The Montare Journal

Diamond Clarity Explained: From VVS to SI
Diamond clarity from FL to I, explained — what the grades mean, what 'eye-clean' really is, and where the smart money sits. Read more...
Oval Cut Diamonds: The Complete Guide
Oval diamonds look larger per carat and flatter the finger — but watch the bow-tie. The complete guide to choosing an oval. Read more...
Hidden Halo Engagement Rings: The Complete Guide
A hidden halo tucks a ring of tiny diamonds beneath the centre stone — extra sparkle and a touch more size, with a clean face. The complete guide. Read more...
Platinum vs White Gold for Engagement Rings
Platinum and white gold look almost identical — the real differences are durability, maintenance, skin sensitivity and price. A clear guide to choosing. Read more...
How Lab-Grown Diamonds Are Made: CVD vs HPHT
How lab-grown diamonds are made — the HPHT and CVD methods explained simply, how long a diamond takes to grow, and why the growth method does not change the stone you wear. Read more...
Toi et Moi Rings: Meaning, History & How to Design Yours
MBy The Montare Diamond Desk · Founder-led in Toronto, 30+ years of family craftsmanship. Every diamond is personally reviewed before it ships.Published June 14, 2026 · Updated July 17, 2026 · 4 min read IGI-certified diamonds Triple Excellent standard Lifetime setting upgrades Free, fully insured shipping Made to order in Toronto Few engagement rings carry as much meaning in as little metal as the toi et moi. French for “you and me,” it sets two diamonds side by side — one for each person in the story. It is intimate,... Read more...
Diamond Consultation: What to Expect and How to Book
MBy The Montare Diamond Desk · Founder-led in Toronto, 30+ years of family craftsmanship. Every diamond is personally reviewed before it ships.Published June 14, 2026 · Updated July 17, 2026 · 5 min read IGI-certified diamonds Triple Excellent standard Lifetime setting upgrades Free, fully insured shipping Made to order in Toronto Buying a diamond is one of the most significant purchases most people make — and yet most jewellers expect you to do it alone, clicking “add to cart” on a five-figure ring without ever speaking to a person. A... Read more...
Engagement Ring Settings Explained: Solitaire, Halo, Cathedral & More
MBy The Montare Diamond Desk · Founder-led in Toronto, 30+ years of family craftsmanship. Every diamond is personally reviewed before it ships.Published June 14, 2026 · Updated July 17, 2026 · 6 min read IGI-certified diamonds Triple Excellent standard Lifetime setting upgrades Free, fully insured shipping Made to order in Toronto Diamond shape and ring setting are two different decisions, and it helps to separate them. The shape is the diamond itself — round, oval, emerald and so on. The setting is how that diamond is held and framed by... Read more...
Buying Lab-Grown Diamonds in Canada: Prices, Value & What to Know
MBy The Montare Diamond Desk · Founder-led in Toronto, 30+ years of family craftsmanship. Every diamond is personally reviewed before it ships.Published June 14, 2026 · Updated July 17, 2026 · 5 min read IGI-certified diamonds Triple Excellent standard Lifetime setting upgrades Free, fully insured shipping Made to order in Toronto Lab-grown diamonds have gone from niche to mainstream in Canada, and for good reason: they are chemically and optically identical to mined diamonds, independently certified, and a fraction of the price. If you are shopping for a lab-grown diamond... Read more...
Cathedral Setting Engagement Rings: The Complete Guide
MBy The Montare Diamond Desk · Founder-led in Toronto, 30+ years of family craftsmanship. Every diamond is personally reviewed before it ships.Published June 14, 2026 · Updated July 17, 2026 · 6 min read IGI-certified diamonds Triple Excellent standard Lifetime setting upgrades Free, fully insured shipping Made to order in Toronto The cathedral setting is one of the most recognisable — and most misunderstood — engagement ring designs. If you have searched for a “cathedral engagement ring” or a “cathedral mount ring,” you have already seen its signature silhouette: graceful... Read more...
What an $11,000 Lab-Grown Ring Is Really Charging You For
Almost none of an $11,000 lab-grown ring is the diamond. The markup, layer by layer — and why buying direct is the same certified stone for far less. Read more...
IGI vs GIA for Lab-Grown Diamonds: Which Certificate Actually Matters
For a lab-grown diamond, IGI is the practical certification standard. How the two labs differ, what to read on a report, and why a certificate proves quality — not price. Read more...