Zendaya's Engagement Ring: The East-West Cushion Cut That Redefined Modern Rings

Zendaya's engagement ring from Tom Holland is one of the most talked-about celebrity rings in recent memory, and it single-handedly pushed the east-west cushion cut into the mainstream. Debuted at the 2025 Golden Globes, the ring features an approximately 5-carat elongated cushion-cut diamond set horizontally across the finger, on a two-tone gold band by London jeweler Jessica McCormack. Its blend of vintage character and modern orientation made it instantly iconic. Here's everything about Zendaya's ring: the design details, why the east-west setting works so beautifully, and how you can get the same striking look without the six-figure price tag.

The Story Behind the Ring

Zendaya debuted her engagement ring at the 2025 Golden Globes on January 5, where photographers spotted a striking diamond on her left ring finger that didn't match the rest of her Bvlgari jewelry for the evening. When a reporter asked directly if she was engaged, she reportedly smiled, shrugged, and let the ring do the talking.

Shortly after, multiple outlets including PEOPLE reported that Tom Holland had proposed at one of Zendaya's family homes over the 2024 holiday season. The couple, who met on the set of Spider-Man: Homecoming and went public with their relationship in 2021, had kept the engagement typically low-key, a hallmark of their famously private romance.

What made the ring an instant sensation wasn't flashiness in the traditional sense. It was the design: an antique-inspired cushion diamond set in an unexpected horizontal orientation, blending old-world character with a distinctly modern sensibility. It was understated and bold at the same time, which perfectly matched Zendaya's fashion reputation.

The Design Details: What Makes Zendaya's Ring Special

Zendaya's ring is a masterclass in blending vintage inspiration with contemporary design. Here are the elements that define it.

The elongated cushion-cut diamond. At the center is an approximately 5-carat elongated cushion-cut diamond. The cushion cut is one of the oldest diamond shapes, dating back to the 1700s, known for its softly rounded corners and curved sides. The elongated version stretches that classic shape into a more rectangular silhouette, which looks larger and more elegant on the finger.

The east-west setting. This is the ring's signature feature. Rather than the traditional vertical orientation (where an elongated stone points up and down the finger), Zendaya's diamond is set east-west horizontally across the finger. This unexpected placement is modern, fashion-forward, and distinctive, and it's what sets the ring apart from nearly every other celebrity engagement ring.

The two-tone gold band. The setting combines 18k white gold and 18k yellow gold for a subtle two-tone effect, giving the ring both warmth and brightness. The band itself is notably thin, which emphasizes the size of the center stone.

The Georgian-inspired button-back setting. The ring is reported to feature a Georgian-style cut-down setting with a button-back detail, a signature of designer Jessica McCormack. This antique-inspired craftsmanship gives the ring its vintage soul, even as the east-west orientation keeps it firmly modern.

The overall effect is a ring that feels timeless and current at once, vintage in its details, modern in its layout. To understand more about the cushion cut at the heart of it, our diamond shapes guide covers this shape and others in detail.

Why the East-West Setting Works So Well

Zendaya's ring did more than look beautiful, and it introduced a lot of people to the east-west setting, which has since become one of the most on-trend orientations in engagement rings. Here's why it works.

• It's distinctive. In a world of vertically-set solitaires, a horizontal stone immediately stands out. It reads as intentional, fashion-forward, and different, without being outlandish.
• It flatters the finger differently. An east-west setting draws the eye across the hand rather than up the finger, creating a unique, elongating effect along the width of the hand. It's a fresh alternative to the traditional lengthwise look.
• It shows off elongated shapes beautifully. Elongated cushions, ovals, emeralds, and marquises all lend themselves naturally to east-west orientation because their length becomes a horizontal statement across the finger.
• It feels modern while using classic elements. The genius of Zendaya's ring is that it pairs an antique cut with a modern layout. The east-west setting is how you take a traditional stone and make it feel completely current.

Since Zendaya debuted her ring, east-west settings have surged in popularity, particularly among people who want something that stands apart from conventional engagement rings. It's a look that rewards individuality.

The Reported Value and Why It's a Natural Diamond

Jewelers and media have estimated the value of Zendaya's ring at roughly $150,000 to $200,000, with some estimates ranging even higher depending on the specifics. It's important to note that these are estimates; neither Zendaya, Tom Holland, nor Jessica McCormack has officially confirmed the ring's exact specifications or price.

The reason for the substantial estimated value is that Zendaya's ring is reported to feature a natural diamond. Jessica McCormack is known for working with natural stones, and a 5-carat natural diamond of high quality commands a premium price, which is what drives the six-figure estimates.

This is where the ring becomes relevant for anyone who loves the look but doesn't have a celebrity budget. A 5 carat natural diamond is simply out of reach for most people. But here's the good news: the style of Zendaya's ring the elongated cushion, the east-west setting, the two-tone gold is entirely recreatable at a fraction of the price using a lab grown diamond.

How to Get Zendaya's Ring Look for Less

The most exciting thing about Zendaya's ring for most people isn't the price tag but that the look is completely achievable on a realistic budget. Here's how to recreate the style.

Choose an elongated cushion-cut lab grown diamond. This is the heart of the look. An elongated cushion cut lab grown diamond gives you the same soft-cornered, rectangular silhouette as Zendaya's stone. And because lab grown diamonds cost 70 to 90 percent less than natural diamonds of the same size and quality, you can get a large, impressive elongated cushion for a small fraction of what a natural 5-carat stone costs. The stone is chemically and visually identical to a natural diamond; the only difference is origin and price.

Set it east-west. The defining feature of Zendaya's ring is the horizontal orientation. Setting your elongated cushion east-west recreates that signature modern-vintage look instantly. This is the single most important design choice for capturing the vibe of her ring.

Go two-tone or choose your gold. Zendaya's ring uses two-tone 18k white and yellow gold. You can recreate this exact effect, or choose a single metal like yellow gold for warmth, white gold for a cooler look, depending on your preference. The thin band is key: a delicate band emphasizes the center stone the way Zendaya's does.

Consider a bezel or vintage-inspired setting. Her ring's antique button-back detail gives it vintage character. A bezel setting or a vintage-inspired setting captures that old-world feel while keeping the stone secure.

Because the east-west two-tone look is so specific, a custom ring is often the best way to get it exactly right. Our custom design service lets you build an elongated cushion, set east-west, in the metal combination you want, recreating Zendaya's look precisely, as a lab grown diamond, for a realistic price. You can also browse our cushion cut engagement rings to see the shape that started it all.

The Cushion Cut: The Shape at the Heart of the Trend

Zendaya's ring put a spotlight on the cushion cut, so it's worth understanding why this shape has become so beloved.

The cushion cut combines a square or rectangular outline with softly rounded corners and curved sides, giving it a pillow-like appearance, which is exactly where the name comes from. It's one of the oldest diamond cuts, tracing back to the 1700s as an evolution of the old mine cut, which means it carries genuine vintage heritage.

Modern cushion cuts come in two main forms: the classic square cushion (nearly as wide as it is long) and the elongated cushion (stretched into a more rectangular shape, like Zendaya's). The elongated version has surged in popularity because it looks larger on the finger and pairs beautifully with east-west settings.

The cushion cut is prized for its combination of brilliance and soft, romantic character. It sparkles beautifully while feeling warmer and more vintage than a sharp-edged princess or a crisp round brilliant. For anyone drawn to Zendaya's ring, the cushion cut is where the look begins.

Frequently Asked Questions

⮞ What kind of engagement ring does Zendaya have?

Zendaya's engagement ring features an approximately 5 carat elongated cushion cut natural diamond, set east-west (horizontally) in a two-tone 18k white and yellow gold band with a Georgian-inspired button-back setting. It was designed by London-based jeweler Jessica McCormack, and Tom Holland reportedly proposed over the 2024 holiday season.

⮞ How many carats is Zendaya's engagement ring?

Zendaya's engagement ring is reported to be approximately 5 carats, with the specific stone cited as 5.02 carats. However, this hasn't been officially confirmed by the couple or the designer, so the carat weight remains an estimate based on jeweler analysis.

⮞ How much is Zendaya's engagement ring worth?

Jewelers estimate Zendaya's engagement ring is worth around $150,000 to $200,000, with some estimates higher, because it's reported to feature a large natural diamond. These figures are estimates only; the actual price has never been officially confirmed by the couple or designer Jessica McCormack.

⮞ What is an east-west setting like Zendaya's?

An east-west setting places an elongated diamond horizontally across the finger, rather than the traditional vertical (up-and-down) orientation. Zendaya's ring popularized this modern, distinctive look. It draws the eye across the hand and gives elongated shapes like cushions and ovals a fresh, contemporary presentation.

⮞ Who designed Zendaya's engagement ring?

Zendaya's engagement ring is reported to be designed by Jessica McCormack, a London-based jeweler known for blending vintage inspiration with modern design and for working with natural diamonds. The ring features her signature Georgian-style cut-down, button-back setting.

⮞ Can I get a ring like Zendaya's for less?

Yes. While Zendaya's natural-diamond ring is very expensive, you can recreate the exact look with an elongated cushion-cut diamond set east-west in two-tone gold using a lab grown diamond for a small fraction of the price. Lab grown diamonds cost 70 to 90 percent less than natural diamonds and are visually identical.

⮞ What is an elongated cushion cut?

An elongated cushion cut is a cushion-shaped diamond stretched into a rectangular rather than square outline, with the cushion's signature soft, rounded corners. It looks larger on the finger than a square cushion and pairs beautifully with east-west settings, which is why it's the shape at the center of Zendaya's ring.

⮞ Is Zendaya's ring vintage or modern?

It's both, which is part of its appeal. The cushion cut and Georgian-inspired button-back setting give it vintage character, while the east-west orientation makes it distinctly modern. This blend of antique details and contemporary layout is what made the ring so widely admired.

⮞ Did Zendaya's ring start the east-west trend?

Zendaya's ring didn't invent east-west settings, but it dramatically boosted their popularity and brought them into the mainstream. Since she debuted the ring at the 2025 Golden Globes, east-west cushion and oval settings have surged among people wanting a distinctive, modern engagement ring.

⮞ What metal is Zendaya's engagement ring?

Zendaya's engagement ring is reported to be set in two-tone 18k gold, combining white gold and yellow gold on a thin band. The two-tone effect gives the ring both warmth and brightness, and the delicate band emphasizes the size of the center diamond.

Zendaya's engagement ring from Tom Holland became iconic for good reason: it took a vintage cushion-cut diamond, set it east-west in two-tone gold, and created something that felt both timeless and completely modern. More than a beautiful ring, it reshaped what a lot of people want from an engagement ring proof that individuality and antique character can outshine sheer size or flash.

While her actual ring is a natural diamond with a six-figure estimated value, the look that made it famous is entirely within reach. An elongated cushion-cut lab grown diamond, set east-west in the gold of your choice, captures Zendaya's style precisely for a small fraction of the price.

Browse our elongated cushion cut engagement rings to explore the shape at the heart of the trend, or design a custom ring to recreate Zendaya's exact east-west, two-tone look as a lab grown diamond, the accessible way to wear one of the most iconic ring styles of the decade.