Elongated Cushion Cut Lab Grown Diamond Ring on a Ribbed Multi Rail Shank in Silver, 10K, 14K and 18K Gold

An elongated antique cushion cut laboratory grown diamond in four claws, on a shank built from several fine rails that run side by side and fan out as they reach the stone. Seen from the end the shank looks ribbed, almost like a length of cord, which is unusual under a stone this size.

At a glance

• Centre stone: Elongated antique 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 claws on a multi rail ribbed shank
• Accent stones: None
• Metals: 925 silver, 10K, 14K and 18K gold in yellow, rose and white
• Made: To order in Surat, India

A shank made of rails

Instead of one solid band, the shank is formed from several slim rails held together. They stay parallel around the finger and then separate slightly under the stone, so the claws appear to grow out of the band rather than being fixed on top of it. It gives a large diamond a much lighter base than a plain heavy shank would.

The antique cushion

A cushion cut is a square or rectangle with rounded sides and corners. The antique version keeps the larger, fewer facets and the open culet of the old mine cuts, which gives broad flashes of light rather than the fine glitter of a modern brilliant. Elongated, as this one is, it covers more of the finger and reads slimmer than a square cushion of the same weight.

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. This ring was photographed in yellow gold, which suits the antique cut and shows the ribbing on the shank most clearly, but every metal is made to order and priced above. 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. The rails are shaped and soldered one against the next, then filed and polished as a single piece so the grooves between them stay even the whole way round. The claws are fitted last to the measured stone. Allow two to three weeks for making, plus shipping.

Looking after it

Warm water, mild washing up liquid and a soft toothbrush. Brush along the grooves between the rails, which hold more soap than a flat band does, and behind the stone where the claws meet. 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.

Is an antique cushion less brilliant than a modern cut? It sparkles differently rather than less. Bigger facets give slower, broader flashes, which is what people mean when they call these cuts warm or candlelit.

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

Will a wedding band sit flush? Against the ribbed shank a straight band meets the high points of the rails. A band with a slight curve, or one of our shaped bands, sits closer. Ask us and we will make one to match.

Can it be resized? Yes, but the rails have to be cut and rejoined together, so we would rather make it to your size. One or two sizes of adjustment is still straightforward afterwards.

Can I have it in a square cushion instead of elongated? Yes, at the same price. Tell us when you order.

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