Is a lab-grown diamond a real diamond?+
Yes — a lab-grown diamond is chemically, optically and physically identical to a mined diamond. The only difference is origin: it is grown in a high-pressure / high-temperature or chemical-vapour-deposition reactor over 4–8 weeks instead of mined from the earth. Kove only ships IGI-certified lab-grown diamonds.
How does an IGI certificate differ from a GIA certificate?+
Both IGI (International Gemological Institute, Antwerp) and GIA (Gemological Institute of America, Carlsbad) are independent gem labs that grade the 4Cs to identical international standards. IGI is the recognized authority for lab-grown diamonds; GIA is the recognized authority for natural diamonds. Kove ships IGI for every lab-grown stone and GIA (or HRD) for every natural stone over 0.50 ct.
What's the difference between a marquise and an oval cut?+
A marquise (or navette) is an elongated football-shape brilliant with two sharp pointed ends — it shows the largest visible surface per carat of any cut and elongates the finger. An oval is a rounded elongated brilliant without pointed ends — it offers similar finger-lengthening with a softer profile and zero risk of point chipping. Both work beautifully for solitaire and halo settings at Kove.
Can I change the metal or stone shape after ordering?+
Yes — Kove offers a 48-hour spec-change window after every order. Within that window the metal (14K white / yellow / rose; 18K white / yellow / rose) and center-stone size or shape can be swapped at no charge before manufacturing begins. Reach out via the WhatsApp number on the order confirmation. After 48 hours the configuration is locked because the diamond has been reserved and casting has begun.
How long does production take?+
Typical production time at Kove depends on the configuration: 10–28 business days for solitaire and three-stone settings, 28–35 business days for pavé, halo and hidden-halo settings with intricate side-stone work. After production we ship insured via courier within 2–7 business days across the EU.
Is the price the same for lab-grown and natural diamonds?+
No — the setting price (gold + side stones + labor) is identical, but the center diamond is priced separately and lab-grown diamonds cost roughly 50–70% less than natural diamonds of the same 4C grade. A 2-carat IGI VS1/F lab-grown center retails around €1,200–€1,600 at Kove, while a comparable GIA-graded natural sits at €5,500–€9,000. Both options are offered on every ring with transparent live pricing.
Do lab-grown diamonds hold their resale value?+
Honestly, no diamond is a good investment — not lab-grown and not mined. Any diamond resells for only a fraction of its retail price (a natural diamond typically around 30–50%), and lab-grown resale is lower and has been trending down as the technology scales. But an engagement ring is an emotional object meant to be worn for a lifetime, not a financial asset to be resold. What never changes is what the independent IGI or GIA certificate guarantees: your stone is a real diamond of the exact grade stated. Choose it for the ring you'll love and wear — not for a resale market.
How do I verify my diamond certificate online myself?+
Your centre diamond comes with its own independent IGI or GIA report — a unique number that is also laser-inscribed on the stone's girdle — so you can confirm it yourself, free: enter the number at igi.org (Report Check) for lab-grown stones or gia.edu (Report Check) for natural stones and compare it on screen with your paper report. On top of that, every finished piece ships with a printed Kove certificate showing the model, its net gold weight and a QR code that opens your stone's official lab report. You never have to take our word for it.
Do you ship internationally?+
Yes — Kove ships free insured courier delivery to the entire European Union (Czech Republic, Slovakia, Germany, Austria, Poland, France, Italy, Spain, the Netherlands, Belgium and all other EU member states). Delivery outside the EU is available on request and quoted individually. Every parcel is fully insured at the declared value and ships with signature confirmation.
How much is a marquise solitaire 1 ct lab-grown engagement ring in 14K gold under €1500?+
At Kove, the complete Séraphine Solitaire Marquise (DDLR-032-R00687-MQ) in 14K gold starts at €1,254 today (3.75 g of 14K gold, single-stone cathedral solitaire — no side stones) — under €1500. Live pricing for a 1 ct IGI-certified VS1/F lab-grown marquise center and every other option is shown on the product page. Same price in white, yellow or rose 14K; the 18K upgrade prices live as well.
Marquise lab-grown vs natural at 1.5 ct — what's the price difference and is the look the same?+
At 1.5 ct VS1/F, a Kove IGI-certified lab-grown marquise runs about €800–€1,100; a comparable GIA-certified natural marquise runs €4,000–€6,000 — a 75–80% price gap for chemically and optically identical stones. The Séraphine Solitaire Marquise setting (DDLR-032-R00687-MQ) accepts both at the same setting price, and the prongs are tuned for the marquise tips on either origin. The bow-tie effect, brilliance and fire depend on cut quality of the individual stone, not on lab-grown vs natural origin.
How long does Kove take to produce a marquise solitaire and ship it across the EU?+
The Séraphine Solitaire Marquise is a single-stone cathedral solitaire with no pavé work, so production takes 10–28 business days at Kove. After production, insured courier delivery across the EU adds 2–7 business days — plan roughly 3–5 weeks from order to delivery. If your centre diamond is already in local stock the 10-day rush end of the range applies; ask via WhatsApp before ordering.
