Oval Cut Lab Grown Diamond Ring with a Spaced Diamond Band in Silver, 10K, 14K and 18K Gold

An oval cut laboratory grown diamond in four claws, with small round diamonds set individually along the band at intervals rather than packed edge to edge. Each accent has a gap of plain metal on either side of it, so the band reads as a line of separate points of light instead of a continuous strip of pave.

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

Spaced rather than pave

Continuous pave gives you a solid line of brightness. Spacing the stones out does something different: each one reads on its own, and the polished metal between them reflects as well, so the band alternates white light and warm metal as the hand moves. It also uses fewer accent stones, which keeps the ring lighter and quieter than a fully set band.

Each accent in its own setting

Because the stones are not sharing a channel, every one has its own seat and its own small claws. That takes longer to make than running a row of beads down a rail, and it is what stops the accents from looking dropped into the metal. It also means one can be retipped later without disturbing anything else.

Practical as well as pretty

A ring with gaps between its accents collects far less grime than a solid pave band, because there are no tight junctions for hand cream to pack into. The plain back of the shank also means the ring can be resized normally.

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 band accent is matched to the same E and VVS2 grade, which matters here because a spaced stone is looked at individually rather than as part of a row.

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 accent positions are marked out on the shank before any seat is cut, so the spacing matches on both sides and the stones sit level with the metal rather than proud of it. Allow two to three weeks for making, plus shipping.

Looking after it

Warm water, mild washing up liquid and a soft toothbrush. This band is easier to keep clean than a solid pave one, but still brush around each accent rather than just rinsing. 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 band accent are E colour and VVS2 clarity, on all metals and all carat weights.

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

Why spaced instead of pave? It is quieter, it is easier to keep clean, and the metal between the stones becomes part of the design rather than something to be hidden. It suits people who want some sparkle on the band without a full pave look.

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? Yes, close to it. The accents sit level with the shank, so a straight band meets it cleanly.

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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