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The first diamond ring made entirely from diamond

Most diamond rings comprise a precious metal band such as silver, gold or platinum, with one or more diamonds set into it. Until recently, making a ring entirely out of diamonds seemed an impossible mission. Until jewellers at Shawish became the first to succeed. They crafted a ring which is 100% diamond.

 

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Can a ring be made entirely from diamond?

Until recently, the idea of crafting a ring completely from diamond seemed impossible. Traditional diamond rings feature metal bands with diamonds set into them. However, jewelers at Shawish of Geneva changed this perception by creating the world's first 100% diamond ring.

This extraordinary 150-carat masterpiece was carved from a single rough diamond using custom-built laser technology. The painstaking process took an entire year and required multiple prototypes before completion. Valued at $70 million, this revolutionary piece showcases exceptional craftsmanship.

The concept inspired others, including Apple's former Chief Design Officer Jony Ive, who collaborated with Marc Newson to create another all-diamond ring. Their creation, featuring 2,000-3,000 facets, was auctioned for $256,250 to support global health initiatives.

While these fully diamond rings remain extraordinary luxury items, beautiful diamond jewelry with exceptional fire and brilliance is available in more accessible forms.

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Yellow gold solitaire ring with a round brilliant diamond in a prong setting

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a diamond ring, scissors, and cloth for full diamond creation

The 150 carat diamond ring: the first full diamond ring

Traditionally, a diamond ring comprises a band in gold, silver or platinum with one or more diamonds set into it. That was a bit too ordinary for luxury jeweller's Shawish of Geneva, Switzerland. A team of jewellers and diamond cutters created the first full diamond ring. They managed to design and craft a 150-carat diamond ring cut entirely from a single rough diamond. This unique jewellery was valued at a whopping $70 million. However, it is not likely to become an everyday item due to the enormous cost.

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The creation process

Creating an all-diamond custom-made ring is no small feat. It requires not just exceptional skill but also innovative technology. The diamond cutters at Shawish used a custom-built laser cutter to meticulously carve the ring from a single rough diamond. This process took an entire year, involving numerous prototypes before the final masterpiece was completed. Such innovative craftsmanship not only highlights the artistry involved but also explains the high price tag attached to this unique piece of jewellery. Following a number of prototypes, the final result is amazing.

How Shawish cut the 150ct diamond

Shawish avoided standard lapidary methods when they set out to transform a single 150 carat rough into a wearable band. Europastar reported that the company developed bespoke laser equipment for this project because conventional saws and polishing machines risked causing fractures or heat-induced colour changes when removing large volumes from one brut diamond. Instead of traditional sawing and faceting, Shawish used a multi-stage laser method combining controlled ablation with precision micromachining. The bespoke lasers let cutters remove material in very thin layers, sculpting the internal profile of the band before refining the external facets.

The technical challenge had two parts: removing mass without adding internal stress, and keeping temperatures low enough to avoid altering the diamond’s natural colour and structure. Laser ablation concentrates energy in a tiny area, so engineers managed heat dissipation by pulsing the beam and using very fine positioning to reduce thermal shock. Europastar noted that off-the-shelf equipment could not deliver the required pulse control, beam focus and stability, which is why Shawish developed a custom solution matched to the optical and mechanical properties of a 150 carat rough.

A deliberate, iterative process

Shawish combined digital planning with hands-on iteration. Initial CAD models and simulations set the band geometry and facet layout, then a sequence of prototypes - each closer to the final form - validated cutting parameters. Langerman and press reports indicate the programme took around a year from first cuts to the finished ring, reflecting extensive testing to calibrate beam intensity, cut depth and cooling intervals. That iterative sequence reduced the risk of micro-fractures and helped ensure consistent light performance across the finished facets.

A founder’s perspective

Mohamed Shawesh described the project as the realisation of an idea long considered fanciful, saying that a fully faceted ring required new technical solutions and patient refinement. Langerman quoted Shawesh on turning the concept into reality, noting both the technical ingenuity and the long development timeline.

Taken together, these choices - bespoke pulsed-laser ablation, careful thermal management and an iterative prototyping loop - explain how Shawish carved a wearable band from a single brut diamond while protecting the stone’s optical qualities and stability. Europastar and Langerman provide the contemporaneous reporting that documents the company’s exclusive equipment and year-long development effort.

Is a full-diamond ring buyable? Practical considerations

The Shawish 150 carat band was presented as a singular, concept object rather than a repeatable commercial piece. Coverage from the Baselworld presentation and follow-up press framed the ring as a one-off artisanal achievement meant to show what was technically possible, rather than to start a standard retail line. Given the provenance, the rarity of the rough and the bespoke production method, the piece belongs to the category of unique collector objects rather than everyday jewellery.

Sizing and resizing constraints

A ring carved entirely from diamond behaves very differently from a metal band. Typical resizing techniques - stretching, compressing or adding and removing metal - are not possible on hard, brittle diamond without risking fracture or changing the faceting. For a full-diamond band the internal circumference must be planned precisely before the final cut. That raises the importance of accurate ring sizing during the design phase and often requires custom fitting sessions; after production, adjustments are severely limited. For buyers who want flexibility over time, a fully diamond band presents a practical constraint that affects both initial fit and long-term wearability.

Market, ownership and care considerations

Because of its uniqueness and value, an all-diamond ring will most likely attract collectors, museums or private investors who prioritise rarity and display over daily wear. Owners typically treat such pieces as exhibition-quality objects, with specialised storage, insurance and conservation arrangements. Certification and provenance documentation are essential: detailed grading reports and a clear chain of custody support insurance and any future sale. This guidance is general rather than exhaustive, but buyers should expect greater diligence than with standard diamond purchases.

Alternatives that capture the look

For those drawn to the continuous-diamond aesthetic but who need practical wearability, there are alternatives that replicate the effect without carving a single stone. Full pavé bands, channel-set eternity rings and closely set high-facet diamonds can deliver intense brilliance and the impression of an uninterrupted diamond silhouette, while allowing conventional sizing and easier maintenance. These options keep much of the visual impact of a full-diamond band and remain compatible with routine services, certification and standard insurance approaches.

Provenance and first public showing

Contemporaneous reports state the 150 carat rough used by Shawish came from Brazil, and the finished ring was publicly shown at Baselworld in March 2012 (Delmonte-Smelson; Europastar). The unveiling at Baselworld placed the piece before an international trade audience and drew immediate attention from press and collectors for both the technical feat of carving a single brut into a wearable band and its striking effect on the show floor.
Jony Ive's full diamond rings on leather case, a luxurious and stunning display

Competition from the Jony Ive diamond ring

Obviously, it wasn't going to be long before someone else tried to cut a ring entirely out of diamond. That was Jony Ive. He was Chief Design Officer at Apple, responsible for the design of the iPhone, iPad, Macbook and Airpods. He teamed up with Marc Newson, a well-known industrial designer, to create an all-diamond ring, too.

They did this for a good cause. The ring was auctioned to raise money for the Global Fund and the fight against AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria. The ring went under the hammer in December, 2018, for $256,250 and had a staggering number of facets: between two and three thousand.

Discover exclusive jewellery at BAUNAT

A ring fashioned exclusively from diamond may still seem beyond normal reach, but an eternity ring has at least as much fire, thanks to its all-diamond setting. Are you looking for a beautiful diamond ring? You will find high-quality jewellery in our collections, with 100% natural diamonds. Our experts will help you choose the right design.

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  • Fabienne Rauw

  • BAUNAT Antwerp

  • Fabienne, manager of the German market is able to guide every client with finding the right jewel. She takes care of most of the German orders, but also takes other task on her plate. Thanks to her six  years of experience at BAUNAT she acquainted well with the product and the marketing around it. Her degree in PR ensures that BAUNAT is well presented across all media channels. For anyone looking into a new investment opportunity, Fabienne is the perfect guide in this process. No question will be left unanswered, and she will help you every step of the way.

    Selected Bespoke Projects

    • Eternal Bloom bespoke engagement concept - Role: project lead for client briefing and prototype coordination. Fabienne translated personal design references into a 3D-printed prototype, supervised stone selection and ensured the finished piece matched the client’s vision and comfort preferences.

    • Personalized anniversary necklace - Role: design coordinator and quality overseer. She managed the custom design process from the initial sketch to final polishing, liaising between client and workshop to preserve proportions and finish.

    • Reimagined heirloom ring restoration and redesign - Role: client consultant and technical coordinator. Fabienne guided the client through options to modernize setting details while keeping sentimental elements, delivering a wearable result that respected the original piece.

    Her hands-on involvement in bespoke commissions ensures each custom order has a clear brief, careful prototype review and close follow-up with the workshop, so clients receive a tailored jewel that meets both aesthetic and practical expectations.

    Professional enquiries

    For speaking engagements, press requests or research collaborations, please send your message to BAUNAT’s communications team with the subject line: "Fabienne Rauw  -  Professional Enquiry." Include a brief description of the request and any relevant dates or documents. The communications team will route enquiries to Fabienne and provide guidance on next steps.

Fabienne, manager of the German market is able to guide every client with finding the right jewel. She takes care of most of the German orders, but also takes other task on her plate. Thanks to her six  years of experience at BAUNAT she acquainted well with the product and the marketing around it. Her degree in PR ensures that BAUNAT is well presented across all media channels. For anyone looking into a new investment opportunity, Fabienne is the perfect guide in this process. No question will be left unanswered, and she will help you every step of the way.

Selected Bespoke Projects

• Eternal Bloom bespoke engagement concept - Role: project lead for client briefing and prototype coordination. Fabienne translated personal design references into a 3D-printed prototype, supervised stone selection and ensured the finished piece matched the client’s vision and comfort preferences.

• Personalized anniversary necklace - Role: design coordinator and quality overseer. She managed the custom design process from the initial sketch to final polishing, liaising between client and workshop to preserve proportions and finish.

• Reimagined heirloom ring restoration and redesign - Role: client consultant and technical coordinator. Fabienne guided the client through options to modernize setting details while keeping sentimental elements, delivering a wearable result that respected the original piece.

Her hands-on involvement in bespoke commissions ensures each custom order has a clear brief, careful prototype review and close follow-up with the workshop, so clients receive a tailored jewel that meets both aesthetic and practical expectations.

Professional enquiries

For speaking engagements, press requests or research collaborations, please send your message to BAUNAT’s communications team with the subject line: "Fabienne Rauw  -  Professional Enquiry." Include a brief description of the request and any relevant dates or documents. The communications team will route enquiries to Fabienne and provide guidance on next steps.