Materials Matter - Platinum, Yellow Gold, Rose Gold, Diamonds
Why platinum?
We want your ring to outlast you, that’s why we’ve chosen to set all our diamonds in Platinum. Platinum holds diamonds and other gemstones more securely than any other precious metal. It’s durable and has a rich white lustre that takes on a satiny patina with time, ensuring its authenticity and enduring value.
Not only is platinum tough as nails, it’s hypoallergenic too, making it ideal for sensitive skin and the perfect choice of metal for a lifetime of wear.
Platinum is the reason your Grandma's ring is most likely still going strong and the reason yours will also exist for generations to come.
Gold
Fun fact, all of the gold found on Earth came from the debris of dead stars.
Here at Erté Mae we only use 100% Australian gold, which is fully compliant with the LBMA, OECD and World Gold Council Conflict Gold Policies.
Our supplier is committed to responsibly and ethically sourcing their gold and can trace its precious metal supply directly to its primary source. They utilise technologically advanced, zero-emission refining and partner with their clients to meet international environmental, community, health, and industrial standards.
Let’s talk diamonds
To keep things simple, we only use diamonds that fall within the finest quality bracket of the GIA colour scale, E to F colour and VVS to VS clarity.
To further explain, when grading a diamond the variables are broken down into the following categories; cut, colour, clarity and carat.
Cut refers primarily to the shape of the diamond and the ratios between the table, crown and pavilion. Both are essential to give the stone its brilliance. Brilliance meaning how brightly it shines. Rest assured ours are bright.
Colour refers to its colour, no surprises there. E to F colour is rare white, also coined colourless, meaning clear. A diamonds sparkle comes from sunlight entering the diamond through its table and crown facets, then bouncing back up through the top. Refraction gives its colours.
Clarity refers to what’s seen within the diamond when viewed with a x10 optical loupe. VS literally means very small inclusion/s, VVS means, you guessed it, very very small inclusion/s. These are so small that they are not visible to the naked eye. This is also sometimes referred to as eye clean, although this term is normally reserved for coloured stones.
Carat (ct) and points (pts) refer to the weight of the diamond. Eg. 100pts is equal to 1ct.
The ethics surrounding the debate between natural and lab grown diamonds are complex and diverse, and include both environmental and social considerations. Many claim that lab grown diamonds are more environmentally friendly, while others argue that ethically mined diamonds provide much needed employment and have a positive impact on communities in developing countries through initiatives such as Diamonds Do Good.
Essentially, ethics are personal, so we’ve chosen to offer both natural and lab grown diamonds so that you can select a stone that aligns with your personal ethos. Our natural diamonds are ethically sourced and are Kimberley Process Certified conflict-free.
