At the 2025 Golden Globes, Zendaya turned heads with her statement Bulgari necklace featuring a 31-carat oval paraiba tourmaline, complemented by matching earrings. However, it was the smaller diamond ring on her left hand that stole the spotlight. The next morning, news outlets confirmed the exciting speculation: Zendaya had gotten engaged to her longtime boyfriend, Tom Holland.
Soon after, details of the proposal emerged. It was an intimate holiday moment, and the stunning ring was designed by London-based jeweler Jessica McCormack. Unlike the recent trend for vertical oval and marquise diamond engagement rings, Zendaya’s ring featured a bezel-set east-west diamond, a unique and bold design choice that is now capturing attention across the jewelry world.
For those unfamiliar, the east-west setting places the diamond horizontally across the finger, as opposed to the traditional north-south orientation. Historically less popular, this setting is now making waves in the engagement ring scene. While vertical settings are often chosen to elongate the finger and create the illusion of a larger stone, east-west diamonds offer a fresh perspective that is gaining traction, thanks in part to Zendaya’s high-profile choice.
According to gemologist Olivia Landau of The Clear Cut, Zendaya’s engagement ring will undoubtedly revitalize the east-west trend. Designer Jessica McCormack, known for her work with celebrities like Saoirse Ronan and Zoe Kravitz, is particularly recognized for championing this setting. “East-west settings were popular in the Art Deco era, but they were quite rare in modern jewelry until the past few years,” says Vogue’s jewelry director Daisy Shaw-Ellis.
In addition to its unique orientation, the east-west setting has another appeal: it allows for the showcasing of larger carat diamonds. Zendaya’s ring is rumored to be around five carats, while Kate Hudson, another east-west diamond wearer, boasts a stone between six and eight carats. This setting is perfect for those looking to wear larger diamonds without the ring feeling overly formal or traditional.
For those seeking a modern twist on engagement ring styles, east-west settings are becoming the go-to option. “East-west settings offer a fresh and modern way to showcase large carat stones in a more relaxed, less conventional way,” explains Sarah Narici, founder of Dyne Jewelry in New York. The style is increasingly popular among those who want to stand out from the crowd, as noted by Beverly Hills jeweler Martin Katz. “East-west rings are great for the modern bride,” he says. “By orienting stones east-west, classic diamond cuts like emerald-cut ovals and marquises are given a whole new perspective.”
If you’re thinking of following Zendaya’s lead, Landau offers this advice: “An east-west setting will cover most of your finger’s real estate, so it’s important to choose an elongated stone like a marquise, oval, elongated cushion, or emerald cut. These shapes highlight the orientation and give the ring a distinct, fashionable look.”
With Zendaya leading the charge, it’s clear that the east-west engagement ring trend is poised to become one of the defining jewelry styles of 2025.
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