“East-west settings were popular in the Art Deco era and were very hard to find in the modern market until the past five years or so,” gemologist Olivia Landau explained to Vogue, and now, apparently out of the blue, the world can’t get enough of them. Why? Zendaya’s mind-blowing Tom Holland engagement ring a 5-carat, bezel set diamond set horizontally on a superfine gold band has become 2025’s red carpet sensation, Instagram captions, and jewelry counter heartthrobs.
When Zendaya appeared at the 2025 Golden Globes, all eyes were on her left hand. Ignore the orange gown or the Old Hollywood bob her ring was what everyone wanted to see. The creation, from London jeweler Jessica McCormack, is a master class in understated drama. The diamond rests horizontally across the finger, rather than vertically as one would typically find, forming the piece with a fresh, modern look that’s both “cool-girl” and eternally timeless. Based on appraisals made by jewelry specialists, the ring is worth somewhere in the neighborhood of $150,000 though its actual value may be its trendsetter value.
Zendaya’s pick isn’t merely about shine; it’s about rule-breaking. As Marrow Fine’s Jillian Sassone explained, “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.” The look is a hallmark of McCormack, whose list of clients includes Saoirse Ronan and Zoë Kravitz as well as Emma Roberts and Jessica Chastain, and it suits bigger stones particularly well big, show-stopping, and impossible to overlook.
But how did the world learn about the ring’s creator? Leave it to eagle-eyed Instagram detectives, who picked up on the fact that Zendaya had “liked” a 2022 post of McCormack wearing an east-west ring of similar design. That small digital breadcrumb only served to further stoke the intrigue, as fashion people and fans went hurtling to untangle every detail.
The east-west placement itself is trendy now, but it’s rooted. The angle originally got heads turning when Art Deco was all about breaking rules and geometric shapes. Now, courtesy of Zendaya, it’s trendier than ever before. “Zendaya’s engagement ring will definitely reignite the east-west trend,” Landau said to Vogue, and designers around the world are already noticing a surge in demand for horizontal settings. Where placement is not merely a style quirk it’s a bold declaration of self and contemporary love.
So why are east-west rings particularly special? First of all, they appear to make the stone even larger a trick of the eye all about stretching out the space between the fingers. As Rachel Boston discovered, “Most stones will look larger set perpendicular to the finger, giving the ring an additionally dazzling effect.” And though vertical settings make the finger longer, the east-west setting is more about highlighting the diamond’s full width and personality. It’s a retro yet fashionable style, perfect for that individual who wants his jewelry to be a beacon of individuality in a sea of conformity.
Zendaya’s ring is not the only one causing a splash this year. Trends in celebrity engagement rings in 2025 are all about dramatic shapes, large stones, and unorthodox settings. Selena Gomez’s marquise diamond, Adele’s pear-cut gem, and Lady Gaga’s oval with secret halo all indicate a shift toward maximalism and individuality. Bigger bands, colored gems, and mix-metal combinations are also on trend, but the east-west setting is the year’s showstopper thanks in no small part to Zendaya’sinfluence.
And then there’s the ring, of course. Half the tale. And of course, half the story is that Zendaya and Tom Holland’s romance is notoriously low-key, which just makes it all the more juicy. The pair have kept mum ever since they were spotted together for the first time in 2021. When speaking with ELLE in 2023, Zendaya explained, “I do have control over what I choose to share. It’s about protecting the peace and letting things be your own but also not being afraid to exist…I am navigating it more than ever now.” Their romance, confirmed by sources following the Golden Globes, was as intimate as possible allegedly taking place at Zendaya’s place over Christmas and New Year’s, with Holland seeking her father’s permission months in advance.
Fans waiting for a wedding photo dump will be waiting in perpetuity. As stylist Law Roach explained to Complex, “the public will likely never see photos of their wedding or her dress that’s how private they are.” In its place, Zendaya’s ring has been the couple’s subtle sign of commitment, sported to high-society events like the Met Gala (in a Louis Vuitton suit and Bvlgari accessories) and low-key dates, too.
The couple’s attitude toward privacy is also seen in their discreet matching tattoos Zendaya’s teensy “t” and Holland’s teensy “z” and complete radio silence regarding wedding news. They will just enjoy things for now and won’t rush a wedding a source instructed People. The lesson? Some love stories are better left out of the headlines, even if the sparkler is impossible to miss.
For the would-be east-west style, design professionals suggest elongated shapes such as ovals, marquises, and emeralds to create dramatic appeal. According to Martin Katz in Vogue, East-west engagement rings are great options for the modern bride. By simply orienting stones east-west, the classic diamond cuts such as emerald cut, oval, and marquise are given a fresh perspective.
The east-west trend is no passing fancy Zendaya’s ring, which marries contemporary simplicity with old-school glamour, is just the beginning. And for romantics and fashionistas around the world, it’s the ultimate motivator evidence that sometimes turning the script on its side is just what the world requires.
