Zendaya’s East-West Engagement Ring Is Trending: What to Know

When Zendaya walked the 2025 Golden Globes red carpet, all eyes were on one thing: A big, beautiful diamond ring that sat on the fourth finger of her left hand. Fans were quick to speculate that it was an engagement ring, given to her over the holidays by boyfriend Tom Holland, but the unique orientation of the diamond made people unsure. Those in the know, however, saw this piece of jewelry for exactly what it was: An east-west set diamond engagement ring. “Zendaya’s ring is exquisite and a perfect reflection of her style—classic yet contemporary,” says Jillian Sassone, founder and creative director of Marrow Fine. “The east-west setting adds a modern twist, giving the ring an effortless, “cool-girl” edge while still embracing the timeless elegance of the cushion-cut. It’s a piece that strikes a beautiful balance between sophistication and individuality, embodying both grace and a subtle boldness.”

What is an east-west set engagement ring? Simply put, it’s a setting that where the center stone—typically a diamond—is oriented horizontally on the band instead of vertically. East-west set engagement rings are unique and unexpected, but they’re not so alternative that those who favor tradition can’t appreciate the trend. What makes this orientation less popular than its more classic counterpart is that vertically-set rings tend to elongate and lengthen the finger; east-west set rings don’t boast this same benefit, though they may make a single stone appear larger depending on the width of the wearer’s fingers.

All that being said, creating the illusion of a lengthened finger isn’t a priority for every person, and flipping the center stone of an engagement ring is a very simple way to create a unique, personalized piece of jewelry. It’s worth noting that the orientation change also covers more of the East-west engagement ring settings work for any cut of diamond (minus round brilliant and square, of course, which will always look the same no matter how they’re set), and the idea can also be applied to other gemstones. A cushion-cut diamond, like Zendaya’s, is a great option, but we also like ovals, emeralds, and marquises for this style of setting.

“I love Zendaya’s engagement ring,” affirms jeweler Olivia Landau, founder and CEO of the Clear Cut. “It is the perfect combination of classic and cool which suits her style perfectly. The natural diamond and the button back antique style setting is timeless with a bit of edge. The east-west setting provides a modern touch.” Solitaire stones, like Zendaya’s, are breathtaking in a side-to-side setting, as the diamond is really on full display, but there’s no rule that says an east-west ring can’t accommodate more than one stone. As for the band itself, the most modern of women will likely appreciate an east-west set engagement ring with a sleek metal band, just like the actress’s, but you can soften the look by picking a delicate pavé band to pair with the setting. Thicker bands, a significant trend for engagement rings in 2025, are another option for anyone who doesn’t a ring that’s overly precious.

Despite being much talked about right now, east-west set rings have been around for quite some time. They were extremely popular in the mid-2010s, then dropped off for a number of years, but have been especially sought-after since 2020, says Sassone. “We’ve seen more demand [for east-west rings] over the past five years, especially with ovals,” she says. “The client profile is often fashion-forward with a clear sense of personal style.” Landau notes that other celebrities have been responsible for bringing this trend to the forefront in the past, and Zendaya’s new ring will be no different. “East-west set engagement rings hit peak popularity a couple years ago around the time when Joey King got engaged [in 2022] with an east-west set engagement ring,” she notes. “East-west set engagement rings have always been a popular option for brides looking for a twist on a classic engagement ring.” Now, jewelers expect to see the trend come back with a vengeance, all thanks to Zendaya’s new ring. Many retailers offer east-west settings, and jewelers regularly create custom iterations of the trend for customers.

Shopping for your own east-west set engagement ring? Landau says to “always opt for an elongated diamond shape” for the most impact. She suggests an oval, marquise, emerald cut, or elongated cushion cut for maximum wow-factor. Sassone advises focusing on selecting a stone you really love—if you end up tiring of this trend in the future, you can always reset it, but “the shape,” she says, “will remain.”