Emerald Cut Lab Grown Diamond East West Split Shank Engagement Ring in Silver, 10K, 14K and 18K Gold

An emerald cut laboratory grown diamond set east west, lying across the finger rather than along it, held at its two short ends by slim claws. The band below splits into two fine rails that run either side of the stone and rejoin at the back. Nothing else is added.

At a glance

• Centre stone: Emerald 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: Claws at the short ends, on a fine double rail split shank
• Accent stones: None
• Metals: 925 silver, 10K, 14K and 18K gold in yellow, rose and white
• Made: To order in Surat, India

Why east west changes the ring

Turned sideways, a long stone stops pointing at the fingertip and starts spanning the finger. It looks wider and lower, it does not catch on a jumper cuff the way a north south emerald cut can, and it reads as quietly modern rather than traditional. The same diamond, rotated ninety degrees, becomes a different ring.

Two rails, deliberately thin

The band divides into a pair of narrow rails that frame the stone along its length and merge again behind the finger. They are kept fine on purpose: the whole point of this design is the long rectangle floating above a band that barely registers.

The emerald cut

A step cut, which means long parallel facets arranged in rows rather than the many small triangles of a brilliant. Instead of sparkle you get broad flashes of light and a clear view straight into the stone, which is why the E colour and VVS2 clarity matter here more than on any other shape. Nothing is hidden by glitter.

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. All three golds are photographed here. On so plain a setting the metal colour does most of the styling, so look at the yellow, white and rose images side by side before choosing. 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 two rails are cut from a single piece of metal and filed so they sit parallel, and the claws are set last, tight against the short ends where an emerald cut is most vulnerable. Allow two to three weeks for making, plus shipping.

Looking after it

Warm water, mild washing up liquid and a soft toothbrush, brushing under the stone and between the rails where hand cream collects. An emerald cut has open corners, so avoid knocking the ring against hard edges. 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. On a step cut this is worth paying attention to, because you can see right through the stone.

Does east west suit shorter fingers? It sits low and wide, which many people with shorter fingers prefer to a long stone pointing up the hand. Try both in the hand photographs above.

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

Will a wedding band sit flush? Yes. A straight band meets the shank cleanly because the stone sits above and across, not down the finger.

Can it be resized? Yes, at the back where the rails rejoin. One or two sizes either way is straightforward.

Can I have it set north south instead? Yes, with the stone running along the finger in the same double rail shank. Tell us when you order.

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