A brilliant cut solitaire is one of the most classic styles of engagement ring: a single diamond that has been cut in a round brilliant shape. The solitaire setting showcases the center stone with minimal distraction, emphasizing its elegance and simplicity. It’s timeless, but it’s also been done many times before.
My clients — a couple from Rochestown — knew they wanted a brilliant cut solitaire, but with a difference. I love these projects. While the finished ring may look like a simple solitaire ring, it has really nice details that set it apart.
When I met this couple, they had been searching for months for the perfect solitaire. Finding the perfect engagement ring in Cork can be hard: finding the perfect diamond can be even harder. While they knew the diamond they wanted, they couldn’t find it anywhere. They knew the diamond, but they were otherwise flexible on the design. The only detail that they knew they absolutely wanted on the ring was a knife edge shank.
I know what you’re thinking: knife edge isn’t synonymous with love, marriage and happily ever after… but in this case it does. A knife edge shank simply means that instead of the band being rounded, it tapers to a sharp point on either side — much like a knife edge. This design creates a unique and elegant profile for the ring, adding a touch of visual interest.
From there, we had to work out the different details that would work with this band.
We had to decide between four claw; six claw; eight claw. This couple felt the four claw would be best and I absolutely agreed: a classic four-prong setting offers a timeless and elegant look, and leaves the focus on the center stone.
With the basic design laid out, we went in search for the perfect diamond.
We looked at lots of diamonds, having narrowed down to a brilliant cut and a rough idea of size. With a ring like this, the quality needed to be impeccable. With a solitaire like this, there’s nowhere to hide; the diamond needs to be perfect.
In the end, we found a stunning diamond. From the ones that were viewed, this one just stood out. It had extra life, extra sparkle, extra fire. It was a really clean stone with an amazing colour. The cut was perfect, and the clarity was excellent. It ticked every single box.
From there, I got to work on the head of the ring: the four claw setting and the knife head shank. Once soldered together, I then focused on making the shank more of a knife edge. The goal was to really work on exaggerating the point, without making it uncomfortable to wear. Beauty may be pain, but not when it comes to a piece you’ll be wearing every single day.
The end result was a stunning classic brilliant cut solitaire (with a twist) and the customer was absolutely delighted. We also worked on their wedding ring, which is a completely different design. Because of the simplicity of the engagement ring we were able to take the wedding ring in almost a completely different direction. We had a lot of flexibility and the end result was the perfect complementary piece. I can’t wait to share the design soon.
Whether you’ve already planned out your engagement ring down to the cut, clarity, carat and colour and you need someone to bring your vision to life, or you’re looking for someone to help you find that vision — I can walk you through the process from start to finish. An engagement ring is an heirloom, why not make it the perfect piece? If you are looking for an engagement ring in Ireland that’s completely unique please get in touch at eileen@eileenmoylan.com.