Emerald Cut Moissanite Tulip Basket Solitaire Engagement Ring

Emerald Cut Moissanite Tulip Basket Solitaire Engagement Ring

An emerald cut moissanite held in four claws above a tulip basket, which is a setting built from four curved metal petals that rise from the shank and meet under the stone. From above the ring is a plain solitaire on a slim band. From the side it has a shape, and from underneath it looks like a flower opening, which is where the name comes from and why this style has been a bench jeweller favourite for over a century.

Why this ring works

A tulip basket does something a plain open basket cannot. The curved petals brace the head in four directions rather than two, so a long emerald cut cannot rock in the setting, and they do it with less metal than a solid gallery, which keeps light flowing in from underneath. It also solves the profile problem that plain solitaires have, where the stone appears to sit on a stalk with nothing supporting it. Here the metal flows visibly from the band into the setting.

Centre stone details

• Stone type: Moissanite
• Shape: Emerald cut, elongated rectangular step cut
• Colour: Colorless
• Clarity: VVS
• Cut and polish: Excellent
• Symmetry: Excellent
• Refractive index: 2.65, higher than diamond, which is why moissanite throws more coloured fire
• Hardness: 9.25 on the Mohs scale, hard enough for daily wear
• Carat options: 2 carat, 3 carat, 4 carat and 5 carat centre stone

Setting and band

Four claw prongs grip the corners of the emerald cut. Beneath them four curved petals of metal rise from the shoulders and meet under the stone, forming the tulip basket. The shank is a plain round band of approximately one point eight millimetres, unbroken all the way around. Metal is solid throughout with a polished interior.

Metal options

Choose from recycled 925 sterling silver, or solid 10K, 14K and 18K gold in yellow, rose and white. Yellow gold, as photographed, shows the curve of the petals most clearly. White gold and sterling silver keep the whole ring cool and make the centre stone read as white as possible. Rose gold sits between the two. White gold is rhodium finished.

Ring sizing

Every ring is made to order in your size. Sizes run from 3 to 13, including half sizes. A plain shank with no stones is straightforward for a jeweller to resize later in life.

Care

The inside of a tulip basket collects lotion and needs a brush to reach. Clean every few weeks with warm water, mild dish soap and a soft toothbrush, working up into the basket from underneath. Rinse and dry with a lint free cloth.

Questions people ask

What is a tulip setting? A basket built from four curved metal petals that rise from the shank and meet under the girdle of the stone. It is stronger than an open basket and lighter than a solid gallery.

Does it make the ring sit higher? Slightly, which most people prefer. The extra height lets light through under the stone and leaves clearance for a wedding band.

Is a plain solitaire the right choice for a large stone? It is arguably the only choice. The bigger the emerald cut, the less it needs beside it, and the more a plain setting shows off the clarity of the stone.

Which metal should I choose? For maximum whiteness choose white gold or sterling silver. For warmth choose yellow or rose gold. For daily wear over decades, 14K balances colour and durability best.

About Mapple Gems

Mapple Gems is a made to order fine jewellery workshop. Every ring is cut, set and finished by hand after you order, which is why we can offer ten metals and four carat weights on one design. Orders ship worldwide free of charge and every ring carries a lifetime warranty against manufacturing defects.

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