Our Material

At Shah Diamonds, we take pride in using only the highest-quality materials in each piece, ensuring every design is both timeless and enduring. From precious metals to carefully sourced gemstones, our craftsmanship brings together luxury, beauty, and sustainability.

Precious Metals

Gold:

Gold is treasured for its rich color and resistance to tarnishing, making it the perfect metal for fine jewelry. While pure gold (24K) is soft and malleable, we alloy it with other metals to give it the strength and durability required for long-lasting wear.

  • 14K Gold (58.5% pure gold): Known for its perfect balance between luxury and durability, 14K gold is used in most of our everyday wear designs. This alloyed gold is less prone to scratching and ensures secure settings for gemstones.
  • 18K Gold (75% pure gold): Though softer than 14K, 18K gold offers a richer hue and is often used in select pieces where color takes precedence. This gold remains durable enough for everyday use.
  • 22K Gold (91.6% pure gold): We use 22K gold primarily for our kundan settings (refer to the glossary for more on kundan). Its higher gold content gives a more traditional, deeper yellow color.
  • 24K Gold (99.9% pure gold): This nearly pure gold is used exclusively in intricate kundan jewelry designs. Its malleability allows for detailed work, but it is typically not suitable for everyday wear due to its softness.

Platinum:

Renowned for its strength and rarity, platinum is used in select high-end pieces. It is hypoallergenic and maintains its brilliant white sheen, making it an excellent choice for engagement rings and heirloom pieces.

Diamonds

Diamonds are the epitome of luxury, and at Shah Diamonds, we meticulously select each stone for its brilliance, quality, and ethical sourcing. We use a variety of diamond cuts and colors to complement our designs.

  • Brilliant-Cut Diamonds: The classic round brilliant cut features 57 facets that maximize sparkle. This timeless cut is the pinnacle of gem cutting, offering unmatched brilliance.
  • Rose-Cut Diamonds: With a dome-shaped top and a flat base, rose-cut diamonds are a throwback to vintage designs, offering a softer, more subtle brilliance.
  • Baguette-Cut Diamonds: Rectangular in shape, baguette-cut diamonds have fewer facets than brilliant cuts but create a sleek, geometric look, often used as accent stones in modern and Art Deco-inspired pieces.
  • Marquise-Cut Diamonds: Known for their elongated shape with pointed ends, marquise diamonds make a bold statement. Their unique shape requires careful symmetry to ensure they sparkle from every angle.
  • Princess-Cut Diamonds: Square in shape, princess-cut diamonds are known for their versatility and brilliance. This modern cut is often featured in engagement rings and contemporary designs.
  • Champagne Diamonds: Naturally occurring in shades of brown and yellow, champagne diamonds add a warm, romantic tone to jewelry. Each stone is unique, with its own depth of color and character.
  • Polki/Uncut Diamonds: Also known as uncut or rough diamonds, these stones are used in traditional Indian jewelry, particularly in kundan settings. While they lack the fire of polished diamonds, their raw beauty lends a distinct charm.

Gemstones

In addition to diamonds, Shah Diamonds incorporates a diverse range of precious and semi-precious gemstones, each chosen for its beauty, durability, and symbolic significance.

  • Amethyst: A member of the quartz family, amethyst’s deep purple hue has long been associated with royalty and spirituality. It is also the birthstone for February.
  • Emerald: Known for its vivid green color, emerald is part of the beryl family and one of the most sought-after gemstones. We use ethically sourced emeralds from regions like Colombia and Russia, ensuring exceptional clarity and color.
  • Garnet: Often recognized for its deep red color, garnet can also be found in a variety of hues. It is valued for its durability and is a symbol of love and friendship.
  • Peridot: This bright green gemstone is known for its refreshing color and is found in volcanic regions. Its distinct lime hue adds a lively touch to any piece.
  • Ruby: A gemstone of passion and power, ruby’s red color comes from the mineral corundum. As one of the most durable gemstones, rubies are ideal for pieces intended to last generations.
  • Sapphire: While blue is the most famous color, sapphires come in a range of hues, from pink and yellow to the deepest black. Like rubies, sapphires are extremely durable and are often used in engagement rings and high-end pieces.
  • Tanzanite: Found only in Tanzania, tanzanite's unique blue-violet color makes it a highly prized gemstone. Its scarcity adds to its allure, making it a favorite for collectors.
  • Turquoise: Known for its distinctive blue-green hue, turquoise has been used in jewelry for centuries. It is believed to bring peace and protection to the wearer.

Pearls

We use a variety of pearls in our jewelry, each chosen for its lustrous beauty and timeless appeal.

  • South Sea Pearls: Known for their size and satin-like luster, South Sea pearls are among the most valuable pearls in the world. These pearls are typically white or golden and are prized for their rare beauty.
  • Tahitian Pearls: Also known as black pearls, Tahitian pearls come in shades ranging from dark green and grey to deep black. Cultivated in the warm waters of French Polynesia, they are valued for their iridescent sheen.
  • Freshwater Pearls: These pearls are cultivated in freshwater environments and come in a range of colors and shapes. While more affordable than saltwater pearls, their soft sheen and variety make them a popular choice.

Ethical Sourcing

At Shah Diamonds, we are committed to ensuring that all our materials are responsibly sourced. Our diamonds are conflict-free, and our gemstones and metals come from ethical suppliers. We believe in creating jewelry that not only enhances your style but also aligns with your values.