A Rolex already says plenty on its own. Add diamonds, and it becomes something else entirely, as much a piece of jewelry as a watch. So let's look at what actually separates a diamond Rolex from ordinary bling, from the stones themselves to the way they are set.
What kind of diamonds does Rolex use?
Rolex does not cut corners on the stones. Every diamond on a Rolex is internally flawless, or IF, meaning no inclusions show up even under 10x magnification. That is about as clean as a diamond gets.
Color matters just as much. Diamonds are not all colorless; they run from bright white to noticeable tints. Rolex sticks to the top of that range, using only D to G color grades, so the stones stay bright whether they are set in yellow gold, white gold, or platinum.
Rolex even matches the color to the metal. In yellow gold, a slightly warmer G-grade diamond blends with the gold. In white gold and platinum, it reaches for the whitest D-grade stones to play up that cool, icy look.
How Rolex sets its diamonds
Picking great diamonds is only half of it. The other half is how they are set. Rolex pairs skilled hand-setting with technology so each stone sits where it will catch the most light.
Two setting styles do most of the work:
- Four-claw setting. Small prongs hold each stone with as little metal as possible, so more light passes through the diamond and it reads brighter.
- Channel setting. For a smoother look, smaller diamonds sit in a channel with no prongs, held snugly side by side. Every stone is matched in size, sorted by computer, so the row looks perfectly even.
The appeal of a diamond Rolex
Each diamond-set Rolex is really two things at once: a serious watch and a genuine piece of jewelry. The clarity, the color, and the setting all work together so the stones do the talking without ever looking gaudy. That is the difference between a watch with some diamonds on it and a proper diamond Rolex.
If you are around Bethesda or elsewhere in the DMV and want to see a diamond Rolex in person, where photos really do not do the sparkle justice, come take a look. We buy and sell certified pre-owned Rolex, gem-set models included. Browse what is in stock in our Rolex collection.
