The Gemstone Guide

Every Roséipur piece is built around a stone, not the other way around. Because we work primarily with emeralds and diamonds, and because each piece is selected and set by hand, it helps to understand a little about what makes one stone different from another. Here is a short guide to how we, and most jewellers, think about grading and caring for a gemstone.

 

Diamonds: the four Cs

Diamonds are graded on four factors, often called the four Cs.

  • Cut – how well the stone's proportions and finish let it reflect light. A well-cut stone looks brighter than a larger, poorly cut one.
  • Colour – graded on a scale from colourless to light yellow or brown. Colourless stones are rarer, though many people prefer the warmth of a near-colourless stone.
  • Clarity – the presence of tiny internal or surface marks, called inclusions and blemishes. Most are invisible without magnification.
  • Carat – the weight of the stone, not its size. Two diamonds of the same carat weight can look different sizes depending on how they are cut.

Emeralds: what makes them different

Emeralds are judged differently to diamonds. Because of how they form, almost every natural emerald contains some internal inclusions, sometimes called a jardin, French for garden. This is normal and expected, and is part of what makes each stone unique rather than a flaw to avoid.

 

Most emeralds on the market, including the majority of fine emeralds, are treated with a colourless oil to fill tiny surface fractures and improve clarity. This is a widely accepted practice in the trade, and we always disclose it. We are glad to share the treatment status and grading details of any stone on request.

 

For emeralds, colour and transparency tend to matter more than carat weight alone. A smaller stone with a rich, even green can be more valuable than a larger, paler one.

 

Caring for your gemstone

Diamonds and emeralds need slightly different care.

  • Diamonds – are the hardest natural material, but can still chip if struck at the wrong angle, so store rings separately from other jewellery.
  • Emeralds – are softer and more brittle than diamonds, and their oil treatment means they should never go in an ultrasonic or steam cleaner, and should avoid contact with alcohol, perfume, or other harsh chemicals.
  • Everyday cleaning – clean both with a soft brush and warm, soapy water, then dry with a soft cloth.
  • Check-ups – have prongs and settings checked periodically, especially for rings worn daily.

For details on the specific stone in one of our pieces, current or custom, get in touch and we will share carat, clarity, and grading information.

 

Four Generations, One Promise

"Roseipur began as a promise, not a business plan. Four generations ago, our family started selecting and setting stones in Jaipur's gem bazaars, by hand, for people we knew.

Every piece that has left our atelier since carries that same promise: chosen stone by stone, finished by hand, by people who still care what happens to it after it leaves.

Today we work between two cities. In Paris, each piece is drawn and refined before it ever reaches a workbench.

In Jaipur, in the atelier our family has run for four generations, master artisans cut, set, and finish every stone by hand. We haven't changed how we work, we've simply kept doing it, one generation at a time."

- The Roseipur Family

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