Round Cut Lab Grown Diamond Three Stone Engagement Ring on a Plain Band in Silver, 10K, 14K and 18K Gold

Three round brilliant laboratory grown diamonds in a row, the centre one larger and the two beside it only slightly smaller, each in its own claw setting on a plain polished band. It is the oldest arrangement in engagement jewellery and still the one that looks least like a trend.

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: Three stone, round centre with two round side stones, each separately clawed
• Accent stones: Round brilliant laboratory grown diamonds, E colour, VVS2
• Metals: 925 silver, 10K, 14K and 18K gold in yellow, rose and white
• Made: To order in Surat, India

Past, present, future

That is the meaning usually attached to a three stone ring: one diamond for what you have been to each other, one for now, one for what comes. It is why these rings turn up as often for an anniversary or a ring upgrade as for a proposal, and why the two side stones are cut close to the size of the centre rather than shrunk down into accents.

Why three rounds rather than a contrast

Many three stone rings pair the centre with a different shape, a tapered baguette or a trillion, to frame it. Three round brilliants do something else: because every stone is the same cut, all three sparkle in the same way at the same moment, and the ring reads as a single bright line across the finger rather than as a centre stone with supporters.

The claw settings

Each diamond sits in its own set of claws rather than sharing them, and the three heads are joined below the stones instead of between them. That leaves visible daylight between the diamonds, which is what keeps three large stones from looking like one lump, and it lets light into all three from the sides.

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. Yellow gold is photographed here, and a warm plain band under three colourless stones is the most classic version of this ring. 10K is the hardest alloy, 14K the everyday balance, 18K the richest colour. 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. Both side stones are matched to the same E and VVS2 grade. On a three stone ring this is not a detail: the stones sit beside one another in the same light, and a difference of even one colour grade between them would be visible.

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 three stones are selected together as a set so they share one colour and one cut quality, and the heads are aligned so all three tables sit at the same height. Allow two to three weeks for making, plus shipping.

Looking after it

Warm water, mild washing up liquid and a soft toothbrush. Work the brush into the two gaps between the stones and underneath through the open gallery. 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. The two side stones are matched to the same grade.

Does the carat weight include the side stones? No. The 2, 3, 4 and 5 carat options refer to the centre diamond. The two side stones are in addition and are scaled to suit the centre you choose.

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 against it? Yes. The shank is straight and the three heads sit above the band line, so a plain or pave wedding ring sits close on either side. This ring is often worn stacked with a slim pave band.

Can it be resized? Easily. There are no stones on the shank, so one or two sizes either way is straightforward.

Can I have the side stones smaller? Yes. Tell us when you order and we will scale them down, though the ring is designed around side stones close in size to the centre.

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