A three-stone engagement ring may appear balanced side by side with the model’s hand in a picture, but the image captures only part of its appeal. These three important details make all the difference: the width of the side diamonds, the height of your chosen setting style and the amount of space between the stones, explains specialist wedding rings online retailers . These subtle differences deserve consideration to narrow the field before you finalize a design. Three stone lab grown diamond rings offer substantial scope for diamond shape, sizing and settings, but the interaction between each of its stones deserves attention. A design must be proportionate on all sides, sit comfortably and reflect the wearer’s personality at the time of its wearing.

The Relationship Between the Three Diamonds

It is traditional to associate each diamond with a stage in the relationship – past, present and future – but the relative sizes have a greater impact upon the ring’s overall appearance. It is traditional to feature the largest diamond in the centre, with the other two stones as a backdrop.

If you choose 1.50cts as the focal point and 0.30cts for the side stones, the resulting ring will bear little resemblance to one centred with the same diamond and 0.70cts on either side, for instance.

Each arrangement offers its own appeal. The first option highlights the contrast, but the second style produces a stronger sense of overall volume. Carat weight alone is not always indicative of the apparent size, either, because the same measurement in millimetres may produce varying face-up appearances depending on the cut proportions used for each stone, making the choice of millimetre measurements for comparison more valuable in some circumstances.

Diamond Shapes That Work Well Together

Creating a pattern of sparkle with three diamonds of the same round brilliant shape is forgone by mixing up the shapes, instead.

There exist numerous combinations, including:

oval centre with pear-shaped sides – produces an extended impression with the pear-shaped stones pointing outwards

emerald-cut centre with tapered baguettes – creates strong horizontal lines of broad reflection

round centre with half-moon diamonds – produces an overall impression of a narrower band with two diamonds on either side that extend out from the sides

radiant-cut centre with trapezoid sides – produces an irregular arrangement with a noticeable proportion of the finger is covered

cushion-cut centre with round sides – blends a softness in the middle with more sparkly diamond shapes on either side

Each of these combinations also impacts the total width, either by including wider stones along either side or using narrow baguettes on either side of a central stone.

If your centre stone is oval-shaped, its length to width ratio becomes important. A slender diamond produces different proportions to a broader piece with the same carat weight.

What Changes When the Diamonds Are Lab Grown?

Diamonds produced in laboratories have the same basic chemical and molecular structure as natural diamonds. The only real difference between them is the location from which they originated. In terms of a three-stone ring, the laboratory-grown option allows more freedom when it comes to size and variety within a given budget.

While the budget sets the limit, you avoid the pressure of specifying how that spending should be allocated between the three stones.

Couples in Australia looking for three stone lab grown diamond rings may wish to study the available design options when considering the relative sizes of the centre stone, the side diamonds and contrasting or matching metals.

The source of a diamond does not dictate its cut quality and appearance, however. Each piece should be scrutinised on its own before deciding how well two or more will complement each other, particularly when set in direct sequence from one stone to the next.

Matching Colour and Clarity Without Overspending

When placed side-by-side, the subtle differences in the shade can become more difficult to ignore. A centre diamond of F-colour, for instance, might appear dramatically different to the stones on either side under various lighting conditions. The visual harmony may outweigh the temptation to select the highest available colour grade for one of the diamonds.

Clarity is not quite the same consideration, but buyers should understand that a high clarity grade simply describes the quantity and visibility of any inclusions and blemishes. It does not guarantee that the choice will appear bright in general.

Most buyers would likely prefer to spend any additional funds on an eye-clean diamond rather than one with a higher clarity rating unless the choice is readily visible to the naked eye.

While cut quality deserves similar scrutiny when viewed as a choice for overall brightness, fire and scintillation, it may prove a greater challenge with unusual shapes. View photographs or video footage of the stone rather than relying upon the description given in a lab diamonds report. Diamonds shaped in step-cut fashion, including emerald cuts and baguettes, possess larger facets than brilliant-cut pieces, and any imperfections may prove more obvious to the naked eye.

Ring Settings and Everyday Practicality

The ring’s setting has implications beyond how it appears in a picture window. Prongs leave most of the face of a round brilliant diamond exposed, but the projection and raised positioning leaves the edges vulnerable to snagging on clothing, hair or other objects.

A bezel setting encloses the edges in metal to prevent snagging but sacrifices some of the open design. Low settings offer a more down-to-earth choice, but the supporting metalwork may limit your choice of wedding band.

Metal choice is equally important to consider. Your choice impacts the colour, and platinum and white gold have a similar appearance but require different maintenance regimes. Yellow and rose gold provide an alternative, but the warm colour casts will alter the apparent colour of the diamonds. The security of each diamond is equally important, because the side stones do not have the protection of a surrounding setting band. Pears and similarly-shaped diamonds need special V-shaped prongs to guard against snagging.

The Wedding Band Question Is Easier to Address Early

A three-stone engagement ring may not lie flat against a plain wedding band. Side stones, basket setting and any additional decorative features all contribute to keeping the two rings from lying adjacent to one another. The result is a gap that some wearers find more distracting than pleasing.

Solutions on either side of the equation include contouring the wedding band or choosing a matching band that complements the engagement ring but fits alongside the design. A ring setting could be modified to allow a straight band to fit closely to either side. The easiest solution includes viewing the two rings side-by-side to identify any potential problems. A side view, rather than one taken directly from above, reveals incompatibility that may not otherwise be evident.

Check the Details Before Placing an Order

Australia shoppers considering custom design or online purchases should obtain precise measurements before finalizing an order, including the band width measurement, setting height and overall width of the three stones. A few additional questions are equally useful in preventing misunderstanding and disappointment in the delivered product:

Is the advertised carat weight measured for the centre diamond alone or all three?

Does the focal point diamond feature certification independently issued?

Are the secondary stones certified separately or matched by jeweller?

Is the intended setting appropriate for a straight wedding band fit?

What are the customer service policies for resizing, maintaining and replacing the item should a problem arise?

Ensure that any quoted prices are in Australian dollars and include GST, for instance. Shipping costs, insurance coverage for transit and conditions of return are equally important, particularly for a custom-designed item. An independent laboratory report, including one issued by either IGI or GIA, establishes the quality of the central stone.

Smaller side diamonds might not feature independent documentation, however. Ask how their quality is determined and whether the jeweller matches them against the centre stone during the creation process.

Finally, look at the ring on a person’s hand rather than deciding based on an enlarged photograph. A ring that tapers towards the ends might appear more modest, but the combined width of three stones proves ample when viewed across the surface of the finger. Accurate proportions, overall security and band compatibility become long-lasting considerations after the initial purchase has been made.