1. Physical examination
Where a piece passes through our hands, it is examined under a 10× loupe and, for coloured stones, a refractometer and a dichroscope. We photograph inclusions rather than describing them, because “eye-clean” is a marketing word and a photograph is not. We weigh metal content on a calibrated scale where the setting allows it, and we measure the actual dimensions of a stone against the numbers on its certificate.
What we cannot test: we do not have a laboratory, so we cannot issue or independently verify grading reports. When we cite a grade, it is the grade on a report from GIA, IGI, HRD or AGS — and we say which one, because they are not interchangeable.
2. Certificate and specification review
We read the full report, not the headline grade. Two stones can both be “G colour, VS2” and look nothing alike, because fluorescence, cut proportions, graining and surface-reaching inclusions all sit below that summary line. Where a brand publishes proportions, we check them against the cut-grade boundaries in the GIA system.
3. Price verification
We record list prices we have actually observed, with the date. We do not quote “MSRP” figures that no retailer honours, and we do not use the crossed-out anchor prices common in flash-sale marketing. Where a piece is frequently discounted, we say so and give the realistic street price instead of the list price.
4. Owner feedback at scale
Manufacturer specifications describe a new product. Owner reviews describe it after eighteen months. We read them in volume and look for patterns rather than individual complaints — a single report of a loose prong is noise; forty reports across three retailers is a design problem, and we will name it.
5. Durability and wear reasoning
Finally we ask how the piece will fail. Prong thickness, alloy hardness on the Mohs and Vickers scales, whether a stone is set proud enough to catch on knitwear, whether a clasp is rated for the weight hanging from it. This is where a piece that photographs beautifully often loses to a plainer one — and we will tell you that plainly.
How we rank
Rankings are decided on four weighted criteria:
| Criterion | What it means |
|---|---|
| Material honesty | Does the specification mean what a reasonable buyer would assume it means? Undisclosed treatments, vague origin claims and “gold tone” language all cost points. |
| Build quality | Setting security, alloy suitability, clasp and finish durability. |
| Value at the actual price | Performance measured against street price, not list price. |
| Service and aftercare | Warranty terms, resizing policy, and whether repairs are done in-house. |
Independence and corrections
We do not accept payment for placement, and no brand sees a guide before publication. Affiliate relationships never enter the ranking. Where we get something wrong, we correct it and note the correction rather than quietly editing — write to editors@auroraadorned.com.
See also our affiliate disclosure and editorial standards.