Marquise Cut Lab Grown Diamond Claw Set Solitaire Engagement Ring on a Thin Band in Silver, 10K, 14K and 18K Gold

A marquise cut laboratory grown diamond set lengthwise along the finger, held by slim claws with a v claw guarding each point, on a band narrow enough almost to disappear. No halo, no pave, no shaping. One of the most dramatic outlines in diamond cutting, given nothing to compete with.

At a glance

• Centre stone: Marquise cut laboratory grown diamond
• Carat options: 2, 3, 4 and 5 carat
• Colour and clarity: E colour, VVS2 clarity
• Certificate: IGI, included free
• Setting: Claw set marquise with v claws at both points, thin plain band
• Accent stones: None, this is a true solitaire
• Metals: 925 silver, 10K, 14K and 18K gold in yellow, rose and white
• Made: To order in Surat, India

The cut that looks largest for its weight

A marquise is an ellipse drawn to two points. Very little of its weight sits in depth, so almost all of it is visible from above. That gives it the largest face up area of any common cut, carat for carat. A 2 carat marquise covers noticeably more finger than a 2 carat round, and worn lengthwise it stretches the hand more than any other shape.

Both points guarded

A marquise has two tips, and both are the thinnest and most vulnerable part of the stone. Each sits inside a v shaped claw that wraps the edges either side of the point rather than pressing down on it. The remaining claws are kept deliberately narrow so nothing interrupts the long curve of the girdle.

The thin band

Less metal beside the stone makes the stone look bigger, because the eye has nothing to measure it against except the finger. On a marquise, which is already an exercise in length, that effect is considerable. At 4 and 5 carat the shank nearly vanishes.

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. Yellow gold is photographed here and makes a colourless stone read even whiter by contrast. On a band this narrow we would suggest 10K or 14K, which are harder alloys and hold a thin shank better. 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. Every marquise differs slightly in length and in how sharply it comes to a point, so the head and both v claws are built around your individual stone. Allow two to three weeks for making, plus shipping.

Looking after it

Warm water, mild washing up liquid and a soft toothbrush. Brush underneath the stone through the open basket, and check both v claws now and then, as the points take the knocks. 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 marquise practical for everyday? Yes, with the v claws doing their job. The points sit along the finger rather than across it, so they are less exposed than the tip of an east west set stone.

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

Will a wedding band sit flush against it? A straight band sits close, since the stone runs along the finger rather than over the band. Some customers prefer a slight curve to follow the taper of the marquise.

Can it be resized? Yes, easily. There are no stones set anywhere in the shank.

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