Emerald Cut Lab Grown Diamond Ring on a Slim Flush Set Band in Silver, 10K, 14K and 18K Gold

An emerald cut laboratory grown diamond in four fine claws on a very slim band, with small round diamonds set flush into the shoulders at intervals rather than packed edge to edge. Between each accent the metal is left plain, so the band reads as a thin gold line punctuated by points of light.

At a glance

• Centre stone: Emerald 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 fine claws on a slim band with spaced flush set accents
• Accent stones: Round laboratory grown diamonds, E colour, VVS2
• Metals: 925 silver, 10K, 14K and 18K gold in yellow, rose and white
• Made: To order in Surat, India

Spaced, not paved

Continuous pave gives a band a solid line of glitter and adds visual weight. Setting the same stones with gaps between them does the opposite: each one is read separately, the gold stays visible, and the ring keeps the delicacy of a plain wire. It is also more comfortable, since there are no raised grains running the length of the shank.

Flush set for daily wear

Each accent is set into the metal rather than held above it, with the surface of the stone level with the surface of the band. Nothing protrudes, nothing snags, and there are no claws on the shoulders to wear down over years of being worn against another ring.

A fine band under a large stone

Keeping the shank thin makes the emerald cut look larger by comparison, which is the oldest trick in ring design and still the most effective. It does mean the band is delicate, and we would not recommend it if you work with your hands and never take rings off.

The emerald cut

A step cut, with rows of long parallel facets rather than the many small triangles of a brilliant. Instead of fine sparkle you get broad flashes and a clear view into the stone, which is why colour and clarity matter more on this shape than any other. Ours are E colour and VVS2.

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, 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. The accents are matched to the same E and VVS2 grade.

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. Flush setting into a band this thin is the difficult part: each seat is drilled and burnished by hand, and the metal has to be moved over the stone without distorting the shank. Allow two to three weeks for making, plus shipping.

About the photographs

The photographs on the hand show this ring worn with a second band. That band is a separate piece and is not included.

Looking after it

Warm water, mild washing up liquid and a soft toothbrush, brushing behind the centre stone and across the flush set accents. A flush set band collects very little. Take it off for the gym, gardening and swimming.

Questions we are asked

What colour and clarity are the diamonds? The centre stone and every accent are E colour and VVS2 clarity, on all metals and all carat weights.

Does the carat weight include the accents? No. The 2, 3, 4 and 5 carat options refer to the centre emerald cut. The band diamonds are in addition.

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

Is a thin band strong enough for a large stone? At two and three carats, comfortably. At four and five we thicken the shank slightly behind the setting, which is not visible from above but makes a real difference to how long the ring stays round.

Will a wedding band sit flush? Yes. The shoulders are flat and the accents are level with the surface, so a straight band sits against it without rubbing on raised settings.

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

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