Quality grades explained
A, 3A, 5A, 7A, High Density Swiss: what the letters mean, and how to pick the right grade for the piece you are making.
What the letters mean
In loose CZ and similar stones, the grade describes how well a stone is cut and polished, not what it is made of. The more A’s, the tighter the standard: sharper facets, a cleaner polish and more even stones across a lot.
A grade is a trade convention, not a laboratory certificate, and different suppliers draw the lines in slightly different places. The descriptions below are the standards we sort to.
- A1 of 6
Entry commercial grade for high-volume fashion jewellery.
Cut to shape and polished, with softer facet edges and more variation from stone to stone than the higher grades. Suited to costume and fashion pieces where the stones are small or set in quantity.
- 3A2 of 6
The everyday standard for jewellery manufacturing.
Cleaner facets and a brighter polish than A, with good consistency across a lot. The usual choice for silver and plated jewellery.
Stocked in: White CZ
- 4A3 of 6
A step up from 3A in cut and polish.
Sharper facet edges and a more even polish than 3A, for pieces where the stones are seen up close.
Stocked in: White CZ
- 5A4 of 6
Top machine-cut grade: precise facets, bright polish.
Facets meet cleanly and the polish is bright, so the stone returns more light. Used in fine silver and gold, and for centre stones where the stone carries the design.
Stocked in: White CZ
- 7A5 of 6
Sorted to a tighter standard than 5A.
Cut, polish and consistency are sorted to a tighter standard than 5A. For solitaires and high-value pieces where the stone is the centre of attention.
Stocked in: White CZ
- High Density Swiss6 of 6
High density CZ, the top of our CZ range.
A denser CZ material cut to our top standard. It feels heavier in the hand than regular CZ and is chosen for pieces that sit alongside fine jewellery.
Stocked in: High Density Swiss
Choosing a grade
Match the grade to the piece. A stone that sits in a small pavé setting, seen from arm’s length, does not need the finish of a solitaire that is the centre of the design.
- Fashion and costume jewellery, high volumes: lower grades keep the cost in line with the piece.
- Silver and gold-plated jewellery sold on sparkle: mid and upper grades.
- Solitaires, centre stones and fine jewellery: the top grades.
Not sure? Send us the design and we will suggest a grade.
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