Jewellery 
Care

A little maintenance can make all the difference.

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Jewellery that is worn regularly naturally collects oils, lotions and everyday residue, which can dull the appearance of diamonds and gemstones over time.

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More importantly, claws and settings can wear or loosen without you noticing.

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Regular professional cleaning gives us the opportunity to not only restore your jewellery's sparkle, but also check the claws, settings and stones for movement, wear or damage.

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Finding a small issue early can often prevent a much bigger problem later — particularly the loss of a precious stone.

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We recommend having frequently worn pieces, particularly engagement and wedding rings, professionally checked on a regular basis.

Not sure if your jewellery needs a check? Bring it in and we'll have a look.

Sometimes a much-loved piece just needs a little attention.

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Jewellery is made to be worn, so over time repairs are sometimes unavoidable.

We can assist with everything from everyday jewellery repairs through to the restoration of older and sentimental pieces.

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This can include:

• Ring resizing

• Worn or damaged claws

• Loose or missing stones

• Setting repairs

• Broken chains and clasps

• Stone replacement

• Polishing and refinishing

• Restoration of older jewellery

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Before any work is undertaken, we'll assess your piece and talk you through what needs to be done and the options available.

And if you have jewellery tucked away because it's damaged, dated or simply no longer your style, talk to us. Sometimes the best option isn't simply repairing it — we may be able to remodel the piece or use its stones to create something completely new, while keeping the sentiment and history behind the original.

Understanding your jewellery

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We believe choosing fine jewellery should be exciting — not confusing.

There can be a lot of terminology involved when buying a diamond or creating a bespoke piece, but you don't need to become a gemologist to make a good decision.

Part of our concierge service is taking the time to explain your options in straightforward terms so you understand what you're looking at, what you're paying for and, importantly, what actually matters.

If you've started looking for a diamond, you've probably already come across the 4Cs — Cut, Colour, Clarity and Carat.

They're an important starting point for comparing diamonds, but they don't tell the entire story.

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Cut

Cut is one of the most important factors in how beautiful a diamond appears.

 

It describes how well a diamond has been cut and proportioned to interact with light. A beautifully cut diamond can appear bright, lively and full of sparkle.

 

For us, this is one of those areas where the numbers on a certificate are only part of the conversation. We want to see how the diamond actually performs.

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Colour

Diamond colour is graded from D through to Z, with D representing the highest colourless grade.

 

The differences between neighbouring grades can be extremely subtle, particularly once a diamond is set into jewellery.

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Rather than automatically chasing the highest grade, we look at the diamond, the setting, your choice of metal and your budget to find the right balance.

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Clarity

Natural diamonds are formed with individual characteristics, often referred to as inclusions.

 

Clarity grading considers the size, number, position and nature of those characteristics.

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Some inclusions are visible; many aren't visible to the naked eye at all.

This is why we don't believe in simply paying for a higher clarity grade for the sake of having a higher number on a certificate. What matters is choosing a beautiful diamond and understanding exactly what you're paying for.

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Carat

Carat refers to a diamond's weight, not simply its physical size.

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Two diamonds of exactly the same carat weight can look quite different when viewed from above depending on their shape, proportions and how the weight is distributed.

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So while carat is important, we also consider how the diamond actually presents on the hand.

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The 4Cs are where we start — not where we finish.

A diamond can look wonderful on paper and be completely different when you see it in person.

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That's why we personally source and compare stones for our clients. We look at the complete diamond rather than choosing purely from a list of specifications.

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Our job is to help you find the right combination of beauty, quality and value for you.

What does all that information actually mean?

A GIA report provides an independent assessment of a diamond's characteristics and is an important part of understanding exactly what you're purchasing.

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It records information including the diamond's carat weight, colour, clarity, measurements and other grading characteristics.

 

At D&D, our stones are accompanied by GIA reports, giving our clients independent documentation of the diamond they are purchasing.

But we don't simply hand you a report and expect you to understand it.

We'll take you through it, explain the relevant grades and show you how they relate to the actual diamond in front of you.

 

Because while certification is important, we still want to see the stone.

Two diamonds can have very similar specifications on paper and look noticeably different side by side.

 

That's where personally sourcing and comparing stones becomes so valuable.

Finding the shape that feels like you.

Choosing a diamond isn't only about grades and carat weight. Shape can completely change the personality of a piece.

Some clients know immediately what they love. Others come to us thinking they want one shape and fall in love with something completely different once they see their options.

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From the timeless brilliance of a round diamond to the elegance of an oval, the clean lines of an emerald cut, or the individuality of pear, cushion, marquise and radiant cuts, each shape has its own character.

 

Shape can also influence how large a diamond appears on the hand and how it works with the overall design of your ring.

 

That's why we like to consider the whole piece — your stone, your setting, your hand and your personal style — rather than looking at any one element in isolation.

Choosing the right metal for your piece.

The metal you choose affects more than just the colour of your jewellery. It can influence its appearance, feel, durability and how it wears over time.

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We work with yellow gold, white gold, rose gold and platinum, and we'll talk you through the differences when we're designing your piece.

 

Yellow gold offers a beautiful, traditional warmth, while white gold creates a clean, contemporary appearance that works beautifully with diamonds.

 

Rose gold has a softer warmth and distinctive colour.

 

Platinum is naturally white, dense and highly regarded for fine jewellery, particularly engagement and wedding rings.

 

There isn't one metal that's right for everyone.

 

We'll recommend what we believe works best based on the design, stones, how the piece will be worn and, of course, what you love.

A few simple habits can make a big difference to the life of your jewellery.

Remove fine jewellery before activities where it may be knocked, caught or exposed to unnecessary chemicals. Be mindful when exercising, gardening, cleaning or doing anything particularly hands-on.

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Store pieces separately where possible so diamonds and gemstones don't scratch other jewellery.

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And while keeping jewellery clean at home is helpful, it shouldn't replace professional inspections — particularly for pieces you wear every day.

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If something doesn't feel right, don't wait. If a stone feels loose, a claw catches on clothing or your ring suddenly feels different, stop wearing it and have it checked.