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

An oval cut laboratory grown diamond in four claws on a thin plain band, set north south so the stone runs along the finger. No halo, no pave, no detail at the shoulders. The oval does all of it.

At a glance

• Centre stone: Oval 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 claws on a thin plain band
• Accent stones: None
• Metals: 925 silver, 10K, 14K and 18K gold in yellow, rose and white
• Made: To order in Surat, India

The most requested shape, plainly set

An oval covers more of the finger than a round of the same weight and makes the hand look longer, which is why it has been the most asked for shape in engagement rings for years now. Put it on a plain band and none of that is diluted: the outline is the whole design.

Four claws at the right points

Two claws hold the ends of the oval and two hold the sides, which spreads the pressure across the strongest parts of the stone and leaves the belly, where the light is, entirely clear. The claws are kept fine deliberately; heavy ones cut visually into the curve and make the stone look smaller.

On the bow tie

Every oval has a faint dark band across the centre, called a bow tie, caused by the way the facets shadow themselves in an elongated brilliant. A well cut oval keeps it subtle; a badly cut one has a black stripe through the middle. We reject stones where it is pronounced, which is the single most useful thing a cutter can do for this shape.

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 on the ring, that report covers everything in it.

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. The head is made to the measured stone rather than bought in a nearest size, so the claws sit where they should on the curve, and the band is polished as one continuous surface. Allow two to three weeks for making, plus shipping.

Looking after it

Warm water, mild washing up liquid and a soft toothbrush, brushing underneath the stone from both ends. Behind an oval is where hand cream collects, and it is what makes a diamond look dull long before anything is wrong with it. 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.

How long will the oval look? We cut to a ratio of roughly 1.4 to 1.5 to 1, which most people find the best balance. If you want something longer and narrower, or rounder, tell us and we will select for it at no extra cost.

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 plain and straight, so a straight band sits against it cleanly.

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

Can I add a hidden halo later? Yes. Send the ring back and we will fit one beneath the setting without disturbing the stone.

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