Guide to Diamonds — The Stones Standard
Sourcing exceptional diamonds, offering timeless value.
For over 55 years, Stones Diamond Ring Specialists has proudly sourced and crafted with the same high-quality diamond grade — F/G colour, SI1/2 clarity. This standard reflects our commitment to offering stones that are truly beautiful, without passing on unnecessary costs to our customers.
Over decades of experience, we’ve installed a philosophy in diamond selection which puts ours customers first. We find that F–G colour and SI clarity consistently provide the best outcome for our clients. These diamonds are bright, white, and near-colourless, with clarity that is eye-clean — meaning any natural inclusions are not visible without 10 -20x magnification.
We believe in offering diamonds that look stunning to the naked eye, without asking our clients to pay significantly more for higher grades that offer little to no visible difference. Large luxury brands like Tiffany often focus on selling diamonds in the higher clarity range of Flawless to VS2, which passes significant additional costs on to the customer for a stone that, to the naked eye, looks no different to our carefully selected SI grade diamonds.
That said, there are occasions when we do stock higher clarity grades — particularly for diamond cuts like emerald cuts, where the long, open facets allow you to see more clearly through the stone, making higher clarity more desirable. We also keep a selection of higher grades on hand to provide clients with a reference point against our standard grade. However, the majority of the diamonds we source are in our trusted F–G SI range, which strikes the ideal balance between quality, beauty, and value — a standard we’ve proudly stood by for over 55 years.
Understanding the 4Cs
Each diamond is assessed by the 4Cs, a global standard of quality:
Colour — We specialise in F/G colour diamonds — Rare white, near-colourless stones that offer superb whiteness and brightness, at excellent value compared to top-tier grades.However we do have higher colour grade options in stock.
Clarity — Our standard SI clarity ensures any natural inclusions are minimal and invisible to the naked eye. The result is a diamond that looks stunning, without unnecessary premium pricing. We offer higher grade of clarity when necessary. The SI clarity range contributes to a large majority of the diamond market, a true diamond speiclaists can sort the better SI1/2 grades from the bad Si2 gradings. We often knock back stones which do not meet a higher grade of SI clairty.
Cut — Cut is what gives a diamond its sparkle, and we only work with highest grade cut stones, where expert proportioning and precision craftsmanship bring out the full brilliance of the gem. Without an exceptional cut, even the highest clarity and colour grades can appear dull.
Carat — Carat refers to the diamond’s weight. A larger diamond may not always appear more brilliant — which is why we focus on helping you choose the ideal combination of size and quality.
Our Philosophy
We have worked with generations of customers to create engagement rings, wedding bands, and jewellery that celebrates life’s most meaningful moments. Our approach to diamonds reflects our values:
- Consistent sourcing from trusted suppliers since 1970
- Quality that lasts, at a fair price
- Guidance that puts your priorities first — not upselling, just honesty
When you visit Stones, we’ll show you diamonds side-by-side so you can truly see the difference in colour, clarity, and cut — and find the perfect stone for you.
Visit Us
Choosing a diamond is a once in a lifetime experience. We welcome you to visit us in the Brisbane Arcade — no appointment needed — and let our team help you select a diamond that will be cherished forever.
Looking for something different? We can source other grades, colours or shapes upon request.
