Eileen Moylan | Eileen Moylan

Gorgeous Lab-Grown Solitaire Diamond Engagement Ring for a West-Cork based couple

02.03.2023 by Eileen Moylan //

A West-Cork based couple came to me looking for a classic solitaire rings. I love it when customers have done their research and have strong opinions as to what they want. In addition to the Solitaire, they wanted additional detail on the shoulders or band of the ring.

I suggested settings some small brilliant cut diamonds on the band so that it would still sit perfectly with the wedding ring that was also needed.

Searching for the perfect diamond

Once we had decided on the setting style we went looking for a perfect diamond. The customer chose to go with a lab-grown diamond as these are considered more environmentally friendly. Also, the ethically sourced aspects of lab-grown diamonds appealed to them. As with natural diamonds, lab-grown diamonds are graded by their cut, colour and clarity.

We viewed two stones, a 1-carat and 1.2-carat. Both with excellent colour, clarity & cut.

The couple opted for the 1.2-carat diamond. I made the ring so that it would be a classic solitaire will just the added diamonds on the band it would say perfectly with a flat wedding ring and was high enough to let the light shine in underneath the stone to achieve the best sparkle. (An often forgotten aspect of engagement ring design).

Can you tell if this is a Lab-Grown Diamond? No, you can’t.

If you are looking for an engagement ring and would like something absolutely unique to you, please email me at:

eileen@eileenmoylan.com

Lab-Grown Diamonds for Engagement Rings – What more than 20 years of experience tells me

01.30.2023 by Eileen Moylan //

Diamond Engagement rings in their current form are around for less than 100 years. In Ireland (based on conversations with older family members), they weren’t even that popular until the 80s. I’ve been designing and making engagement rings since the year 2000. In all that time, styles have changed slowly. There have been fads based on that year’s big celebrity weddings, but nothing comes close to the upheaval caused by the emergence of Lab-Grown Diamonds. Everyone wants to know about them!

The emergence of Lab-Grown diamonds

When I was starting out, Lab-Grown diamonds were no more than a rumour. It was while I was on a diamond course a few years back that I heard that they were finally becoming a serious alternative to mined diamonds. And I think it is safe to say that since 2018, they have finally arrived.

Google search interest in Lab-Grown Diamonds since 2004. Source: Google Trends.

Interestingly, according to Google Trends, Ireland is fourth in the list of countries that searches for Lab-Grown Diamonds.

How do Lab-Grown diamonds compare with mined diamonds?

There are thousands of articles on the web that will tell you the same thing: Lab-grown diamonds are indistinguishable from traditionally mined diamonds.

To my eye, with 23 years experience of designing and making engagement rings for people all over Cork and Munster, there is no difference between Lab-Grown Diamonds and traditional Diamonds.
Eileen Moylan

They are chemically & physically identical – At least, I can’t tell the difference. Lately, when I am working with a client to design an Engagement Ring, I will order a number of diamonds, both traditional and lab, to see what works best with the intended design. Once the diamonds are in my hands, any distinction on their origin is irrelevant.

Apparently, under a microscope, it is possible to tell the difference. I recommend avoiding microscopes.

Lab-Grown Diamonds V “Real” Diamonds

This is a BS distinction that some mining companies are trying to push. Lab-Grown Diamonds ARE REAL DIAMONDS!

Lab-Grown Diamonds and Price

Lab-Grown Diamonds are A LOT CHEAPER than traditional diamonds. It very much depends on the design of the ring and the diamonds used, but savings of 50% are not uncommon.

Lab-gown Diamonds as an investment

An engagement ring should never be looked at as an investment, as something that might potentially gain value over time. In my opinion, to think along such lines is to miss the point of an Engagement Ring.

Certification of Lab-Grown Diamonds

If you are spending a lot of money on a Diamond Engagement ring – Please please make sure to only purchase certified diamonds! This is the most fundamental guarantee of quality. The same goes for Lab-Grown Diamonds – Only use Certified stones. The Cert will specify that the stone originated in a Lab.

Brilliant Solitaire Engagement Ring by Eileen Moylan, Cork — Can you tell if this is a Lab-Grown Diamond? No, you can’t.

Are Lab-grown Diamonds better for the Environment?

Mining is a dirty business. But so is manufacturing. There is a ton of information out there (example) which pushes one side or the other but on balance, it appears that Lab-Grown Diamonds cause significantly less damage to the environment than mined diamonds.

Should I tell people that my Engagement Ring has a Lab Grown Diamond?

You may if you want to.

If an acquaintance of yours comes straight out and asks “Is that a Lab-Grown Diamond or a Real Diamond?” First off – The cheek!

Second, you may honestly answer that Yes, it is a real diamond. A real diamond that was grown in a lab. A diamond you selected for environmental reasons, or cost reasons. It is completely up to you.

The thing is, No one can tell. If they don’t have the cert or a microscope – They will never know. So it is completely up to the wearer.

“I still want a traditionally mined diamond”

Good. The thing is an Engagement Ring will be one of the most personal purchases you make in your life. You should do what is right for you. I am here to help you through this process. To navigate all the ins and outs of stone selection as well as all the other stuff. If you think I can be of use to you, email me at:

eileen@eileenmoylan.com

– Just follow this link to see more of my work on Engagement Rings.

Unique Engagement Ring & Beaded Wedding Ring in Crosshaven, Cork

01.06.2023 by Eileen Moylan //

His & Hers wedding ring along with her Brilliant Solitaire Diamond Engagement Ring created by Eileen Moylan

In this blog post, we describe the process of creating a stunning white gold engagement ring. The focus of the piece was on finding the perfect diamond, with considerations given to its carat, clarity, colour, and cut. We narrowed down our search to ensure that we could find a stone that fit both the customer’s preferences and budget. Once we had selected a few favourites, the customer was able to view them in person and make their decision. They ultimately chose a diamond with exceptional life and sparkle.

Eileen Moylan Setting a Solitaire Engagement Ring

After finding the perfect diamond, we turned our attention to the design of the ring. The customer opted for a classic solitaire setting, which we enhanced with unique design details. We also had to consider how the engagement ring would sit alongside a wedding ring, ensuring that both rings would lay flat against one another. The final design featured a classic four-claw setting with a tapered band.

The engagement ring alongside the beaded wedding ring

Overall, we were thrilled with the result of this project. The diamond was stunning, the setting was classic yet unique, and the wedding bands selected by the couple complemented the engagement ring beautifully. The contrast between the flat band of the engagement ring and the beaded wedding band added an interesting visual element. It was a pleasure to work with this lovely couple from the beginning of the process all the way through to the completion of their wedding rings.

Beaded wedding ring sits atop a brilliant cut diamond solitaire engagement ring

If you’d like to follow a similar path to create your own bespoke one-of-a-kind engagement ring, contact me. I love my work. 😊