Gabrielle Union’s Engagement Ring: The Ultimate Guide

August 19, 2021August 23, 2021Celebrity Engagement Rings, Celebrity Inspired Engagement Rings, Engagement Ringscushion cut diamonds, cushion cut engagement rings, Pavé, pavé-studded basket, solitaire engagement rings, solitaire settings

Gabrielle Union’s Engagement Ring was revealed to the world in a breathtaking Instagram post on December 22, 2013. The actress and fashion icon received her beautiful ring from Miami Heat shooting guard and 12-time All-Star Dwayne Wade.

To add to the special moment, Dwayne Wade enlisted the help of his two children and his nephew in popping the question! Wade and Union went on to make the family affair official, getting married the next year in an elegant outdoor wedding.

But you’re here for Gabrielle Union’s engagement ring! And you’re in the right place.

You’ll find out:

What style Gabrielle Union’s engagement ring is
What diamond shape is Gabrielle Union’s engagement ring?
How many carats is Gabrielle Union’s engagement ring?
How much did Gabrielle Union’s engagement ring cost & what’s it really worth?
Gabrielle Union’s engagement ring copy

What Style Is Gabrielle Union’s Engagement Ring?

Gabrielle’s engagement ring seems to have a flat solitaire band with a raised, pavé-studded basket. The solitaire band lends her ring a classic feel, while the diamond-studded basket gives the ring a surprise pop of sparkle when viewed from the side.

Gabrielle wearing her diamond engagement ring along with a large diamond necklace.

Solitaire Engagement Ring Embellished With a Classic Pavé Basket Head.

Solitaire engagement rings are the most popular setting among ring shoppers. Why? 2 main reasons:

Solitaire engagement rings don’t distract from your center diamond! All the glitter is in your center stone.
Solitaire settings save your wallet. You can invest in the center diamond of your dreams with all the money you save on the band.

What Diamond Shape Is Gabrielle Union’s Engagement Ring?

Three cushion cut diamonds shown from different angles.

The stunning stone is an enormous cushion-cut diamond. It’s a colorless, eye-clean diamond. It’s at least an F Color with a clarity of VS1 or higher.

How Many Carats is Gabrielle Union’s Engagement Ring?

Reportedly, her diamond is an incredible 8.5 carats. And man, does it impress!

How Much Did Gabrielle Union’s Engagement Ring Cost & What’s It Really Worth?!

Gabrielle’s diamond comprises nearly the entire value of her engagement ring. Rumor has it that it cost Wade nearly $1 million! And such a gorgeous stone is truly worth every penny.

There aren’t many large-carat diamonds in less-common cuts like cushion, but compared to a similar James Allen round diamond, the $1 million valuation seems fair!

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A comparable 8 carat cushion-cut diamond is relatively more affordable. In fact, a cushion-cut diamond usually costs 30-50% less than a round diamond of a similar carat.

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A “Copy” of Gabrielle Union’s Engagement Ring

Using James Allen’s Ring Studio, you can make your own lookalike of Gabrielle Union’s engagement ring. With a solitaire shank, a pavé-studded basket, and 4-pronged closure, this ring is nearly identical to Union’s stunning ring. All you have to do is choose your own diamond to complete this stunner!

Pavé Basket Head Engagement Ring

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Another Gabrielle Union-inspired engagement ring is this four-prong solitaire setting with a pavé-decorated basket. The accent diamonds add extra glitter to your center cushion-cut diamond!

Pavé-Adorned Cathedral Engagement Ring

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Gabrielle Union Engagement Ring Pictures

We love a good photo dump, especially when it features an incredible engagement ring and a beautiful couple!

Gabrielle posing in her veil and holding up her ring finger to display her diamond engagement ring

Gabrielle brushing back her hair while she shows off her sparkling diamond ring.

Gabrielle and Dwayne laughing together. Her engagement ring hand rests on his shoulder displaying the diamond.

Gabrielle and Dwayne posing together on a bed. She rest her hand on his head showing off her diamond engagement ring.

Gabrielle at a fashion show resting her hand on her knee, her engagement ring is on clear display.

Hilary Duff’s Engagement Ring: The Ultimate Guide

August 12, 2021October 18, 2021Celebrity Engagement Rings, Celebrity Inspired Engagement Rings, Engagement Ringscelebrity engagement rings, celebrity ring lookalikes, cushion cut diamonds, cushion cut engagement rings, diamond engagement rings, hilary duff engagement ring, platinum engagement rings, white gold engagement rings

When the gorgeous thing that is the Hilary Duff Engagement Ring first appeared on Instagram on May 9th, 2019, her followers went crazy for it. The large-carat cushion-cut diamond marked the engagement of Hilary Duff and singer-songwriter Matthew Koma. The two had already had a whirlwind of a year, having recently welcomed their first child, a baby girl, in October 2018.

Hilary Duff engagement ring in two side-by-side Instagram photos

Upon getting engaged, Hilary captioned her Instagram post by writing: “He asked me to be his wife♥️,” flashing a huge smile and a large cushion-cut diamond set in a solitaire white gold or platinum band.

Hilary Duff and Matthew Koma originally met when collaborating on her 2015 album “Breathe In. Breathe Out.” They began dating in 2017 and eventually, the two made it official in December 2019 by tying the knot in a sweet, intimate backyard wedding.

But you’re here for Hilary Duff’s engagement ring! And you’re in the right place.

You’ll find out:

What Diamond Shape is Hillary Duff’s Engagement Ring?

Hilary Duff’s ring looks to be a large, colorless, cushion cut diamond. Its slightly elongated shape isn’t out of the ordinary for cushion cuts, which aren’t beholden to any standard industry measurements. The longer shape also has the advantage of making the stone look even bigger!

The cushion cut is the chic descendant of the historic old mine cut, which was a highly-faceted cut popular in the Victorian and Georgian eras. Jewelers made a few improvements over the centuries, resulting in today’s modern 58-facet cushion-cut diamond. This cut is prized for its squarish shape with rounded corners, as well as its many delicate facets which sparkle fantastically.

How Many Carats is Hillary Duff’s Engagement Ring?

It looks like Matthew Koma popped the question with an approximately 4-carat stone that’s extremely colorless. It seems to be at least an F or higher on the color scale.

What Style Setting Is Hillary Duff’s Engagement Ring?

Hilary Duff’s engagement ring is set in a simple split-shank solitaire ring. The classic 4-prong setting is a perfect choice for a cushion-cut diamond; it allows as much light as possible to enter the stone, letting it sparkle as much as possible.

Cushion Cut Diamond Solitaire Engagement Ring

Is Hilary Duff’s setting white gold or platinum? At a glance, there’s no knowing. The difference between white gold and platinum only becomes apparent 5-10 years down the road; due to daily wear-and-tear, white gold will need to be refinished with rhodium, while platinum will always keep its original sheen.

Solitaire engagement rings are also the most popular ring setting in the US! A 2019 survey by theknot.com showed that over 25% of the respondents owned solitaire engagement rings. There are a few good reasons for that:

Solitaire engagement rings place all the focus on your center diamond. There are no stones on the band to distract from your main sparkle.
Solitaire settings are affordable! You’ll have more of your remaining budget to put toward a truly incredible center diamond.

Interested in learning more about solitaire ring settings? We’ve got you covered.

How Much Did Hillary Duff’s Engagement Ring Cost?

Nearly all of this ring’s value is in its center diamond. That’s because, as a solitaire ring, there’s no need to take into account the cost of any stones on the band.

This particular center diamond, assuming it’s an earth-created diamond, is probably valued between $50,000 to $100,000.

For comparison, have a look at this similarly-priced comparable 4-carat diamond with F color and VS1 clarity from JamesAllen.com.

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However, if it’s a lab-created diamond, it could have cost just half of that. That’s because the process of producing lab-created diamonds is much less resource-intensive, and thus they’re sold for much more affordable prices.

This 4-carat lab-created diamond with E color and VS1 clarity has near-identical specifications to the above diamond but at less than half the price.

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A “Copy” of Hilary Duff’s Engagement Ring

If you’re inspired by Hilary Duff’s engagement ring and want to mimic her style, you’re in luck. Due to its simplicity, this ring is actually quite easy to replicate for yourself! We’ve put together two options to get you started.

The first is a very close match – a white gold split shank solitaire. This elegant band splits slightly as it approaches the center diamond, adding some intrigue to the classic solitaire. It’s just 2 mm in width, which means its thin size will make any diamond appear even larger in comparison.

You can customize this with any diamond shape; stick with Hilary Duff’s cushion cut, or go for another square shape – like princess-cut or emerald!

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The next option leans more heavily into the “split shank” side of Hilary Duff’s engagement ring setting. In this setting, two parallel bands run alongside each other for the entire length of the shank, finally twisting as they approach the center diamond. This ring setting is wider, measuring 3.1 mm, making it a more comfortable and secure setting for larger diamond carats.

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To build your own, Hilary Duff-inspired engagement ring, you can start with either a cushion-cut diamond or a solitaire setting.

SHOP CUSHION-CUT DIAMONDS

SHOP SOLITAIRE SETTING

Hilary Duff’s Engagement Ring Pictures

Have a look at these gorgeous pictures of Hilary Duff’s engagement ring.

Instagram 2 - Hilary Duff Engagement Ring blog post

Instagram - Hilary Duff Engagement Ring blog post

Instagram 3 - Hilary Duff Engagement Ring blog post

A Match Made In Heaven: Cushion-Cut Halo Engagement Rings

October 29, 2019March 10, 2020Diamonds, Engagement Rings, Trending Ringscushion cut diamonds, cushion cut engagement rings, halo engagement rings

Take classic glamour to the next level with a cushion-cut halo engagement ring.

The cushion-cut diamond has been beloved for over a century! With its rounded edges and soft square shape, the cushion-cut is experiencing a resurgence in popularity as couples throwback to the classics.

And what’s the perfect way to modernize a cushion-cut diamond? A halo! FYI: the now-obsessed-over halo engagement ring rose to popularity in the opulent Roaring Twenties as a glitzy way to show off a gorgeous center diamond.

A Cushion-Cut:

Shows off the clarity of your diamond
Radiates gentle grace and class
Gives engagement rings a romantic feel

A Halo:

Adds striking sparkle to any engagement ring
Draws attention to its center stone
Makes its center stone appear larger

Keep scrolling for our expert picks – the cushion-cut halo engagement rings at the crux of old-style charm and fresh glam:

Marquise Cluster

“The ring I purchased looks one-of-a-kind.”
– Michael A.

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Navette Leaf

“The stone looks even bigger on my hand than expected!”
– Ashley T.

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Side-stone

“SHE LOVES IT, I LOVE IT, WE LOVE IT!”
– Zachary K.

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Tear Drops

“This setting makes a one-carat stone look like a two-carat!”
– Acon L.

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Perfect Pavé

“I have never seen anything sparkle so much!”
– Mallarie P.

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Regal Frame

“I could not be more pleased with my purchase!”
– Troy V.

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Vintage Octagon

“My fiancee loved its antique yet modern look.”
– Brian M.

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Split-Shank

”All the diamonds are set perfectly and catch everyone’s attention.”
– Kyle K.

VIEW IN 360°

Curious about other popular engagement ring styles? Read more below!

Try these trending halo engagement rings on for size.
One halo isn’t enough? Get twice the ice with double halo engagement rings.
We’d like to rest our heads on these cushion-cut engagement rings!
Rock a look for the ages in these timeless vintage-style rings!

Obsessing over one (or more) of the engagement rings in this post? Share the love on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, Snapchat, or in the comments below!

Shout out your style with this pin:

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Rachel Hoar

Rachel is an unabashed linguistics fanatic who can identify the ancient Greek root of any word. She promises not to spray you with Windex.

Finding Her Engagement Ring Style: A Wink & A Smile

October 15, 2018April 11, 2021Education, Engagement Ringsbaguette diamond rings, channel-set engagement rings, Cushion Cut, cushion cut engagement rings, diamond engagement rings, diamonds, education, engagement ring, engagement ring advice, engagement ring education, engagement ring style, engagement ring styles, engagement rings, halo, halo engagement rings, men's FAQ, Pavé, pavé engagement rings, princess cut, ring styles, Round Cut, round engagement rings, side-stone engagement rings, solitaire, tension engagement rings, vintage, vintage engagement rings, vintage rings

Whether you’re a secret agent or a straight shooter, check out our pro tips for finding her engagement ring style.

Everyone has a personal style. Some are more understated than others and, therefore, harder to discern. Your job as Buyer of Rings, Proposer of Marriage, is to hone in on that style by whatever means necessary. Put on your detective hat and do some snooping around or straight up ask your partner what she’d like. Either way, finding her engagement ring style needn’t be a chore with our handy guide. Just pop on some good music and get sleuthing.

Finding Her Engagement Ring Style: Cut to the Chase

Let’s start by clearing something up: the ring doesn’t have to be a complete surprise.

There, we’ve said it.

These days, it’s perfectly acceptable – preferable even – to bring your partner into the design process. No one knows the wearer’s style better than the wearer herself, so why not involve her in the decision making? Goodness knows, you’ll need all the help you can get when confronted with terms like pavé, halo, and tension! (That last one’s a setting style btw, not a headache.) By promoting your partner to Chief Ring Adviser, you’ll come across as the sensitive and considerate human being you are while eliminating much of the guesswork. It’s a win-win.

Now, the direct approach won’t work for everyone, mind you. Some customers – proposer and proposee alike – have their hearts set on a solo ring selection, culminating in the Big Reveal. To those irrepressible romantics, we say… read on!

Finding Her Engagement Ring Style: A Spy on the Wall

finding her engagement ring style spy on the wall

Like all good detectives, you’ve been waiting for the right case to come along; a case worthy of your powers of deduction. Finding her engagement ring style is right up there with #WhoBitBeyoncé and that whole Yanny vs Laurel thing – except the odds of you solving this one are far higher!

Seriously though, your partner’s online and offline activity might give away key clues about her ring preferences. If she has a Pinterest account, it’s worth checking to see if she’s created any boards with sparkle-related titles or pinned any specific rings. Assuming you have access to her Facebook account, check her profile and activity log for any ring posts she’s liked or shared.

What’s the Buzz?

Even if she’s been careful not to leave a digital trail, she may have confided in her best friend or sibling. Once you’ve got a sparkly bee in your bonnet, it’s almost impossible to keep it to yourself! Listen for subtle hints that might come up when she’s chatting with her inner circle, especially if the topic of celebrity engagement rings comes up.

Finding Her Engagement Ring Style: How She Rolls

When finding her engagement ring style, it often helps to draw on your own personal experience. Presumably, you’ve spent a fair bit of time with your SO and have gleaned an insight or two about her day-to-day.

What kind of lifestyle does she lead? If she has a job or hobby that requires her to wear gloves, she’d be better off with a setting that doesn’t have exposed diamonds on the band. Solitaire and channel-set rings are both practical options as they minimize the risk of the diamonds getting caught or falling out. A less hands-on lifestyle would allow for more exposed diamonds on the band – pavé being the obvious example.

Extra! Extra! Read All About It!

14K White Gold Vintage Inspired Floral Bouquet Engagement Ring — Vintage Inspired Floral Bouquet Engagement Ring

14K White Gold Spiral Tension Set Engagement Ring — Spiral Tension Set Engagement Ring

If your girl is more Devil Wears Prada than Devil Wears Nada, you might consider a more daring setting. Pay close attention to her wardrobe. If she dresses to impress and won’t touch anything unless it’s by a top designer, go for something with character, such as a vintage engagement ring or hyper-modern tension ring.

Glow-Key Glam

14K White Gold Baguette Diamond Engagement Ring — Baguette Diamond Engagement Ring

If, on the other hand, her idea of glamour is a pair of old jeans and a t-shirt, we’d recommend opting for something simple like a baguette side-stone engagement ring. Understated yet elegant.

Finding Her Engagement Ring Style: A Sure Thing

14K White Gold Presentation Solitaire (Six Prong) — Six Prong Presentation Solitaire Engagement Ring

If none of the above tips speak to you, no one would fault you for playing it safe and going with a classic style such as a solitaire. This is essentially a single center diamond mounted on a plain setting. Solitaires are considered classics for a reason: they work with practically any individual style and never go out of fashion.

Once you’ve figured out your setting style, it’s time to consider the diamond shape. If you have even the slightest doubt about what shape to get, you can’t go wrong with a round cut. Round-cut diamonds are by far the most popular shape for engagement rings, owing to their perfect geometry and abundant sparkle. These timeless classics are tried and true, but if it’s a little more edge you’re after, a princess or cushion-cut diamond should suffice.

Walk a Mile in Her Style

How did you manage to pinpoint your partner’s style preference? Did you go undercover or were you upfront about it? Let us know in the comments below or over on Instagram, Facebook, Snapchat, or Twitter.

For more invaluable ring-buying tips and tricks, check out the previous posts in our men’s FAQ series.

Pin the style on your fiancée!

finding her engagement ring style pinterest pin

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Jonny Hart

Jonny is passionate about puns, adores alliteration, and finds diamonds positively facet-nating! Since joining James Allen, he has written the word 'sparkle’ 9,732 times and counting.

Cushion Cut Diamonds with a Classic Glow

July 24, 2018October 13, 2021Diamonds, Education, Engagement RingsAffordable engagement rings, celebrity engagement rings, cushion cut diamonds, cushion cut engagement rings, diamond education, diamond engagement rings, diamonds, education, shape series

Cushion cut diamonds are the chic descendant of the historic old mine cut. A square shape with rounded corners, these pillow-shaped diamonds are a total dream.

Browse Cushion Cut Diamonds

Why Cushion Cut Diamonds?

The cushion brilliant cut features 58 facets that reflect and refract light, carrying its antique romantic charm into the 21st century.

Fleur De Lis Pavé Engagement Ring

Originally, cushion cut diamonds were designed to catch the beauty of candlelight in the 18th century (A.K.A. when every dinner was a candlelit dinner).

Princess Channel-Set Engagement Ring

Looking for a fancy colored diamond? Look no further than the cushion cut! Cushion cut fancy colored diamonds are especially vivid.

Cross Prong Solitaire Engagement Ring

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Who Rocks Cushion Cut Engagement Rings?

Almost every engagement ring featured a sparkling cushion cut diamond until the early 1900s. In the century that followed, cushion cut diamonds went through a gorgeous renaissance.

Comfort Fit Solitaire Engagement Ring

Among those who have chosen cushion cut allure for their engagement rings? Celeb powerhouses including Sofia Vergara, Kelly Rowland, Jessica Biel, Kim Kardashian, and Bar Refaeli.

Cushion Outline Halo Engagement Ring

Shop Cushion Cut Diamond Engagement Rings

What to Know About Cushion Cut Diamonds

Make sure the corners and sides of the diamond are symmetrical to achieve ideal sparkle! For surefire harmony, choose a True Hearts cushion cut from our premier collection of perfectly symmetrical diamonds.

Frame Halo Vintage Engagement Ring

Standard or Modified Cushion Cut Diamonds?

Modified cushion cuts have an extra row of facets on their pavilion, which gives them a kind of “crushed ice” look. To the untrained eye, standard and modified cushion cut diamonds look mostly identical.

Petite Diamond Accent Engagement Ring

More Dreamy Cushion Cut Diamond Engagement Rings

Baguette Three-Stone Engagement Ring

Lotus Basket Pavé Engagement Ring

Ready to cushion the glow? Create your Cushion Cut Diamond Engagement Ring.

If you’re obsessed with one (or more!) of these rings, let us know in the comments below, or on our social channels: Instagram, Facebook, Snapchat, or Twitter.

Learn more in our diamond shapes blog series!

Pin this image to return to vintage sparkle: