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

An oval cut laboratory grown diamond lying east west, cradled between two arms that split from the band and curve up around the stone from either side. The shank divides low on the finger, so from the front the ring is two curves meeting at a diamond.

At a glance

• Centre stone: Oval 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: Held between two curved arms of a split double shank
• Accent stones: None
• Metals: 925 silver, 10K, 14K and 18K gold in yellow, rose and white
• Made: To order in Surat, India

The shank is the setting

There is no head sitting on top of a band. The two arms rise out of the shank, sweep around the stone and hold it directly, which is why the profile stays so low and why the ring looks like one continuous object rather than a diamond mounted on something. Each arm is shaped by hand to meet the girdle at the right angle.

Set east west

Turned across the finger rather than along it, the oval spans the hand and sits close to it. It reads wider, it does not catch on a sleeve, and the sideways set follows the direction the two arms are already travelling.

The oval cut

A brilliant cut stretched into an ellipse, carrying the fire of a round while covering more of the finger. Every oval has a faint dark band across its centre, the bow tie, caused by the way facets shadow themselves in an elongated brilliant. We reject stones where it is pronounced, which matters on a setting this open where nothing distracts from the stone.

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 accents anywhere, that report covers the entire ring.

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. Both arms are formed from the shank itself and filed until they mirror each other, because on a symmetrical split any difference between the two sides is immediately visible. The stone is set last, between them. Allow two to three weeks for making, plus shipping.

About the photographs

Some of these photographs are styled still lifes and include other objects and pieces of jewellery. Only the ring described here is included.

Looking after it

Warm water, mild washing up liquid and a soft toothbrush, working between the two arms and underneath the stone. An open setting like this rinses clean easily. 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 split shank secure at four or five carats? Yes. The two arms hold the stone from opposite sides and brace each other through the shank, and we thicken them slightly on the larger weights.

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

Will a wedding band sit flush? Close. The shank is plain where it meets a band, though the split rises just above it. A slightly shaped band follows the line exactly, and we will make one to match.

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

Can I have a different stone shape? A pear, a marquise or an elongated cushion all sit well between the arms. Tell us when you order.

• All payments are processed securely through PayPal, one of the world's most trusted payment gateways
• Pay with your PayPal balance, or with any major credit or debit card through PayPal's secure checkout
• No PayPal account required — guest checkout available
• PayPal Purchase Protection applies to eligible orders