Zendaya’s Ring: All The Details

Zendaya’s Ring: All The Details

Zendaya’s entrance at the Golden Globes in January 2025 drew attention to her style and presence. By the evening’s end, the focus shifted to the ring on her left hand.

TMZ confirmed the following Monday that Tom Holland had proposed during the holidays, and the understated piece of jewelry quickly became the subject of widespread conversation.

Zendaya’s Golden Globes appearance quietly revealed a new chapter. By the end of the night, the ring on her left hand became the most talked-about detail.

The Designer Behind the Ring

The ring appears to be the 5.02-carat East-West Cushion Diamond Button Back Ring by Jessica McCormack, a British jewelry designer based in London. McCormack is known for blending traditional influences with contemporary design. Her clients have included Dakota Johnson and Zoë Kravitz, and her work appeals to those seeking individuality in custom pieces.

What caught people's attention was a detail that surfaced after the engagement news broke. Screenshots showed that Zendaya had liked photos of similar ring styles from McCormack's Instagram account as far back as 2022.

This suggests that Holland may have been paying attention to those small signals over time, choosing a ring that aligned with his partner’s preferences he had quietly expressed years before they got engaged.

Zendaya's ring is a reminder that thoughtful proposals are often built over time.

The East-West Orientation

The most immediately noticeable feature of the ring is how the diamond sits on the finger. Rather than the traditional vertical placement most people are familiar with, the cushion-cut stone is set horizontally. This is called an east-west orientation, and it changes the piece’s entire look.

Jewelry professionals note that placing the stone horizontally visually enlarges its appearance by covering more of the finger. It also allows light to enter the diamond from different angles, which enhances its sparkle. This orientation results in a silhouette that emphasizes structure while remaining wearable for daily use.

Interestingly, cushion-cut stones are not the most common choice for east-west settings. That style is more frequently paired with emerald, pear, or marquise cuts. The combination of cushion cut with east-west orientation is somewhat unconventional, which contributes to why this particular ring looks unlike most engagement rings you see.

The east-west setting gives this ring its distinct silhouette. By placing the cushion-cut diamond horizontally, the design feels both unconventional and intentionally modern.

Understanding the Cushion Cut

The diamond is cushion-cut, with soft, rounded corners and larger facets than some other shapes. This cut has been around for centuries and carries a sense of warmth that some describe as romantic or vintage. The larger facets tend to show off the stone’s color and depth rather than prioritizing maximum sparkle, as a round brilliant might.

Cushion cuts are increasingly chosen by those seeking alternatives to the traditional round shape, offering a style that bridges classic and modern design.

The cushion cut is known for its soft corners and larger facets, which emphasize depth and warmth over sharp sparkle. Its vintage roots give the stone a timeless, romantic feel.

The Button Back Setting

One of the more technical aspects of Zendaya’s ring is the setting style: a button-back setting, also called a cut-back collet or closed-back setting. This technique was common in Georgian-era jewelry, roughly from the early 18th to mid-19th century.

• The setting features a solid metal enclosure behind the stone. Historically, this served to protect the gem, but it also affects how light interacts with the diamond.
• The metal backing can reflect light through the stone, adding depth and radiance. Jessica McCormack has made this setting style one of her signatures, and it appears in much of her work.
• The setting combines 18k white gold and yellow gold for a subtle two-tone effect. White gold enhances the diamond’s appearance, while yellow gold adds warmth. This blend contributes to a vintage sensibility within a modern framework.
• The metal piece at the back is designed to ensure the stone sits comfortably against the skin.

This attention to wearability reflects a design philosophy that considers how the ring will feel during daily life, not only how it looks in photographs.

What the Ring Might Be Worth

Estimates of the ring’s value vary depending on the diamond’s qualities. Some experts place the retail value at approximately $120,000, noting its design and craftsmanship.

Other estimates place the value between $370,000 and $500,000 for an excellent-quality diamond with VVS clarity and a near-colorless grade in the D-F range. A mid-range estimate is around $250,000.

Variation in estimates is due to uncertainty about the diamond’s specifications and whether the stone is natural or lab-grown. Most experts assume the diamond is natural based on the designer's design and sourcing practices.

Most experts lean toward a natural stone, placing the estimated value in the mid-to-high six figures.

The Proposal Story

The proposal happened during the last week of December 2024. Holland chose an intimate setting for the moment, asking Zendaya to marry him at her family’s house rather than at a restaurant or on a trip.

Reports indicate Holland prepared in advance, purchasing the ring and speaking with Zendaya’s father before proposing. He planned the timing, location, and details of the proposal, emphasizing its significance.

Holland opted for a quiet, intentional proposal at Zendaya’s family home. The setting reflected a focus on significance over spectacle.

The Golden Globes Debut

The ring’s first public appearance was at the Golden Globes, and the way Zendaya styled it sent its own message. As a Bulgari ambassador, she wore Bulgari jewelry on the red carpet that evening. However, when she removed those pieces later, she kept the engagement ring on her left hand.

Bulgari acknowledged all of Zendaya’s jewelry that night except for the engagement ring. This detail indicated the ring was personal and not part of a brand partnership or styled look for the event.

How the Ring Has Affected Engagement Ring Trends

Six months after the Golden Globes, jewelers report continued interest in similar engagement ring styles. The ring has contributed to the growth of preexisting trends.

• East-west orientations had already been gaining interest before Zendaya’s engagement, but her ring brought the style into mainstream conversation. The same is true for vintage-inspired settings and cushion cuts.
• Jewelry professionals note that celebrity engagement rings can increase interest in particular styles and encourage more clients to explore similar options.
• Lauren Boc, founder of Hera Fine Jewelry, has observed that her clients are gravitating toward bold, visually distinctive designs, such as the east-west collet setting.

With lab-grown diamonds becoming more common, many people are looking for ways to make their rings feel unique beyond simply choosing a large stone: the setting, orientation, and overall design can express personal style.

Why This Style Resonates

The appeal of this ring lies in its combination of vintage elements, such as the cushion-cut stone and button-back setting, with modern features, such as the east-west orientation and mixed metals. Some describe it as Old Hollywood glamour with a contemporary edge.

The east-west orientation has also been interpreted as carrying symbolic meaning. Some see the horizontal placement as representing equal partnership, a visual statement about balance in a relationship. Whether that interpretation resonates with any particular couple is personal, but it has connected with people looking for rings that feel meaningful beyond their appearance.

This ring resonates because it blends vintage character with modern intention. The east-west setting and cushion cut create a look that feels both timeless and quietly symbolic.

Finding Your Own Version

This ring illustrates how engagement rings can reflect personal taste through carefully considered details, such as the cut, setting, and metal choices, resulting in a piece that feels distinctive and personal.

If you find yourself drawn to elements of Zendaya’s ring, consider what specifically appeals to you. Is it the cushion cut with its soft corners? The east-west orientation? The warmth of mixed metals? The vintage quality of the setting? Breaking down what you respond to can help guide your own search, whether you end up with something similar or something entirely different.

Months after its debut, the ring remains a reference point for those considering engagement ring options and exploring new choices beyond conventional styles.