Cushion Cut Lab Grown Diamond Hidden Halo Engagement Ring on a Thin Band in Silver, 10K, 14K and 18K Gold

A cushion cut laboratory grown diamond held in four claws, with a hidden halo of small diamonds set into the collar beneath it and a band left completely plain and narrow. The soft, rounded square of a cushion against a band this fine is a deliberately gentle combination. Nothing about the ring has a hard edge.

At a glance

• Centre stone: Cushion cut laboratory grown diamond
• Carat options: 2, 3, 4 and 5 carat
• Colour and clarity: E colour, VVS2 clarity
• Certificate: IGI, included free
• Setting: Four claw cushion with a full hidden halo, thin plain band
• Accent stones: Round laboratory grown diamonds in the hidden halo, E colour, VVS2
• Metals: 925 silver, 10K, 14K and 18K gold in yellow, rose and white
• Made: To order in Surat, India

Why a cushion cut

A cushion is a square or slightly rectangular stone with rounded corners and softly curved sides, the shape of an old pillow, which is where the name comes from. It is faceted as a brilliant, so it sparkles freely, but the larger facets give broader, slower flashes than a round brilliant. People often describe the effect as warmer or more candlelit.

The hidden halo

Set vertically into the wall of the basket rather than around the top of the stone, the halo is invisible from above. What it does is lift the cushion clear of the finger and put a bright line underneath it, so light reaches the pavilion from every side. The silhouette from above stays a single stone.

Two tone by design

In these photographs the head is made in white metal while the band is yellow gold. Setting a colourless stone in white claws keeps the diamond reading icy, while the warm shank does the work on the finger. You can of course have the whole ring in one metal, and every variant here is made in a single alloy unless you ask us otherwise.

What laboratory grown means here

A laboratory grown diamond is a diamond. It is crystallised carbon with the same cubic structure, the same 10 on the Mohs scale, the same refractive index of 2.42 and the same dispersion as a mined stone. Ours are grown by chemical vapour deposition and high pressure high temperature methods, then cut and polished by hand. This is not moissanite, not cubic zirconia and not a simulant. A gemmologist testing it will read diamond, because it is diamond.

Metals

Choose 925 sterling silver, or 10K, 14K or 18K gold in yellow, rose or white. On a band this narrow we would gently suggest 10K or 14K, which are harder alloys and hold a thin shank better over years of daily wear. 18K gives the richest colour but is the softest. White gold is rhodium plated and will want replating every one to two years.

Every centre stone arrives IGI certified

The centre diamond is graded by IGI, the International Gemological Institute, and the certificate comes with the ring at no extra charge. It states the carat weight, the E colour grade, the VVS2 clarity grade, the measurements and the girdle inscription, and confirms in writing that the stone is laboratory grown.

Made to order in our own workshop

Mapple Gems is a family run workshop in Surat, India, where most of the world's diamonds are cut and polished. A cushion has curved sides, so its hidden halo has to curve with them rather than sit in a straight line. Each stone goes in by hand under a microscope. Allow two to three weeks for making, plus shipping.

Looking after it

Warm water, mild washing up liquid and a soft toothbrush. Turn the ring over and brush the hidden halo, which is where soap gathers unseen. Take it off for the gym, gardening and swimming.

Questions we are asked

What colour and clarity is the diamond? Every centre stone is E colour and VVS2 clarity, on every metal and every carat weight. The halo stones are matched to the same grade.

Does a cushion look bigger or smaller than a round of the same weight? Slightly smaller face up, because a cushion carries more of its weight in depth. It makes up for it with a softer outline and broader flashes of light.

Is the certificate really free? Yes. The IGI report for the centre stone is included in the price on every variant.

Will a wedding band sit flush against it? Very nearly. The band is straight and plain, so a slim straight band sits close beneath the halo.

Can it be resized? Yes, easily. No stones are set in the shank.

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