams), not size. With lab-grown diamonds, your budget goes 50–70% further than mined — meaning a larger, more impressive stone for the same price.
Foundation
What Are Lab-Grown Diamonds?
Lab-grown diamonds are real diamonds. Not simulants. Not fakes. The same carbon crystal structure, the same physical properties, the same eternal beauty — grown above ground using the same conditions that create diamonds deep within the earth.
A lab-grown diamond is a real diamond. The only difference is where it was born.
— The Raul Standard| Property | Lab-Grown | Mined |
|---|---|---|
| Chemical composition | Identical | Identical |
| Hardness (Mohs) | 10 | 10 |
| IGI / GIA certified | Yes | Yes |
| Conflict-free | Always | Not always |
| Price for same quality | 50–70% less | Premium |
| Environmental impact | Minimal | High |
Certification
IGI &GIA Certification
Every Raul Diamond comes with a certificate from IGI or GIA — the world's most trusted independent diamond grading laboratories. Your certificate is your proof. It verifies exactly what you're buying — independently, objectively, permanently.
The world's leading authority for lab-grown diamond grading. IGI evaluates and grades each diamond's cut, color, clarity, and carat weight using rigorous, consistent standards — accepted worldwide by retailers, insurers, and appraisers.
Most Raul Diamonds carry IGI certification — the industry benchmark for lab-grown stones.
Founded in 1931, GIA invented the modern 4 C's grading system. The gold standard of diamond certification — trusted by every major jeweler, auction house, and gemologist on earth.
Select Raul Diamonds carry GIA certification for customers who want the most recognized name in diamond grading.
Style Guide
Find Your Diamond Shape
Each shape tells a different story. The right cut reflects her personality, her style, and the way she moves through the world. Browse all 9 shapes — every one available in IGI or GIA certified lab-grown diamonds, made to order in your chosen metal and setting.
Metal Guide
Choose Your Metal
The metal frames your diamond's story. It affects the look, the feel, the durability, and the price. At Raul Diamonds, every setting is crafted to The Raul Standard — nickel-free, hallmarked, and built to last a lifetime.
Fit &Comfort
Ring Sizing Guide
Getting the size right matters. An ill-fitting ring is one of the most common post-purchase worries — which is why every Raul ring includes one complimentary resize within 60 days of delivery.
Place an existing ring on our printable size chart. Match the inner circle to your ring's interior. This is the most accurate at-home method.
Wrap a thin strip of paper or string around the base of your finger. Mark where it overlaps. Measure the length in millimetres — that's your circumference.
Our experts will guide you through sizing personally — no guesswork, no pressure. Virtual consultations are available now, Monday–Saturday.
Fingers are smallest in the morning and in cold weather — and largest in the evening and heat. For the most accurate size, measure in the evening when your fingers are at their fullest.
Wider bands fit tighter than narrow ones. If you're choosing a band wider than 6mm, we recommend sizing up by half a size for comfort.
Every Raul ring comes with one complimentary resize within 60 days of delivery — because getting it right matters more than getting it quickly.
Questions &Answers
Frequently Asked Questions
Everything you've wondered about lab-grown diamonds, certification, and buying from Raul — answered clearly and honestly.
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