Knowledge
Everything you need to know before you buy. Expert, factual guidance on diamonds, gold, gemstones and precious metals — written by people who understand jewellery down to the atom.
Understand the 4Cs — Cut, Colour, Clarity and Carat — and how to choose a diamond that delivers maximum beauty at your budget. Includes certification, shape comparisons and Caratspun grading.
From 14K to 24K, yellow to rose — learn what gold purity means, how it affects durability and colour, and which karat is right for everyday wear versus special occasions.
Rubies, emeralds, sapphires and more. Discover how to evaluate colour, clarity, origin and treatment in coloured gemstones, and what makes a stone truly rare.
Sterling silver, 925 hallmarks and platinum purity explained. Understand the difference between white metals, how to care for them and when to choose silver versus white gold versus platinum.
Questions
Hallmarking is the official certification of metal purity carried out by a government-approved assaying and hallmarking centre. In India, the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) oversees gold hallmarking. A hallmark on a piece of jewellery guarantees that the metal meets the stated purity — for example, 22K gold (91.6% pure gold). Always insist on BIS hallmarked jewellery.
18K gold contains 75% pure gold, with 25% alloy metals. It is harder and more durable, making it ideal for diamond-set and gemstone jewellery. 22K gold contains 91.6% pure gold and has a richer warm colour, preferred for traditional Indian jewellery. 24K is 99.9% pure but too soft for wearable jewellery — it is used for gold coins and bars.
Prioritise Cut above all other Cs — a well-cut diamond sparkles even at lower colour and clarity grades. Then consider Colour (D–G is colourless to near-colourless) and Clarity (VS1–SI1 is eye-clean for most shapes). Carat determines size; note that a higher-cut-grade stone will appear larger and more brilliant than a heavier, poorly-cut stone. Always ask for a GIA or IGI certificate.
Yes. Every diamond sold by Caratspun is certified conflict-free under the Kimberley Process Certification Scheme. We source from IGI and GIA certified merchants who follow full chain-of-custody traceability. Natural diamonds only — we do not sell lab-grown diamonds.
The "Big Three" precious gemstones — rubies, emeralds and sapphires — command the highest prices per carat after diamonds. Within each, origin matters greatly: Burmese ("Pigeon Blood") rubies, Colombian emeralds and Ceylon/Kashmir sapphires all carry a premium. Other sought-after stones include Paraíba tourmalines, alexandrite and natural pearls.
Store each piece separately in a soft pouch or compartmentised jewellery box to prevent scratching. Remove jewellery before swimming (chlorine and saltwater corrode metals and affect stones), exercising and applying cosmetics or perfume. Clean gold jewellery with mild soap, warm water and a soft brush. For diamond jewellery, a periodic professional clean at your Caratspun store is recommended. Avoid ultrasonic cleaners for emeralds and pearls — they are sensitive to vibration.
Still have questions? Our jewellery experts are here to help.