Journal

Few things are tougher than a diamond. Practically indestructible, they can cut through other stones and metals. And a diamond can only be cut using another diamond. Pretty impressive.

But that doesn’t mean diamonds are invincible. Even the most brilliant diamonds can, over time, lose their sparkle. The key to keeping your diamond jewellery looking as good as the day you first wore it is proper care and cleaning. And we’re going to tell you how.

From food to fashion and everything in between. Shopping online is quick, convenient and the choice is, quite simply, staggering. 

But, without seeing something “IRL” (in real life) how do you know it’s good quality or true to its online description? And, with more people concerned with shopping sustainably and more brands claiming to be sustainable, how do you know which sites are legitimate? Are they truly ethical? Or are they just ‘greenwashing’?

Artist Mary Engelbreit once said:

“Don’t ever save anything for a special occasion. Being alive is the special occasion”. 

Gone are the days of saving your best jewellery for a ‘special occasion’. Life is short. It’s time to make the most of every day. No more waiting for the right moment to wear something that makes you smile.

Find gifts for everyone on your Christmas shopping list, with our curated selection of fine jewellery gift ideas. Shop our sustainable fine jewellery collection.

We all have someone who’s hard to buy for. It’s the same story every year. If you’re still on the hunt for the perfect present, we’re here to help out, with gift ideas for even the most difficult to buy for friend or relative. Prepare to be inspired...

The sprouts are on the shelves, the annual competition for the best ad has begun and Mariah is streaming through shopping centre sound systems. We think it’s finally safe to start talking about...Christmas. Christmas presents to be precise. If you’re through with giving gifts that end up shoved in the back of the wardrobe, this post is for you. Let’s shift the focus this year onto supporting independent brands who care about sustainability...

Searching for the perfect set of hoops to complete your look? Take at glance at our selection of sustainable hoop earrings. From wardrobe staples to night out sensations, we’ve got the pair for you.

Featuring an array of lab-grown diamonds set in solid recycled 14k gold in an elegant curl shape, these earrings are named after Lake Como in Italy, which is synonymous with luxury, glitz and charm.

The air’s a little cooler and the leaves are turning red. Autumn (or ‘fall’ if you’re in the U.S) is finally here, which means Libra season is upon us. 

Libras are born between 23rd September and 22nd October. They’re social butterflies who desire connection, beauty and fairness. Some of our favourite celebrity Libras include Serena Williams, Brie Larson and Alexandra Ocasio-Cortez.

A big part of our ethos is designing beautiful, sustainable fine jewellery that can be worn - not just on special occasions - but every day. We make certain that each piece in our range is of the highest quality, able to withstand daily wear, while retaining its beauty. All of our pieces can be effortlessly dressed up or down. From an afternoon coffee date to a fancy dinner. Or the office to the dancefloor. Or simply worn around the house, complete with slippers and a mug of tea in hand.

A question we hear a lot is - why are lab-grown diamonds cheaper than mined diamonds? And given that we’re all about transparency and helping educate our customers about sustainable diamonds, we’re going to get into it here and now. It’s true. Lab-grown diamonds (and other lab-grown gemstones) are less expensive than their mined counterparts. In fact, a lab-grown diamond costs around 30-40% less than a mined diamond... 

To transform stones into the sparkly gems we love, they have to be cut to shape. When it comes to finding a piece of jewellery you or a loved one will cherish for years to come, there’s plenty of different cuts to choose from - each with their own unique flair. So, with that in mind, here’s your ultimate illi guide to gemstone cuts and their meanings...

We don’t know about you, but lately, we’ve been dreaming of a luxury getaway. A change of scenery and a chance to explore somewhere new.

A love of travel and a passion for sustainability are at the heart of illi. So, we’re continuing our series of travel-themed pieces with a look at some of Europe's most luxurious eco-friendly hotels...

Thanks to the efforts of campaigners, people are wising up to the fact that the sparkling gems they admire might have cost more than their jewellery store price tag. We’re talking about environmental destruction, human rights abuses and conflict.

But what are ‘sustainable diamonds’? What does it mean for a diamond to be sustainable or ethical?...