Oval Cut Lab Grown Diamond Ring with Marquise Leaf Shoulders in Silver, 10K, 14K and 18K Gold

An oval cut laboratory grown diamond held in eight fine claws, with marquise cut diamonds fanned out from each shoulder like leaves. Three marquises on each side, set at different angles and heights, so the shoulders open outward from the centre stone rather than running parallel to the band.

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: Eight claw centre with claw set marquise accents
• Accent stones: Marquise cut laboratory grown diamonds, E colour, VVS2
• Band: Slim shank, plain at the back
• Metals: 925 silver, 10K, 14K and 18K gold in yellow, rose and white
• Made: To order in Surat, India

Marquises used as leaves

A marquise is a pointed oval, and set on its side it reads as a leaf. Fanning three of them out from each shoulder gives the ring a botanical shape without any of the literal flower and vine work that usually comes with that idea. It is a restrained way of making a nature inspired ring, and it suits an oval centre because the two shapes share the same curve.

Eight claws on the centre

Eight fine claws rather than four, spread around the oval so each one takes less of the stone. Placing them at the sides and shoulders rather than at the tips also protects the thinnest points of the oval, and it leaves the full length of the stone visible from above.

Each marquise set on its own

Every accent has its own small claws rather than being bead set into a channel. It takes longer, uses more metal, and it is the reason each leaf stands proud enough to catch light separately instead of blurring into the next. It also means each pointed tip is covered by metal, which is where a marquise chips.

The bow tie on the centre stone

Every oval has a faint dark band across its middle, caused by the way the pavilion facets meet. On a well cut stone it is barely noticeable. On a badly cut one it is a black stripe that no setting will hide. We reject stones where the bow tie is strong, which is the single most useful thing anyone can do when choosing an oval.

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 white metal, and 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. Every marquise accent is matched to the same E and VVS2 grade.

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 marquises are laid out on each shoulder and adjusted by eye before any seat is cut, because a fan set out with a rule stops reading as leaves. Allow two to three weeks for making, plus shipping.

Looking after it

Warm water, mild washing up liquid and a soft toothbrush. The gaps between the marquises hold hand cream, so brush both shoulders properly rather than just rinsing. The points of the marquises are the vulnerable parts, so take the ring off for the gym, gardening and swimming.

Questions we are asked

What colour and clarity are the diamonds? The centre oval and every marquise accent are E colour and VVS2 clarity, on all metals and all carat weights.

Does the carat weight include the accents? No. The 2, 3, 4 and 5 carat options refer to the centre oval. The marquise leaves are in addition.

How wide does it sit on the finger? Wider than a solitaire, because the leaves fan outward from the centre. On a 2 carat oval the whole head covers most of the width of an average finger.

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? Not quite. The leaves come down onto the shoulders, so a straight band meets them. A contoured band nests into the fan, and we make those to match.

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

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