Diamond & Metal Education

A discerning guide to the 4Cs of diamonds, earth-mined stones, and the precious metals that elevate them—18k & 22k gold and platinum.

Understanding the 4Cs of Diamonds

Every Passion by Katelyn diamond is hand-selected using the globally recognized 4C framework: cut, color, clarity, and carat.

  • Cut: The most important C. Precision cutting maximises light return, creating the signature fire and sparkle you see with the naked eye.

  • Color: We prioritise near-colourless to colourless grades that appear icy white in natural light, especially when paired with platinum or 18k white alloys.

  • Clarity: Only stones whose inclusions are not distracting in daily wear are accepted—ensuring a clean, luminous appearance.

  • Carat: Weight is balanced with proportion and cut quality so each diamond appears visually generous for its size.

Our gemologists evaluate each diamond beyond certifications, ensuring that the stone’s overall character feels harmonious, bright and refined.

How the 4Cs translate into visible beauty

Two diamonds with identical certificates can look remarkably different in person. At Passion by Katelyn, we focus on how a diamond performs in real life: under candlelight, daylight and evening settings.

  • We favour excellent to ideal cuts for maximum scintillation.

  • Colour is chosen to harmonise with the metal—warmer tones pair elegantly with 22k yellow gold.

  • Clarity is selected where inclusions are not visible without magnification, preserving a serene, mirror-like surface.

The result is a curated selection of earth diamonds whose brilliance feels effortless, timeless and quietly rare.

Earth Diamonds Only

Passion by Katelyn works exclusively with natural, earth-mined diamonds. Each stone has been formed deep within the earth’s mantle—never grown in a laboratory.

Our diamonds are sourced through trusted partners who adhere to responsible mining practices and internationally recognised traceability standards. This protects both the communities and the environments from which they are drawn.

  • Certified conflict-free sourcing.
  • Curated for rarity, proportion and light performance.
  • Matched carefully to each jewel’s design and metal tone.

Pure Gold as a Standard

We craft exclusively in high-purity gold—18k and 22k—never plated or hollow.

Pure 24k gold is naturally soft. By alloying it with select metals, we achieve 18k and 22k gold—maintaining a rich, saturated color with the durability required for fine jewellery.

  • 18k gold: 75% pure gold, 25% strengthening alloys.
  • 22k gold: 91.6% pure gold, 8.4% carefully chosen alloys.

Every Passion by Katelyn jewel is stamped with its precise purity mark, affirming the integrity of the metal you wear every day.

18k vs 22k Gold in Fine Jewellery

Both 18k and 22k gold are luxurious choices, but each serves a distinct purpose depending on how your piece is worn and whether it features diamonds or gemstones.

18k Gold – The Ideal for Stone-Set Jewellery

  • Composed of 75% pure gold and 25% alloys for enhanced strength.

  • More resistant to everyday wear, making it ideal for engagement rings and pieces with pavé or prong-set stones.

  • Holds delicate settings securely, minimising the risk of stone loss over time.

  • Offers a rich, luxurious hue while maintaining structural integrity.

For diamond-intensive designs and everyday luxury, 18k gold offers the perfect balance of warmth, durability and refinement.

22k Gold – Saturated Color, Gentle Wear

  • Contains 91.6% pure gold, resulting in a deep, opulent yellow tone.
  • Slightly softer than 18k, best suited to bangles, necklaces and statement pieces with fewer exposed stones.
  • Perfect for collectors who cherish the feel and visual richness of high-purity gold.
  • Presents a beautiful contrast when paired with cooler-toned diamonds and platinum in layered looks.

Platinum vs White Gold

For clients who prefer an icy, silvery look, platinum is our metal of choice for diamond jewellery. While white gold can appear similar at first glance, it behaves differently over time.

  • Platinum: Naturally white, dense and hypoallergenic. It does not yellow, so the metal’s cool tone remains stable for a lifetime.
  • White gold: Yellow gold mixed with white alloys and typically plated with rhodium. Over time, this plating wears and can reveal a warmer undertone, requiring maintenance.
  • Platinum’s naturally bright white colour intensifies the contrast with diamonds, allowing them to appear crisper and more brilliant.

Because platinum is both strong and malleable, it is particularly well suited to secure, fine prongs in high-value diamond settings. For engagement rings and important pieces you intend to wear daily, platinum is often the most enduring choice.

Why We Favour Platinum for Diamonds

  • Retains its white tone without replating.
  • Creates a sharp, clean frame that emphasises diamond sparkle.
  • Develops a soft patina over time that many collectors prize as a sign of true platinum.
  • Ideal for eternity bands, engagement rings and pieces where diamonds are the focus.

For clients who love the look of white metal today and decades from now, platinum delivers a quietly uncompromising standard of luxury.

Frequently Asked Questions

A brief guide to caring for your earth diamonds and precious metals so they remain luminous for generations.

Is 18k gold or 22k gold better for everyday wear?

For pieces you wear daily—especially rings and bracelets with diamonds—18k gold is usually preferable. Its 75% gold content, combined with 25% strengthening alloys, makes it more resistant to scratches and bending while still feeling luxurious on the skin. 22k gold is exquisite for special pieces and bangles but is slightly softer and better suited to designs with fewer exposed stones.

Will my platinum jewellery change colour over time?

Platinum will not yellow. It maintains its naturally white tone, making it ideal for highlighting diamonds. Over the years, platinum can develop a soft patina, which many collectors find beautiful. This patina can be polished away if you prefer a high-gloss finish.

How often should I clean my diamond jewellery?

Diamonds benefit from regular, gentle cleaning—especially if worn daily. We recommend a soft brush, mild soap and warm water at home once every 1–2 weeks, with professional cleaning and prong inspection at least once a year to ensure your stones remain secure.

Do earth diamonds look different from lab-grown diamonds?

While lab-grown and earth-mined diamonds can appear similar on paper, many collectors appreciate the rarity of natural stones—formed with unique inclusions and growth patterns. At Passion by Katelyn, we exclusively curate earth diamonds for their enduring value and natural origin.

Passion by Katelyn

Luxury jewelry in pure yellow gold and earth diamonds, crafted for those who collect meaningfully.