There is a popular theory that synthetic diamonds are killing the natural, mined diamond business. That’s fake news! The natural diamond industry is doing a better job at harming itself than the manufactured diamond industry could ever hope to do. Read more »

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There is more than meets the eye behind De Beer’s move into lab-grown diamonds says GARRY HOLLOWAY. Indeed some of the early ramifications have been ‘unintended’, or were they? Read more »

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In the wake of the international controversy regarding diamond ‘over-grading' and the subsequent banning of EGL reports, GARRY HOLLOWAY presents solutions that would better serve the industry and build real consumer confidence. Read more »

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Step cuts have always had their admirers – those who prefer the clean, cool appearance of a square or rectangular stone. GARRY HOLLOWAY reports. Read more »

Square proprietary cuts are popular with cutters because they have a very high yield from an octahedron rough. GARRY HOLLOWAY reports. Read more »

Over recent years coloured diamonds have become increasingly popular. They are not new with some of the most famous diamonds being colored – The Tiffany (yellow) and The Hope (blue) to name just two. Garry Holloway provides an insight into coloured diamonds. Read more »

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What makes a diamond beautiful and what makes it sparkle? GARRY HOLLOWAY offers advanced information for those with an existing understanding of diamond properties on how to choose a beautiful diamond. For a more basic run-down on selecting a diamond, click here: Buying A Diamond. Read more »

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Round proprietary cuts give retailers an extra selling point, but how do they differ from branded generics? GARRY HOLLOWAY explains. Read more »

Designers of new diamond cuts have long sought to protect their work from copycats. The two main protections are patents, which last for around 20 years, and trademarks. GARRY HOLLOWAY explains. Read more »

There's no gem that symbolises love like the diamond - the most precious of rocks is, after all, an integral ingredient in the modern engagement ring - and no shape that symbolises love like the heart. GARRY HOLLOWAY, KATHRYN WYATT AND KATHERINE KOVACS, GAA explain. Read more »

First patented in 1902, the Asscher cut reached its peak of popularity during the Art Deco period of the 1920s. GARRY HOLLOWAY, KATHERINE KOVACS and KATHRYN WYATT, GAA explain. Read more »

Up until 1985, the biggest diamond in the world was the pear-shaped Cullinan I (Greater Star of Africa). GARRY HOLLOWAY, KATHRYN WYATT and KATERINE KOVACS, GAA report on the legendary pear cut. Read more »

The cushion cut evolved from the Old Mine or Old Miner cuts. Bearing a nostalgic, rounded appearance and a softer brilliance than many of the modern cuts, it's no surprise that it is also known as a pillow or candlelight cut. GARRY HOLLOWAY, KATHRYN WYATT and KATHERINE KOVACS, GAA explain. Read more »

There is no more famous oval-cut diamond than the 108-carat Koh-i-noor. GARRY HOLLOWAY, KATHRYN WYATT and KATHERINE KOVACS, GAA explain. Read more »

The radiant was the first rectangular or square cut to have a complete brilliant facet pattern applied to both the crown and pavilion. GARRY HOLLOWAY, KATE WYATT and KATHERINE KOVACS, GAA explain. Read more »