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

A round brilliant laboratory grown diamond held in six claws, with marquise cut diamonds set sideways along each shoulder like leaves on a stem. The marquises lie at alternating angles rather than in a straight line, so the shoulders trail away from the centre instead of stopping at it.

At a glance

• Centre stone: Round brilliant laboratory grown diamond
• Carat options: 2, 3, 4 and 5 carat
• Colour and clarity: E colour, VVS2 clarity
• Certificate: IGI, included free
• Setting: Six 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 as leaves

A marquise is a pointed oval, and laid on its side against a shank it reads as a leaf without any of the literal engraving that usually goes with a botanical ring. Setting three or four down each shoulder at slightly different angles turns the band into a stem. It is a restrained way of making a nature inspired ring, which is why it suits people who like the idea but not the usual execution.

Each marquise set on its own

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

Six claws on the centre

Six rather than four, evenly spaced around the girdle. On a round brilliant six claws hold the stone more securely and spread the pressure, and on a large stone they stop it reading as slightly square, which four claws can do.

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 along each shoulder and adjusted by eye before any seat is cut, because a leaf pattern set out symmetrically stops looking like 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 along both shoulders rather than just rinsing the ring. The points of the marquises are the vulnerable parts, so take it off for the gym, gardening and swimming.

Questions we are asked

What colour and clarity are the diamonds? The centre round 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 round brilliant. The marquise leaves are in addition.

Will the marquise accents catch on things? They sit low and each point is covered by a claw, so less than you would expect. As with any ring carrying small stones, have the claws checked every couple of years.

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 run down onto the shoulders, so a straight band meets them. A contoured band nests along the leaves, 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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