The Shape of Things to Come: All About the Shield Cut Diamond

The dynamic shield cut diamond is flying into engagement rings.

By Marion Fasel, Published: November 10, 2025

Reporting on trends is far from an exact science. Yet we do have our methods. When it comes to engagement rings, it goes a little something like this: First, we spot a style across a handful of jewelry collections. Then we gather evidence about the style’s success. This information can come from designers, retailers, or brides. The look is an absolute lock if a celebrity gets engaged in the style we are watching and proceeds to give it high-profile exposure by sharing it on social media or showing it off on the red carpet.

Taylor Swift’s antique cushion-cut diamond is the perfect example of the trend pattern in full effect. Selena Gomez worked the same magic for the marvelous marquise shape diamond. These women heightened the profile of off-the-beaten-track diamond shapes and made them wildly desirable. An example of the cycle being sustained over an extended period is the oval-shaped diamond engagement ring. Many celebrities have chosen this style, including Hailey Bieber, Simone Biles, and Lady Gaga.

Meet the Expert

7 Shield Cut Diamond Rings: A Unique Engagement Ring Shape

Marion Fasel is an esteemed jewelry expert, author, curator, and trend forecaster.
She is the founder and Editorial Director of The Adventurine online jewelry magazine.
She is the author of several books, including The History of Diamond Engagement Rings: A True Romance.

The Rise of the Shield Cut Diamond

shield cut diamond ring Jemma Wynne — Prive Luxe Diamond “Isadora” Ring (Courtesy of Jemma Wynne)

I wanted to review our behind-the-scenes process because the shield-shaped diamond engagement ring took a slightly different path to reach these pages. It’s been exciting for all of us at this publication, who watch diamond engagement rings so closely, follow the unusual shape rise in popularity to trend level. Let me explain.

Unlike the other gem shapes I just named, the shield cut diamond has never historically been the focus of engagement rings. However, it has played a creative role in jewelry. During the Roaring Twenties, shields experienced perhaps their greatest period of popularity. The shape, which resembles a warrior’s shield in the same kind of artistic way a baguette-cut diamond looks like the French bread, punctuated chandelier earrings, pendant necklaces, and wide diamond bracelets.

Now, 100 years later, the shield cut diamond is stepping into the spotlight as a star of engagement rings. Jemma Wynne is one of a handful of visionary jewelry labels championing the look. “We’re drawn to anything that’s Art Deco,” explained Stephanie Wynne, who creates the Jemma Wynne collection with Jenny Klatt. “Finding special and different things that not everyone will have in an engagement ring is really important to us.”

Shaping the Shield Cut Diamond

shield cut diamond ring Single Stone — Single Stone Ezra Ring (Courtesy of Single Stone)

Shield-shaped diamonds are also somewhat rare because the rough diamonds they are cut from must be a specific shape. The five-sided girdle, or center, of the stone is unusual. It has a flat top, a pointed bottom, and short and long angles on the sides.

Shields can be found in a variety of proportions. There are long, lean shields. There are styles that resemble the profile of a round brilliant-cut diamond. And just about everything in between.

The light emitted from shields isn’t bonfire-level. “It’s a watery, subtle sparkle,” explains Wynne. “There’s an elegance to the light that’s totally different with the long facets. The light is similar to that of an emerald cut.”

Similar to other fancy Art Deco shapes, such as the marquise and emerald cuts, designers now set shield-shaped diamonds in engagement rings in more experimental ways. They are often positioned on their side in an east-west setting. Sometimes, they are mounted at an angle, called akimbo.

A few designers have set the flat side of a shield shape against the band of a ring and the point up, creating a dramatic look. Others set the band of the ring in the middle of the diamond shape, almost giving it the appearance of an angular heart shape. Designers have also placed two small, shield-shaped diamonds with their flat tops together in a setting, creating a modern take on the historic Toi et Moi two-stone engagement ring style.

When designers set shield-shaped diamonds in rings with the point down and the flat side up, they reveal its true superpower—and its only current celebrity connection.

The Shield Cut Diamond Is Made for a Superhero

While a shield cut diamond has not been chosen for an engagement ring by a pop star or an actress, the silhouette was all over the summer blockbuster Superman. On Superman’s chest and on the back of his cape shield shapes frame the S. The superhero-scene-stealing dog, Krypto, had the shield shape on his cape and a shield shape S charm on his collar. Of course, Supergirl sports the shield, too.

In the world of Superman, the shield is the House of El’s family crest on the planet Krypton. It symbolizes hope. The newly added mantra about Superman’s kindness in the movie highlights how rare this quality is today and why it should be valued. Historically in the real world, the shield represented protection.

All of this symbolism creates a beautiful message for an engagement ring. Add to that the absolutely unique look of the diamond shape, which brides are interested in today, and the shield cut diamond becomes truly special.