Marquise Cut Lab Grown Diamond East West Ring Set at the Points in Silver, 10K, 14K and 18K Gold

A marquise cut laboratory grown diamond lying east west across the finger, held only at its two points by V shaped caps of metal that continue straight into the band. Both long sides of the stone are left completely open, with no claws and no rim, so the outline is uninterrupted from the widest part of the diamond to each tip.

At a glance

• Centre stone: Marquise 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: V caps at both points, on a plain tapered band
• Accent stones: None
• Metals: 925 silver, 10K, 14K and 18K gold in yellow, rose and white
• Made: To order in Surat, India

Held at the points, nowhere else

The two tips of a marquise are the thinnest, most vulnerable parts of the stone and also the least interesting to look at. Capping them does two jobs at once: it protects the fragile ends and it leaves the long curved flanks, which is where the light is, entirely clear of metal. There is nothing else touching the diamond.

Set east west

Turned across the finger rather than along it, the marquise spans the hand instead of pointing up it. It sits lower, looks wider, and does not catch on a sleeve the way a north south marquise can. It is also the reason a stone of modest weight reads as substantial here.

The band runs straight through

The caps are not fittings added to a shank. The band tapers as it approaches the stone and turns into the V at each end, so the ring is one continuous line of metal interrupted by a diamond. Simple to describe, difficult to make well.

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. With no accent stones anywhere on this ring, that one grade is the whole specification.

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. Each V cap is formed to the measured angle of that particular stone's point, because a cap that does not match leaves a gap at the tip and grips nothing. This is the fussiest part of a simple looking ring. Allow two to three weeks for making, plus shipping.

About the photographs

The photograph on the hand shows this ring worn with a diamond set band. That band is a separate piece and is not included.

Looking after it

Warm water, mild washing up liquid and a soft toothbrush. With both sides of the stone open there is almost nowhere for anything to collect, so this is one of the easiest rings we make to keep clean. 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 a stone held only at the points secure? Yes, when the caps are fitted to the stone rather than bought as a size. The two points are pulled towards each other along the length of the diamond, which is the strongest direction to hold a marquise.

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

Will a wedding band sit flush? Yes. The band is straight and the stone sits above it, so a plain band meets it cleanly.

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

Can I have it set north south instead? Yes, running along the finger with the same V caps. Tell us when you order.

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