The biggest news from Sunday night’s Golden Globes wasn’t that Brazilian actor Fernanda Torres pipped the likes of Angelina Jolie, Nicole Kidman and Kate Winslet to win the Best Actress award, nor was it that both Shōgun and Emilia Pérez took home an impressive four gongs each. No, the thing that really got the whole world talking was that Zendaya appeared on the red carpet wearing what looked like an engagement ring.
The actor has reportedly been in a relationship with her Spider-Man co-star Tom Holland since 2017, and while it’s only natural that engagement rumours have swirled around the high-profile couple countless times over the years, all signs are pointing towards it being the real deal this time around. Eagle-eyed fans were quick to spot the tell-tale piece of jewellery on her ring finger, and noted that it was the only one she kept on when she changed into a second dress for the ceremony. The news was later confirmed by TMZ, and Zendaya stepped out on Monday night for a Challengers screening wearing the same ring again.
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While we’re still waiting for official confirmation to come from the couple themselves, the internet has already gone into a frenzy – and, naturally, analysed the ring to within an inch of its life, too. Some extreme zooming has revealed that the piece in question appears to be an east-west, cushion-cut, button-back, 5.02-carat diamond ring by London-based jeweller Jessica McCormack, that retails for roughly £160,000 (though is officially listed as ‘price available on request’ online).
![west hollywood, california january 06 zendaya at the special screening of challengers at the pacific design center on january 06, 2025 in west hollywood, california photo by stewart cookamazon mgm studios via getty images](https://hips.hearstapps.com/hmg-prod/images/zendaya-east-west-engagement-ring-challengers-screening-677d49fa29d69.jpg?resize=980:* "Special Screening Of "Challengers"")
Jessica McCormack 5.02ct East-West Cushion Diamond Button Back Ring
The brand is yet to confirm the news, but we wouldn’t be surprised given the popularity of Jessica McCormack’s jewellery among the world’s most stylish celebrities – Rosie Huntington-Whiteley, Daisy Edgar-Jones, Victoria Beckham, Meghan Markle and Zoë Kravitz are are all fans – while the east-west style has been trending of late, too.
What is an east-west engagement ring?
Zendaya’s (reported) engagement ring is set in an east-west style, which means the main stone is set horizontally rather than vertically, as in more traditional designs. The style dates back to the 1920s Art Deco movement, but is ‘currently enjoying a renaissance’, according Eliza Walter, founder of Lylie Jewellery. ‘East-west rings can be crafted from any elongated stone cut, such as emerald, oval, marquise, or radiant cuts,’ she explains. ‘This unique orientation lends a fresh, modern feel to an engagement ring, while also offering an elegant look, particularly on shorter fingers.’
Jeweller Rachel Boston agrees: ‘Setting a stone horizontally is an easy and elegant way to keep the overall feel of your ring classic and minimal while till adding an element of interest. I find that this works as well for a solitaire style like Zendaya’s as it does for more complex, multi-stone pieces. Just switching up the positioning of the central stone opens up a world of endless design possibilities. It feels playful but still very grown-up and timeless.’
No doubt Zendaya’s engagement ring will spawn countless copycats and lookalikes in the coming months, and yet another surge in popularity for the east-west style. These are our favourites to shop now, featuring both lab-grown and natural gems, for those who want the look but can’t quite stretch to the six-figure investment…
The best east-west engagement rings to shop:
Brilliant Earth Haiden Bezel Engagement Ring
Jessica McCormack 1ct East-West Emerald Cut Diamond Button Back Ring
East West Marquise Bezel Set Diamond Engagement Ring
The Diamond Store Horizon Emerald Cut Lab Diamond Solitaire Ring
Now 38% Off
Kimaï Jackie Marquise Ring
Vrai The Signature Oval Engagement Ring
Mateo Point of Focus 14kt Gold Ring
Jessie Thomas Oval Diamond Wave Satin Ring
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Clementina Jackson is Acting Site Fashion Editor at ELLE UK, working across news and features, trends, e-commerce and SEO. She was previously Fashion Editor at Cosmopolitan and Women’s Health, and Acting Digital Fashion Editor at ELLE UK, where she was named as a PPA 30 Under 30 award winner for her work on size inclusivity. An experienced fashion, travel and luxury lifestyle journalist, Clementina has also written for Harper’s Bazaar, Vanity Fair, Condé Nast Traveller, Tatler, Red and Italy Segreta.