Diamond Rings | Olga Diamond Jewellery, Cape Town
Olga Diamond Jewellery is a Cape Town-based fine jewellery design studio specialising in diamond rings, engagement rings and custom diamond jewellery, with a physical store in South Africa. The collection spans round brilliant solitaires, emerald cut diamonds, lab grown options and handcrafted wedding bands. Emerald cut diamonds typically cost 10 to 30 percent less per carat than round brilliants of comparable quality, making them a strong choice for discerning buyers.
Key facts
- The round brilliant cut, with 57 to 58 facets, is the world’s most purchased diamond cut due to its light return and brilliance.
- Emerald cut diamonds typically cost 10 to 30 percent less per carat than round brilliant diamonds of equivalent quality grades.
- A 2 carat emerald cut diamond measures approximately 8 x 6 mm face-up, and appears larger than a 2 carat round brilliant of the same weight.
- For emerald cut diamonds, VS2 clarity or above is recommended because the step-cut open table facet makes inclusions more visible than in brilliant cuts.
- The emerald cut originated in the 1920s Art Deco period and has seen renewed commercial popularity since 2015.
- Lab grown diamonds are chemically, physically and optically identical to natural diamonds and are available at a lower price point.
- Olga Diamond Jewellery was established in 1976 and holds over 400 internationally certified diamonds in stock.
Our Diamond Ring Collections
At Olga Jewellery Design Studio, every diamond ring begins with a conversation. Olga and Colin Goodman have spent 43 years helping clients across South Africa find or create the ring that speaks to them, whether that is a timeless solitaire, a sculptural emerald cut or a custom-designed piece built entirely around their vision. With over 400 internationally certified diamonds in stock and savings of up to 50% compared with international retail pricing, the studio offers both breadth and genuine value.
Begin your journey today and design a ring that is entirely your own.
Diamond Engagement Rings
An engagement ring is one of the most personal objects a person will ever wear. The studio’s Engagement Rings collection spans platinum, white gold, rose gold and yellow gold settings, each crafted to hold the diamond at its finest. Clients work directly with the Goodmans to select a stone, choose a setting style and refine every detail until the ring is exactly right.
Diamond Wedding Rings and Bands
Wedding bands at Olga Jewellery Design Studio are designed to complement an engagement ring or stand beautifully on their own. From clean, polished bands to pavé-set diamond eternity rings, each piece is handcrafted to the client’s finger size and metal preference. The result is a ring that fits the life it will be worn in.
Emerald Cut Diamond Rings
The emerald cut is one of the most architecturally striking shapes in fine jewellery. Its rectangular step facets create long, mirror-like flashes of light rather than the scattered sparkle of a brilliant cut, giving it a calm, confident presence on the finger. It elongates the hand, carries a larger face-up appearance relative to its carat weight, and pairs beautifully with both yellow gold and platinum settings. For clients drawn to vintage emerald cut engagement ring aesthetics or a cleaner, more modern silhouette, this cut consistently delivers.
Lab Grown Diamond Rings
Lab grown diamonds are chemically and optically identical to natural diamonds. They are graded by the same international laboratories using the same four Cs criteria, and they carry the same fire and brilliance. At Olga Jewellery Design Studio, lab grown diamond rings are available across the full range of cuts and settings, giving clients who want a larger stone or a lower price point a genuinely beautiful option without compromise.
Diamond Rings for Women
Beyond engagement and wedding pieces, the studio’s collection of diamond rings for women includes statement cocktail rings, Classic Solitaire designs and rings from the designer collection. Each piece is handcrafted and one-of-a-kind, designed to make a statement about the person wearing it.
Diamond Cuts: What to Know Before You Buy
Choosing a diamond cut is one of the most important decisions in the ring-buying process. The cut determines not only how the stone looks but how it interacts with light, how visible inclusions are, and how the ring sits on the finger.
The round brilliant, with its 57 to 58 facets, is the most popular cut globally because it maximises light return and produces the greatest sparkle. For buyers who prefer a sophisticated, elongated silhouette, the emerald cut is the leading alternative. Its open table facet means inclusions and colour are more visible, so jewellers recommend prioritising colour (G or above) and clarity (VS2 or above) when selecting an emerald cut stone.
The emerald cut is not old-fashioned. It originated in the 1920s Art Deco era but has seen a strong commercial revival since 2015, driven by a broader trend toward minimalist, elongated silhouettes. It is currently one of the fastest-growing cut preferences among South African buyers.
Pros of the emerald cut:
- Elongates the finger due to its rectangular shape
- Typically costs 10 to 30 percent less per carat than a round brilliant of equivalent weight
- Distinctive, architectural look that stands apart from more common cuts
- Larger face-up appearance relative to carat weight
Cons of the emerald cut:
- The open table facet makes inclusions and colour more visible, requiring a higher clarity grade (VS2 or above is recommended)
- Less brilliance and sparkle than brilliant cuts
- Fewer ready-made setting options in some markets
In South Africa, a 1 carat emerald cut diamond ring typically ranges from R25,000.00 to R80,000.00 depending on the stone’s clarity, colour grade and setting. Because emerald cuts cost less per carat than round brilliants, they are a strong choice for clients who want maximum size within a set budget. Price across all cuts is governed by the four Cs: carat weight, cut quality, colour and clarity.
Natural vs Lab Grown Diamond Rings
What Is a Lab Grown Diamond?
A lab grown diamond is created in a controlled environment using either High Pressure High Temperature (HPHT) or Chemical Vapour Deposition (CVD) processes. The resulting stone has the same chemical composition, crystal structure and optical properties as a diamond formed underground over millions of years. It is a real diamond, not a simulant.
Price Difference Between Natural and Lab Grown Diamonds in South Africa
Lab grown diamonds are available at a significantly lower price per carat than natural diamonds of equivalent quality. This means clients can choose a larger stone, a higher clarity grade or a more elaborate setting for the same spend. Both natural and lab grown diamonds at Olga Jewellery Design Studio are internationally certified.
Which Should You Choose?
The choice between natural and lab grown comes down to personal values and priorities. Clients who place importance on rarity and the geological story of a stone tend to prefer natural diamonds. Clients who prioritise size, clarity and price-to-quality ratio often find lab grown diamonds the more satisfying choice. The Goodmans will walk through both options with you in a consultation so you can make the decision that feels right.
How to Choose a Diamond Ring at Olga Jewellery Design Studio
Buying a diamond ring is a process, not a transaction. Here is how the studio guides clients through it:
- Book a consultation. Speak with Olga or Colin about your vision, your budget and your timeline. This is where the design process begins.
- Choose your stone. Select from over 400 internationally certified diamonds in stock, across cuts, clarity grades and carat weights. Lab grown options are available at every step.
- Select your metal. Platinum, white gold, yellow gold and rose gold are all available. Each metal has different properties in terms of durability, colour and maintenance.
- Design your setting. Work with the studio’s designers to create a setting that holds your stone at its best, whether that is a clean solitaire, a pavé band or a bespoke design.
- Confirm sizing and finish. The studio ensures your ring fits correctly before it leaves the workshop. Custom sizing is part of the service.
For clients who want to explore the Diamond Rings collection before booking, the full range is available to browse online. The studio also offers Diamond Bangles and other fine jewellery for clients building a broader collection.
Why Clients Choose Olga Jewellery Design Studio
Olga and Colin Goodman have been creating fine diamond jewellery since 1976. That depth of experience means clients are guided by jewellers who have seen every combination of budget, style and occasion, and who bring genuine craft knowledge to every recommendation.
“We went to a consultation and were able to design a custom made engagement ring. This included a wide choice of diamonds and different designs. The end result was a beautiful and unique ring, with amazing quality and level of craftsmanship. I cannot recommend highly enough.”
Joe, Google review
“Colin and Fads were absolutely amazing! I’m so grateful for the care, knowledge, patience and help they offered from start to finish. The engagement ring turned out even better than I imagined, absolutely perfect. Highly recommend!”
Nicolas, Google review
The studio’s position in Cape Town means clients across South Africa can visit in person for a consultation or work with the team remotely to design their piece. Every diamond is internationally certified, and the custom design service means no two rings are identical.
Visit Olga Jewellery Design Studio in Cape Town
Olga Jewellery Design Studio is located in Cape Town, South Africa. Clients are welcome to visit the store to view the diamond collection in person, try on settings and speak directly with Olga or Colin about a custom design. In-store consultations are available by appointment, and the team can also assist clients who prefer to begin the process online.
For directions, trading hours and appointment bookings, visit the Contact Us page or explore more about the studio on the About Us page.
Book your consultation at Olga Jewellery Design Studio and take the first step toward a ring that is entirely your own.
