MONTARE Education
Buy with
complete confidence.
Most people spend more time researching a phone than a diamond. We think that's backwards. Everything you need to know — clearly explained, honestly presented.
Start LearningThe 4C's of Diamonds
The four things that actually matter.
Cut, Color, Clarity, and Carat. Every diamond is evaluated on these four factors. Understanding them is the difference between a confident purchase and an expensive guess.
The most important of the 4C's. Determines how much light returns through the top of the diamond — its brilliance, fire, and scintillation.
Measures the absence of color in a white diamond. The less color, the rarer and more valuable the stone.
Refers to the presence of natural inclusions within the diamond. Eye-clean stones are the target.
The unit of weight for diamonds. One carat equals 0.2 grams. Larger stones are exponentially rarer.
The Most Important C
Cut — the one that controls everything else.
A diamond can have perfect color and clarity and still look lifeless if the cut is poor. Cut determines how light enters, bounces inside, and returns to your eye. It's what makes a diamond alive.
IGI grades cut on five levels. At MONTARE, we only work with diamonds that achieve Excellent in Cut, Polish, and Symmetry — what the industry calls Triple Excellent. This represents less than 3% of all diamonds graded.
Cut quality directly determines the amount of light returned through the top of the stone. The difference between Excellent and Very Good is visible to the naked eye.
Diamond Color
Color — the absence of it is the goal.
Diamond color is graded from D (completely colorless) to Z (noticeable yellow or brown tint). In white diamonds, color is the absence of color — the less you see, the better.
At MONTARE, we work exclusively with D and E color diamonds. This ensures your stone faces up perfectly white in any metal, under any light.
Diamond Clarity
Clarity — what's inside the stone.
Both natural and lab-grown diamonds form under extreme conditions, resulting in tiny internal characteristics called inclusions. Clarity grades how many and how noticeable these are.
The goal is an eye-clean diamond. MONTARE sets the bar higher: we work with VVS1 and VVS2 stones, where inclusions are nearly impossible to detect even under 10x magnification.
Diamond Carat
Carat — size is about more than weight.
Carat is a unit of weight — one carat equals 200 milligrams. But carat weight doesn't directly equal visual size. Two diamonds of the same weight can look very different depending on their shape and cut proportions.
This is why MONTARE specifies minimum weights alongside strict cut standards. A poorly proportioned 4ct diamond can face up smaller than a well-cut 3ct stone. We control both.
1.0ct≈ 6.5mm2.0ct≈ 8.1mm3.0ct≈ 9.4mm4.0ct≈ 10.3mm5.0ct≈ 11.1mmElongated shapes like oval and marquise can appear larger than their carat weight suggests.
The MONTARE Standard
Every diamond must meet these criteria. No exceptions.
These are not flexible targets. They are the floor, not the ceiling. Every diamond is then further evaluated for real-world light performance and visual quality.
| Shape | Depth % | Table % |
|---|---|---|
| Round | 59 – 62.5% | 54 – 57% |
| Cushion | 61 – 67% | 58 – 62% |
| Emerald | 61 – 67% | 62 – 66% |
| Oval | 58 – 62% | 54 – 58% |
| Pear | 58 – 62% | 54 – 58% |
| Radiant | 61 – 67% | 62 – 66% |
| Marquise | 58 – 62% | 54 – 58% |
Diamond Shape Guide
Your shape says something about you.
Shape is the silhouette — the first thing anyone sees. It determines the personality of the ring, how it sits on the finger, and how it catches light.
The benchmark for brilliance. More facets than any other shape, engineered for maximum light return. Timeless and universally flattering.
An elongated silhouette that makes fingers appear longer and leaner. Brilliant faceting with a softer, more distinctive look.
Rounded corners on a square or rectangular outline. Larger facets give a different kind of brilliance — open and romantic.
Step-cut facets create a hall-of-mirrors effect. Less brilliance than round, more depth and drama.
Pointed at one end, rounded at the other. Creates an exceptionally elegant, lengthening effect on the finger.
Two pointed ends on an elongated oval. Maximizes visual size and creates a dramatically feminine silhouette.
A rectangular outline with brilliant faceting. The best of both worlds — the structure of an emerald, the fire of a round.
Every shape looks different on every hand. Book a private appointment and we'll help you find your perfect match.
Lab-Grown Diamonds
Same diamond. Different origin story.
Lab-grown diamonds are not simulants, not fakes, and not cubic zirconia. They are real diamonds — with the same chemical composition, the same physical properties, and the same optical performance as mined diamonds.
The only difference is where they were created.
We specialize in lab-grown diamonds — certified by IGI, held to the same D/E color, VVS clarity, and Triple Excellent cut standards as any stone we carry. We occasionally work with natural diamonds as well. The quality bar doesn't move either way.
Diamond Certification
A certificate is only as good as who issued it.
Every diamond should come with an independent grading report. Because MONTARE specializes in lab-grown diamonds, IGI is our primary certification partner.
The world's leading certifier of lab-grown diamonds — and MONTARE's standard. IGI grades every stone on the full 4C scale with rigorous, consistent standards. Every MONTARE diamond comes with an IGI certificate.
MONTARE StandardGIA created the 4C grading system and is respected for natural diamond certification. For lab-grown diamonds, IGI has surpassed GIA as the more consistent grading authority.
For Natural DiamondsRing Metals Guide
Better gold, better construction.
The quality of a ring depends not only on how it is made, but on what it is made from. At MONTARE, we use high-quality 14K and 18K gold blends chosen for a superior balance of beauty, strength, and durability.
The metal is not just a foundation. It contributes to the durability, structure, feel, and finish of the final piece.
Both 14K and 18K are available in Yellow Gold, White Gold, and Rose Gold. Each colour is offered across all MONTARE settings — Solitaire, Halo, Tulip, Pavé Band, Bezel, and Cathedral.
Ring Sizing Guide
Getting the fit right.
A ring should slide on with slight resistance and sit comfortably without spinning. Here's how to find your size with confidence.
Method 1: Measure an Existing Ring
Place a ring that fits the correct finger on a ruler and measure the inside diameter in millimetres. Match it to the chart.
Method 2: Use a String
Wrap a thin strip of paper or string around the finger snugly. Mark where it overlaps, measure the length in millimetres, and divide by 3.14 to get the diameter.
Method 3: Visit a Jeweller
Any local jeweller can measure ring size for free. This is the most accurate method, especially for surprise proposals.
Every MONTARE ring comes with complimentary resizing. If the fit isn't perfect, we'll adjust it at no charge.
| US Size | Diameter (mm) | Circumference (mm) |
|---|---|---|
| 4 | 14.9 | 46.8 |
| 4.5 | 15.3 | 48.0 |
| 5 | 15.7 | 49.3 |
| 5.5 | 16.1 | 50.6 |
| 6 | 16.5 | 51.9 |
| 6.5 | 16.9 | 53.1 |
| 7 | 17.3 | 54.4 |
| 7.5 | 17.7 | 55.7 |
| 8 | 18.1 | 56.9 |
| 8.5 | 18.5 | 58.2 |
| 9 | 18.9 | 59.5 |
Craftsmanship
Precision in every detail. Excellence in every finish.
At MONTARE, craftsmanship is where our standards become visible. It is the difference between a ring that simply looks beautiful and one that is truly built beautifully.
Every MONTARE setting is microset under a microscope — a technique that allows our craftsmen to work with a level of precision that standard setting methods cannot match.
Craftsmanship is not an extra at MONTARE. It is the foundation.
How to Buy at MONTARE
Six steps to the right ring.
We don't believe in pressure, upselling, or confusion. Our process is built around giving you the information you need to make a decision you'll feel great about.
You're already doing this. Understanding the 4C's means you walk in knowing what to look for. Knowledge is protection.
Shape is personal. Round for maximum brilliance. Oval for length. Emerald for drama. We'll help you narrow it down based on your priorities.
MONTARE minimums exist for a reason. But within those, we'll find the combination that works for your budget and priorities.
Six setting styles, each in 14K or 18K gold. The setting should complement the stone, not compete with it.
Every order comes with a certificate. You'll review specifications before anything is confirmed. We contact you throughout the process.
Your ring is built by hand. Every setting inspected under magnification. Every stone verified against its certificate. This is where our standards become visible.
Frequently Asked Questions
The questions everyone
actually wants answered.
Ready when you are
You know what
to look for. We'll find it.
Every MONTARE piece starts with a conversation. Tell us what you're looking for and we'll handle the rest — with honesty, precision, and no pressure.
Your Collection