East West Oval Cut Lab Grown Diamond Solitaire Ring in Silver, 10K, 14K and 18K Gold

An oval cut laboratory grown diamond turned ninety degrees and set across the finger rather than along it. Same stone, same four claws, completely different ring. East west setting takes the most familiar engagement shape in the world and makes it look new.

At a glance

• Centre stone: Oval cut laboratory grown diamond, set east west
• Carat options: 2, 3, 4 and 5 carat
• Colour and clarity: E colour, VVS2 clarity
• Certificate: IGI, included free
• Setting: Four claws, stone set horizontally across the band
• Band: Slim and plain
• Metals: 925 silver, 10K, 14K and 18K gold in yellow, rose and white
• Made: To order in Surat, India

What east west changes

A north south oval lengthens the finger, which is why it is the default. Turned sideways, the stone does the opposite job: it follows the line of the knuckles and reads as a horizontal band of light across the hand. The effect is more modern, less expected, and it sits naturally beside other rings stacked on the same finger.

There is a practical difference too. Worn east west, the long edges of the oval face forward and back rather than up and down the finger, so the stone sits lower against the hand in profile and catches less on gloves, pockets and hair.

Why an oval works sideways

An oval is a brilliant cut stretched along one axis, so it spreads wider from above than a round of the same weight. Set east west, that spread runs across the finger and covers it edge to edge at the larger sizes. From 3 carat upward the stone reaches across most of the width of a typical finger, which is where the horizontal look is at its strongest.

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. White metal keeps the look clean and architectural, yellow gold softens the horizontal line and feels more vintage, and rose gold sits between the two. 10K is the hardest alloy, 14K is the everyday balance, and 18K is the richest colour but the softest metal. 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. It is included free with every metal and every carat weight.

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. An east west head has to be built for its orientation, with the claws positioned for a stone lying across the shank rather than along it, so we make it after you order. We cut the seat for your centre stone and finish the ring by hand for your carat weight and finger size. Allow two to three weeks for making, plus shipping.

Looking after it

Warm water, mild washing up liquid and a soft toothbrush will keep it bright. Brush underneath the stone, where soap collects and dulls the light returning through the pavilion. Rinse and dry with a soft cloth, and take it off for the gym, gardening and swimming.

Custom orders

We can change the prongs, the band or the setting of this design. Each change is quoted individually, so contact us with what you have in mind.

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 IGI report in the box states both grades.

Does east west make the stone look smaller? No. The same diamond shows the same face up area either way. It reads wider across the finger instead of longer along it.

Does it suit short fingers? It widens the look of the finger rather than lengthening it. If lengthening is the priority, a north south oval does that job better.

Will a wedding band sit flush? Yes. The shank is plain and the head sits low, so a straight band rests close against it.

Can it be resized? Yes, freely. There is nothing set into the band.

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