Although it appears to be 2 pieces of black jade it is actually one large piece. The 2 princess cut diamonds (each over 1 ct.) are held in place by bezels black jade. A trough has been cut into the black jade as well as grooves into the sides of that trough for the girdles of the diamonds to slide into. Two holes have been drilled through the black jade under the diamonds for cleaning. You will also notice on the other end of the ring a large dished-out area with 3 14kt gold rods which give the illusion that the black jade is held in place with the rods. After the jade has been fit to the ring, the diamonds are slid into place as well as the 3 gold rods. The piece of black jade is then lowered into the "U" shaped opening in the ring and seated in place where it is held with epoxy. The ring is size 18.