Why choose a red diamond ring

A red diamond ring is among the boldest statements in all of fine jewellery. Red is the rarest diamond colour of all, and a red diamond engagement ring carries a vivid, unmistakable presence that no other stone quite matches. Unlike a ruby, which gets its red from chromium, a red diamond is pure carbon, and its colour has a softer, sweeter quality that sets it apart from any other red gemstone. It suits someone who wants a ring of real drama and individuality.

The most famous red diamonds

Red diamonds are so rare that fewer than thirty true natural reds are known to exist, and most weigh less than half a carat. The largest is the Moussaieff Red, a 5.11 carat fancy red found by a farmer in Brazil in the 1980s and cut from a rough of under 14 carats. More recently the Winston Red was given to the Smithsonian, joining the Hope Diamond donated by the same family decades earlier. Natural reds have sold for well over a million dollars per carat, among the highest prices of any gemstone.

These famous stones are natural and effectively unobtainable, which is exactly why red is so extraordinary, and that colour is now achievable as a lab grown stone.

What gives a red diamond its colour

Like pink, a red diamond does not get its colour from a trace element. The colour comes from a rare distortion in the crystal structure during formation, known as plastic deformation, which bends light as it passes through and produces the red we see. Red is essentially the most concentrated expression of the same effect that produces pink, which is why the two colours are so closely related. The same colour is achieved in a lab grown red diamond during the controlled growth of the stone.

Why lab grown makes sense for red

With natural reds numbering in the dozens worldwide and priced beyond almost any reach, lab growing is the only thing that makes a red diamond engagement ring a real possibility rather than a fantasy. A lab grown red diamond gives you that extraordinary colour with a clear, traceable origin at an attainable price. Lab grown diamonds are created in advanced laboratories using the same processes that form diamonds within the earth. The result is a real diamond, with the same chemical, physical and optical properties as a mined stone, the only difference being its origin. Each diamond is grown under controlled conditions, which makes it fully traceable and conflict free, and removes the environmental impact of mining.

Choosing the shape and setting

Cushion and radiant cuts concentrate and deepen the colour, while round and oval brilliants keep the emphasis on sparkle. The vivid colour stands out strongly against platinum and white gold and takes on extra warmth against yellow or rose gold. A halo of colourless diamonds frames a red centre and makes it appear even more vivid, while a plain solitaire lets the rare colour take centre stage. Shoulder set and trilogy designs add brilliance along the band.

Buying a red diamond ring from Lily Arkwright

This collection can be viewed by appointment at the London and Manchester showrooms, where a consultant can talk through colour, shape and setting in person. WhatsApp video and virtual consultations are available for anyone who would rather start from home.

Each ring is made to order in platinum or 18ct gold, with free and insured global shipping.