Home Get Inspired Rings Engagement Elongated Radiant Solitaire Engagement Ring in Yellow Gold

A 14k yellow gold solitaire engagement ring with an elongated radiant-cut diamond held by four claw prongs, photographed on a light marble surface.

Elongated Radiant Solitaire Engagement Ring in Yellow Gold

$$$

14k yellow gold, lab diamond

M. wanted to propose to his partner of two and a half years and came in with a design board she had put together herself while they shopped around for styles together — giving him a rare, precise map of exactly what she loved. He pushed through a few rounds of technical back-and-forth to get a sculpted connection between the basket and band just right, all while avoiding a split-shank look she disliked. When it arrived, he wrote that it looked amazing in person — and even better on her finger.

'It looks wonderful! Quite literally exactly how I imagined it.' — on seeing the finished ring photos

'The ring looks amazing in person, and is now looking even better on Becca's finger.' — on delivery

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Gift for partner Proposal Engagement Ring Minimal / modern, Non-traditional stone, Surprise proposal

Quick specs

Design type

Rings Engagement

Primary Metal

Yellow gold 14k

Shape / Cut

Radiant Cut

Primary Stone

Lab diamond

Accent Stones

None

Style

Low-profile Modern Solitaire

Design Complexity

Moderate

Intent

Engagement Ring Minimal / modern, Non-traditional stone, Surprise proposal

Intent: Certainty

High

Size

Ring size 5.25 US (15.9mm). Elongated radiant center stone, approximately 2.00 carats.

How they made it distinctive

01
Design built directly from a board the recipient created herself while shopping for styles, giving an unusually precise map of her preferences
02
Basket sculpted into a fluid connection with the band, leaving open negative space behind the stone rather than a traditional floating basket
03
Split-shank look deliberately avoided at the recipient's request, shaping how the basket-to-band connection was finalized
04
Pointed claw prongs shaped only after the diamond was set, protecting the stone during earlier finishing stages
05
Elongated radiant cut chosen specifically for its rectangular silhouette and larger visual footprint across the finger

How you'd make it yours

Stone type: this piece uses a lab-grown diamond — a new commission could use a natural diamond for the same look at a higher cost

Diamond color/clarity: this piece uses D color, VVS2 clarity — a new commission could use a different grade combination depending on budget

Metal: this piece is 14k yellow gold — the same solitaire language works in white gold, rose gold, or platinum

Basket-to-band connection: this piece uses a sculpted connected basket — a new commission could use a traditional floating basket or a different connective element

One of a kind: this exact ring was designed around one recipient's own style board and is not reproduced — a new commission is an original piece inspired by this one, not a copy

Design changes made

The client asked for the basket to connect into the band with a smoothed, fluid transition and open space behind the stone, rather than the more traditional floating basket in the first sketch. An alternate version of this idea was ruled out because it would have created a visible split-shank look from the top, which the recipient specifically disliked, so the design was finalized using the subtler connected-basket approach instead.

Who this is for

This piece is for someone proposing to a partner who already knows exactly what they love — someone willing to go through a few rounds of technical back-and-forth to get small structural details right rather than settling for a standard setting. It's especially right for a partner who wants a solitaire with real presence but has specific opinions about shank shape and setting style that a store-bought ring can't accommodate.

How it's made

Once the final design was approved, the piece moved through a design quality check to confirm the diamond would fit the setting precisely, then a resin (wax) model was 3D printed as the first physical preview of the ring. The wax model was attached to a wax tree and invested in plaster, which was fired in a kiln to burn out the wax and leave a hollow mold. Molten 14k yellow gold was then cast into that mold to form the raw ring. After casting, the ring was cleaned up and polished to a mirror finish across the band and basket. The prongs were left slightly fuller through casting and finished into their final pointed claw shape only after the center diamond was set, protecting the stone during the earlier finishing stages. The sculpted basket-to-band connection was hand-finished to keep the open negative space behind the stone clean and fully polished despite its tight geometry.

Key note

The pointed claw prongs are intentionally shaped after the diamond is set, not before, so the stone is fully protected during the earlier casting and polishing stages.

Pricing guidance

A solitaire engagement ring with a 2-carat lab-grown center stone and a custom sculptural band detail sits toward the higher end of the mid range for custom engagement rings. Most of the cost comes from the diamond itself at this carat weight, with the custom basket-to-band connection adding modest labor on top of a standard solitaire build. Metal karat and diamond grade are the next biggest levers on price.

Moves price up ↑

↑
Increasing the center diamond size beyond 2 carats
↑
Choosing a natural diamond instead of a lab-grown diamond at the same carat and grade
↑
Upgrading to 18k gold or platinum instead of 14k yellow gold
↑
Adding pave or milgrain detail along the band or basket
↑
Requesting the sculpted basket-to-band connection be cast as a separate hand-finished piece rather than a simplified version

Moves price down ↓

↓
Reducing the center diamond to a smaller carat weight
↓
Choosing a lower diamond clarity grade (e.g. VS2 instead of VVS2)
↓
Simplifying the basket-to-band connection to a standard floating basket
↓
Selecting 10k gold instead of 14k
↓
Choosing a more common diamond shape that requires less custom stone-cutting lead time

Questions people ask

Is a lab grown diamond as durable as a natural diamond?

Yes. Lab-grown and natural diamonds are chemically and optically identical, both rating a 10 on the Mohs hardness scale, so there is no difference in durability or daily wear resistance. The only differences are origin and price, with lab-grown diamonds typically costing significantly less than a natural diamond of the same carat weight, color, and clarity. Lab-grown diamonds also show the same fire and brilliance as natural diamonds under normal lighting. Neither type requires different care routines.

What does a 2 carat radiant cut engagement ring typically cost?

A 2-carat radiant-cut solitaire with a lab-grown diamond typically falls toward the higher end of the mid range for custom engagement rings, since carat weight is the single biggest driver of diamond cost. A natural diamond of the same size, color, and clarity would cost substantially more than the lab-grown equivalent. Metal choice, diamond color and clarity grade, and any additional design details on the band all shift the final price from there. Custom sculptural details, even small ones, add modest labor cost on top of a standard solitaire build.

What is the difference between D color and E color diamonds?

D and E are both in the colorless range on the diamond color scale, with D being the highest possible grade and E just one step below it. The difference between them is essentially invisible to the naked eye, even to a trained eye in most lighting conditions. Some buyers choose D specifically because color is the diamond characteristic most visible without magnification, so going as high as the budget allows can feel worthwhile. Either grade will appear bright white and colorless when set in a ring.

How long does it take to make a custom engagement ring like this?

The full process typically takes 4 to 6 weeks from design approval to delivery. The design phase, including a technical sketch, 3D model, and photorealistic render for approval, usually takes about one week. Once the design is approved and production begins, casting, stone setting, and finishing take approximately 4 weeks. Custom elements, like a sculpted band detail, are built into that timeline rather than adding significant extra time in most cases.

Can the prongs be shaped differently on a radiant cut solitaire?

Yes, prong shape is a customizable detail on a radiant cut solitaire setting. This ring uses a pointed claw prong, which is shaped into its final form only after the diamond is set, keeping the stone protected during the earlier casting and polishing stages. Other common options include flat or rounded prong tips, which give a slightly different look at the corners of an elongated stone. The choice is largely aesthetic and does not affect how securely the stone is held.

Can you build a custom connection between the setting and the band instead of a standard floating basket?

Yes, though it depends on the specific geometry involved. A subtle sculpted connection between the basket and band, like the one on this ring, can usually be achieved without significantly increasing cost or production time. More elaborate versions with very tight open spaces can be harder to polish as a single cast piece and may need to be made and finished as a separate component, which adds labor. It's worth discussing the specific look you want early in the design process so the setting style (split shank vs. connected basket, for example) is accounted for from the start.

Why do lab diamonds cost less than natural diamonds if they look the same?

Lab-grown diamonds are less expensive primarily because of how they are produced. They are grown in controlled lab environments over a period of weeks rather than mined from the earth, which removes the extensive extraction, sorting, and supply chain costs associated with natural diamonds. Since lab-grown and natural diamonds are chemically identical, there is no difference in how they look, sparkle, or wear over time. The price gap mainly reflects supply and production economics rather than any difference in quality.

Is a radiant cut a good choice for an engagement ring?

Yes, radiant cut diamonds are a popular engagement ring choice because they combine the brilliance of a round cut with a more elongated, rectangular silhouette. The cut's trimmed corners make it more durable against chipping compared to sharp-cornered shapes like emerald or asscher cuts. An elongated radiant cut, like the one used here, can also create the visual effect of a larger stone across the finger. It pairs well with a simple solitaire setting when the goal is to let the diamond's proportions stand out.