Celebrity Engagement Rings: Most Popular Cuts

Celebrity Engagement Rings by Cut

There’s an endless number of celebrity engagement ring lists that showcase their striking size and price tag.

While the average couple spends about $5,000 on an engagement ring, celebrity diamonds often top $1 million.

But we were also interested if celebrities chose different shapes for their diamonds than most couples, and which were most popular.

To find the answer, I partnered with Clean Origin to analyze 250 celebrity engagement rings and their cuts. 

The data ranges from King Edward’s emerald cut for the Duchess of Windsor in 1936 to 2023 engagements like Jake Funk’s emerald cut for Hannah Ann Sluss.

Here’s a breakdown of the data on the most popular shapes for celebrity engagement rings.

What are the Most Popular Shapes for Celebrity Engagement Rings?

Round Cuts

Celebrities with Round Cut Diamonds

Round cut diamonds are the most popular shape for celebrity engagement rings, and the same is true for other couples. But for celebrities, they make up a smaller percentage — 30 percent — compared to non-celebrities, where estimates place round cuts at about 63 percent.

They’re the traditional style known for strong brilliance, which also helps hide inclusions and color.

Round cuts also have the highest price per carat. So the combination of a round cut and high carat weight results in the high costs attributed to celebrity diamonds.

We also found round cuts to be consistently popular over the last few decades.

For example, Barack Obama proposed to Michelle Obama with a round cut in 1991.

Emerald Cuts

Celebrities with Emerald Cut Diamonds

Emerald cuts are the second most popular style for celebrities, with 44 out of 250 (18 percent) featuring the rectangular step-cut.

Emerald cuts have a lower price per carat compared to round cuts and other brilliant shapes, but the elongated facets cause it to appear larger than many other cuts, even if they’re the same carat weight.

The relatively high percentage of emerald cuts worn by celebrities is a deviation from other couples. 

In fact, Clean Origin’s buyers only choose emerald cuts five percent of the time.

The list of celebrities who were proposed to with an emerald cut include:

  • Sarah Jessica Parker (from Matthew Broderick)
  • Kate Beckinsale (from Len Wiseman)
  • Hayden Panettiere (from Wladimir Klitschko)
  • Amal Clooney (from George Clooney)
  • Beyoncé (from Jay-Z)

Beyonce Emerald Cut Engagement Ring

It’s also stood the test of time, beginning with the Duchess of Windsor in 1936 and continuing to 2023, with Cole Tucker’s proposal to Vanessa Hudgens.

Oval

Celebrities with Oval Cut Diamonds

Oval cuts made up 18 percent of our sample of 250 celebrity engagement rings — 45 instances in total.

The cut mimics a round diamond but is stretched in a way that makes it appear larger relative to its carat weight. From a distance, it can be hard to distinguish the two, especially if it has a smaller length to width ratio. 

Its brilliant cut facets still display a high degree of white light.

You’ll often earn a 25 percent discount compared to a round cut with the same qualities.

Celebrities who rocked an oval cut include:

  • Katie Holmes (from Tom Cruise)
  • Blake Lively (from Ryan Reynolds)
  • Julianne Hough (from Brooks Laich)
  • Hailey Baldwin (from Justin Bieber)
  • Kourtney Kardashian (from Travis Barker)
  • Kirsten Dunst (from Jesse Plemons)

Kirsten Dunst Engagement Ring

Celebrities wear oval cuts at a higher rate — 18 percent — than Clean Origin’s customers, who purchase the cut 15% of the time.

What are the Least Popular Cuts for Celebrity Engagement Rings?

Rose Cut

Rose cuts have a vintage style, featuring a domed top and flat bottom. Most have between three and 24 facets, and it’s named after how it mimics the shape of a rose petal.

In our sample of 250 celebrity engagement rings, only 2 were rose cuts:

  • Lily Collins (from Charlie McDowell)
  • Camila Alves (from Matthew McConaughey)

Camila Alves Engagement Ring

This aligns with the overall popularity of rose cuts for engagement rings. It’s a rare pick because its brilliance pales in comparison to a brilliant cut. 

The wide facets on top cause light to move subtly throughout the diamond instead of returning high amounts to the viewer.

Marquise Cuts

Marquise cut diamonds are shaped like a football.

Only 3 percent celebrity engagement rings we analyzed were marquise cuts, which is 7 out of 250. At Clean Origin, less than one percent of buyers choose marquise cuts.

They’re less expensive than round cuts, so you can choose a higher carat weight for the same price, and rival its brilliance because of the triangular-shaped facets.

Celebrities who were proposed to with a marquise cut include:

  • Catherine Zeta-Jones (from Michael Douglas)
  • Ashlee Simpson (from Evan Ross)
  • Jerry Hall (from Rubert Murdoch)
  • Jackie Kennedy Onassis (from Aristotle Onasses)

Heart Cuts

Like most fancy shapes, heart cut diamonds are named after their shape.

In our survey, only 5 celebrity engagement rings were heart cuts, representing 2 percent of our total. 

This more closely aligns with their appeal for other couples as well.

Celebrities with heart cut diamonds include:

  • Lady Gaga (from Taylor Kinney)
  • Avril Lavigne (from Mod Sun)
  • Rochelle Humes (from Marvin Humes)
  • Vivian Han (from Ken Chu)
  • Chen Ziahn (from Dai Xiangy)

Avril Lavigne Engagement Ring

Although the shape matches the symbol of love, it’s a rare choice for engagement ring diamonds. The shape is more often seen in other pieces of jewelry like necklaces and bracelets than as the centerpiece on a ring.

Asscher Cut

Asscher cuts are tied with heart cuts on the list of least popular cuts for celebrities.

The five in our survey are:

  • Gwyneth Paltrow (from Chris Martin in 2002)
  • Jessica Alba (from Cash Warren in 2007)
  • Kristin Cavallari (from Jay Cutler in 2011)
  • Nicky Hilton Rothschild (from James Rothschild in 2014)
  • Pippa Middleton (from James Matthews in 2016)

Asscher cuts are a squared version of emerald diamonds. They have an octagonal shape with a deep pavilion, giving the “hall of mirrors” illusion. It gained popularity in the 2000s, as evidenced by the several celebrities choosing it as their cut.

Conclusion

Our research on 250 celebrity engagement rings by shape has a clear conclusion: Celebrities and the rest of the population have different tastes. 

As examples, round cuts are less popular among celebrities, and emerald and cushion cuts are far more popular. 

Not only can they afford diamonds far more expensive than the average engagement ring, it appears their status and wealth also leads them toward a different choice in cut.

Celebrity Engagement Rings Q&A

Q: How do the proportions of a diamond cut impact the overall appearance of celebrity engagement rings?

A: The proportions, including the depth and table size, significantly impact a diamond’s brilliance and fire. Celebrities often opt for well-proportioned diamonds to maximize sparkle and impact, especially under the spotlight.

Q: Are there any emerging trends in diamond cuts among celebrities?

A: Emerging trends among celebrities often reflect a blend of vintage and modern aesthetics. While the classic round and emerald cuts remain popular, there’s a growing interest in unique and antique-style cuts like the rose cut.

Q: How do celebrities’ choices in engagement ring cuts compare to general consumer trends?

A: Celebrities often set trends, yet their choices in engagement ring cuts also reflect broader consumer preferences to a degree. However, they have the means to opt for larger, higher-quality, or custom-designed cuts that may not be as accessible to the average consumer.

Q: What considerations might celebrities have when choosing a diamond cut for their engagement rings?

A: Celebrities may consider the symbolic meaning, aesthetic appeal, and the way a particular cut captures and reflects light. They may also consider how a particular cut complements their personal style or the style of their partner, as well as the ring’s design and how it will look in public appearances.

 

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Jacob Clarke

Jacob Clarke

Jacob Clarke is the founder of TeachJewelry.com.

He earned an Applied Jewelry Professional Diploma from the Gemological Institute of America (GIA) and now brings you essential information about diamonds, settings, and more.

Jacob has consulted with leading jewelry brands, and his work has been cited in Clean Origin, Diamond Nexus and industry publications.

He's also a member of the International Gem Society.

He enjoys discussing jewelry with readers, so contact him with any questions at jacob.clarke@teachjewelry.com.

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Jacob Clarke

Jacob Clarke from Teach Jewelry

About Me

Greetings, my name is Jacob and I am the founder of Teach Jewelry. My aim is to guide you in making informed decisions when it comes to diamond and engagement ring selection. I provide comprehensive yet accessible advice and tips to ensure clarity, eliminating any concerns of overpaying for your diamond, engagement ring, or other jewelry. Whether your interest lies in selecting a top quality diamond, choosing its ring setting, or exploring other jewelry pieces, rest assured, you will attain the knowledge needed to select the right piece with confidence.

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