Your diamond questions, answered.

Yes. A lab-grown diamond is pure carbon, with the same hardness, sparkle and chemistry as a natural diamond. Only its origin differs: it's grown in a lab, not mined. It isn't cubic zirconia or moissanite.

Origin and price. A natural diamond was formed by nature over billions of years and is rare. A lab-grown diamond is the same material, grown in a few weeks, and costs much less. Its certificate always says which one it is.

Yes. Choose "Natural" or "Lab-grown" in the search filters. Every diamond's page and certificate state its origin.

Not by eye, and not with a jeweller's loupe. Only a gem lab's equipment can confirm the origin. That's why every diamond we sell comes with a lab certificate, and most carry their report number laser-inscribed on the girdle.

They are the two ways to grow a diamond: CVD (chemical vapour deposition) and HPHT (high pressure, high temperature). Both make real diamonds, and neither is better in itself. Judge the stone, not the method.

Yes. Both rate 10 on the hardness scale and are made for everyday wear. Like any diamond, a hard knock can chip one, especially at a sharp point or corner.

No. Like a natural diamond, it keeps its colour and clarity for life. A diamond that looks cloudy is almost always just dirty: a gentle cleaning brings the sparkle back.

It depends on your budget and what the stone means to you. Lab-grown gives you a larger or finer diamond for the same budget. Natural is rare and formed by nature. Not sure? Ask our gemologist.

We don't sell diamonds as an investment. Lab-grown prices tend to fall over time, and most diamonds, natural or lab-grown, resell for well below what they cost. Choose the diamond you love.

Yes. Our natural diamonds come from suppliers who follow the Kimberley Process and the System of Warranties, which keep conflict diamonds out of the trade.

Some lab-grown diamonds receive a treatment after growth to improve their colour, and the certificate always says so. We don't sell clarity-enhanced (fracture-filled) diamonds.

Yes. Our search includes fancy-colour diamonds, such as yellow, pink and blue, in both natural and lab-grown. Filter by colour to see them.

Cut, colour, clarity and carat. Cut is how well the diamond returns light. Colour is how white it is. Clarity is how few inclusions it has. Carat is its weight.

Cut. It drives the sparkle, and a well-cut diamond can look brighter and even larger than a heavier, poorly cut one. Choose the cut first, then balance colour, clarity and size within your budget.

D to F are colourless, G to J look near-colourless. G or H is a popular balance of whiteness and price. In yellow or rose gold, a slightly warmer grade still looks white.

Aim for "eye-clean": no inclusions visible without magnification. In round, oval and other brilliant shapes, VS2 or SI1 is often enough. Emerald and Asscher cuts show more, so go higher. Ask us to confirm a stone is eye-clean.

Carat is weight, not size: one carat is 0.20 grams. Two diamonds of the same weight can look different in size because of their shape and cut. A stone just under a round number, like 0.90 ct, often costs noticeably less.

Not usually. Fluorescence is a glow under UV light. None to medium rarely changes how a diamond looks. Strong fluorescence can make some stones look slightly hazy, so check the video or ask our gemologist.

Polish is the finish of the facets; symmetry is how precisely they line up. Both appear on the certificate. Excellent or Very Good is what you want.

Round gives the most sparkle. Oval, pear and marquise look larger and lengthen the finger. Cushion feels soft and vintage. Emerald and Asscher give broad, mirror-like flashes. See our shape guide to compare them.

Elongated shapes, especially marquise, oval and pear, show more surface than a round of the same carat weight.

A dark band across the centre of some oval, pear, marquise and heart diamonds. The certificate can't show it, so watch the 360° video of the stone or ask our gemologist.

There's no rule. Set a budget you're comfortable with. Lab-grown diamonds of excellent quality start around $1,000. Tell our gemologist your budget and we'll suggest the stones we would pick.

Yes. Our gemologist will look at any stone and tell you honestly whether it's a good one. We answer within one business day, in English or French, by email, phone or text.

Often, yes. Send us the shape, size and grades you want, and we'll look for a match with our suppliers.

Yes. Add diamonds to Compare to see their grades, measurements, prices and Diamond Scores next to each other.

Yes. Every diamond comes with a certificate from an independent gem lab: GIA, IGI or HRD. You can see it on the diamond's page before you buy.

All three are respected independent labs. GIA is the reference for natural diamonds, IGI grades most lab-grown diamonds, and HRD is a leading European lab. Compare the stone and its report, not just the lab's name.

Enter the report number on the lab's own website (GIA Report Check, IGI Verify Your Report or HRD's search). The details must match the certificate we show you.

A tiny report number engraved on the diamond's edge (girdle), visible under magnification. It links the stone to its certificate. Our gemologist checks it in Montreal before every diamond ships to you.

Our gemologist rates the cut, colour and clarity on the certificate from 1 to 100 each, then combines them into one score from 1 to 100. It turns a complex certificate into one simple answer: is this a good stone?

No. The lab grades the diamond; the Score reads that certificate for you. Use both, plus the 360° video, to choose.

No. A certificate describes the diamond's grades. An appraisal estimates its replacement value for insurance. We don't issue appraisals, but any independent appraiser can prepare one from your certificate and invoice.

Yes. Jouwell is a Montreal business (9180-0102 Québec Inc.) at 620 Cathcart. Every diamond is certified, shown in a 360° video, checked by our gemologist in Montreal, and shipped to you insured.

Yes, online. Every diamond has a 360° video of the exact stone, its certificate and its Diamond Score. Have a question about what you see? Ask our gemologist.

No. Jouwell sells online only and has no showroom. Our Montreal office is where our gemologist checks each diamond before it ships to you.

Yes. Every price is in CAD and includes insured shipping and duties. Sales taxes are added at checkout.

The taxes of the province you ship to: GST, HST, or GST and QST in Quebec (14.975% in total). They're calculated at checkout.

No. Our prices are set fairly and shown openly, so we don't negotiate. We're happy to help you find the best stone within your budget.

By credit card at checkout: all major cards are accepted through our secure payment system. Your card is held, not charged, until our supplier confirms the stone.

Our diamonds are live inventory. We hold the amount on your card while our supplier confirms the stone, then charge it. If the stone can't be confirmed, we release the hold and you pay nothing. Your bank decides how fast a released hold disappears.

Not for now. Saving a diamond to your favourites keeps it handy, but doesn't reserve it, and it can sell to another buyer. If you love a stone, order it.

Not at this time. You can pay with your credit card, including any instalment plan your card issuer offers.

No. You can buy a single diamond.

Not yet: Jouwell sells loose diamonds, and engagement rings are coming. Any jeweller can set your diamond. For a custom ring design, we recommend Sawaiia (sawaiia.com).

No. We sell and ship to Canadian addresses only.

We can't rush delivery. Allow up to 10 business days after confirmation, and order at least two weeks before your date.

Contact us right away. Before our supplier confirms the stone, we can cancel and release the hold on your card. Once confirmed, the return policy for that diamond applies.

Nothing. Insured shipping anywhere in Canada and import duties are included in the price.

Up to 10 business days after your order is confirmed. We email you the tracking number when it ships.

From our supplier to our Montreal office, where our gemologist checks it against its certificate and laser inscription. Then it ships to you, insured.

No. Duties are already paid by us and included in the price. Nothing to pay at the door.

Yes. An adult must sign, so we can't ship to a post office box. Choose a home or office address where someone can sign.

Choose an address where your partner won't open the parcel, like your office, and where an adult can sign for it.

Contact us right away with your order number. Every parcel is insured, and we'll make it right.

We don't send it. We tell you, and you choose: a full refund, or a similar stone our gemologist suggests.

It depends on the stone. Lab-grown diamonds marked "Returnable – 5 days" can be returned within 5 days of delivery. Natural diamonds and stones marked "Final sale" can't be returned. Each diamond's page shows which applies.

Our suppliers don't take natural diamonds back. That's why you get everything before you buy: the certificate, the Diamond Score, the 360° video of the exact stone, and our gemologist's honest opinion.

Contact us within 5 days of delivery and choose "My order or a return". We email you a free, insured label. Send the diamond back loose and unaltered, with its certificate and original packaging.

No. The return label is free and insured, and nothing is deducted from your refund: no restocking fee, no shipping charge.

Within 5 business days after the diamond passes inspection in Montreal, refunded in full to your original card.

We don't do exchanges. If your diamond is marked "Returnable – 5 days", return it for a refund and order the stone you prefer.

No. A returnable diamond must come back loose and unaltered. Take your time to decide before having it set.

No. You can check out as a guest. An account lets you save favourites and keep your details for next time.

Click "Add to favourites" on any diamond. Log in or create a free account to keep them. Favourites don't reserve a stone.

Click "Log in", then "Forgot password?". We'll email you a link to reset it.

No. We never sell your data, and our suppliers never receive your name or address. See our privacy policy.

Yes. The whole site and our gemologist work in English and French. Switch languages at the top of any page.

Click "Unsubscribe" at the bottom of any of our emails.

Yes. Any jeweller can set it. Give them the certificate so the setting matches the stone's exact measurements, not just its carat weight.

A bezel protects the edge best. Pear, marquise, princess and heart shapes need a prong or V-prong on each point or corner.

Ask your home insurer about a jewellery rider, or a dedicated jewellery policy. Keep your certificate and invoice: insurers usually ask for them, and sometimes for an appraisal.

Soak it in warm water with a drop of mild dish soap, brush gently with a soft toothbrush, rinse and dry with a lint-free cloth. Have your ring checked by a jeweller about once a year.

Yes. A diamond resists scratches better than anything, but a hard knock can chip it, especially at a point or corner. Remove your ring for sports, gardening and heavy work.

In its own soft pouch or box compartment, away from other jewellery. Diamonds scratch other gems and each other. Keep the certificate and invoice in a safe place.