rundown
Dove Cameron sparked engagement rumors in late October when she was photographed with her partner of two years, Damiano David, in Sydney. Shortly after Cameron wore a large diamond ring on his left ring finger, TMZ reported that David had recently popped the question.
On January 3, Cameron confirmed the news himself with a clear photo of his halo diamond engagement ring. “What I love most about being alive 💍 Happy New Year,” she wrote on Instagram.
This ring has a bit of a throwback feel to it, with one very trendy option. Asscher cut center stone. “The Dove ring is a unique twist on the halo engagement ring trend of the 2010s, when soft cushions and round cuts were most common in this setting style,” Lauren Bock, founder and CEO of Hella Fine Jewelry, tells ELLE.
Angie Kennedy, vice president of merchandising at Zales, agrees. “Dove rings beautifully blend modern sophistication with romantic glamour. Two rows of pavé-set diamonds with halos add character and glamor, and the diamond emphasis reflects today’s trends toward timeless and expressive designs.”
Jewelers spoke to ELLE about the statement sparkler and its details.
Cameron’s ring appears to feature a large Asscher cut diamond surrounded by smaller pavé diamonds.
Steph Mazuela, who founded her own bespoke engagement ring brand of the same name, said Cameron’s center stone appears to be an Asscher cut. She tells ELLE: “The Asscher cut is so beautiful and unique. It was used in a lot of Art Deco jewelry from the 1920s and ’30s, but it feels very modern when incorporated into a modern environment. The shank of the band also has diamond pavé, creating a sparkling shine throughout the piece.”
Bock added, “I like this choice because the Asscher cut is one of my favorites. It’s a square step cut that originates from the Art Deco era and has a beautiful architectural look.”
Alexandra Samit, founder and CEO of Alexandra Beth Fine Jewelry, said: “Asscher cut diamonds are known for their unique, edgy charm and timeless elegance, making them a treasured moment with our brides. Their striking step-cut facets and architectural lines give them a bold, glamorous presence with a vintage edge, making the Asscher cut a truly standout statement stone.”
The center stone is estimated to be between 2 and 4 carats.
Summit, Mazuela, Kennedy, and Bock had similar size estimates, with all but Mazuela placing their ring sizes within the 3-4 carat range.
Mazuela believes the center stone is between two and three carats, explaining that “Dove rings can give the illusion of a larger hand because of the halo around the diamond.” As for price, “it’ll probably be in the $25,000 to $60,000 range,” she added.
Boc estimates the stone’s value at about 3.5 carats, but notes that its value can vary widely. “There’s going to be a huge range depending on whether it’s closer to 3 carats or closer to 4 carats and the quality of the diamond as measured by cut quality, color and clarity,” she says. “I think it’s somewhere between $75,000 and $125,000.”
Kennedy agreed, saying the estimate “could be in the six-figure range, depending on cut, clarity, color, etc.” Summit gave a similar valuation, saying it was probably worth “at least $300,000.”
It has a split shank setting encrusted with pavé diamonds.
Summitt says Cameron’s ring has a more maximalist setting. “This environment is at the intersection of tradition and glamor,” she explains. “The halo and split shank reflect a maximalist bridal revival, while the rose gold brings a soft, romantic warmth. Pavé details that catch the light from every angle give the protagonist a blend of energy and modern heirloom.”
Mazuela noted that this setting “maximizes sparkle and detail from every angle,” noting that “diamond pavé covers nearly every surface of Dove’s ring.” She added, “This ring features a split shank, with two rows of diamond pavé that appear to split and expand as they meet the center stone.”
Mazuela emphasizes the double band in the ring setting for durability. “That means there’s plenty of material to support the center stone and hold all the diamonds in place. When creating a ring that’s meant to last forever, it’s important not to go too extravagant, especially when incorporating diamond pavé on each surface.”
Kennedy agrees that the split-band setup provides better stability “because it provides a more stable and secure foundation for the larger center stone.”
However, Summitt warns that rings with extensive pavé settings require careful handling. “The pavé details and split-shank design make it more delicate than a classic solitaire, as each tiny diamond is set into the band,” she says.
Mr. Bock added, “Pave settings like this are prone to stones falling off, so over time you will have to maintain the ring when small diamonds fall out. We are confident that this ring is very well made, so It keeps the diamonds safer than similar rings from big box stores or low-end jewelry stores. And since Dove probably doesn’t use her hands every day like a normal person, like cooking or cleaning, the diamonds are less likely to fall out.”
The ring appears to be rose gold, a less common but very feminine metal choice.
Cameron’s sparklers are set with lots of diamonds and the rare metal rose gold. Bock singled out this choice, saying, “It’s very unusual. A diamond-encrusted engagement ring in rose gold has a very feminine and unique look.”
Cameron’s engagement ring draws on bridal jewelry trends from the early 2000s to the 2010s.
Bock points out that Cameron’s halo diamond ring design is a fresh take on the 2010s halo engagement ring trend with an Asscher-cut center stone.
Mazuela agrees: “Dove rings have a decidedly personal feel, which is in line with a big trend in engagement jewelry right now. People are moving away from traditional silhouettes and opting for designs that feel meaningful and custom to them. Interestingly, halos have become less common in recent years, but we’re starting to see them make a comeback, suggesting that the halo style of the early 2000s is quietly making a comeback.”
Rings like Cameron’s are best paired with simpler wedding bands.
Most jewelers recommend Cameron to pair the ring with a pavé band. Boc is an exception and recommends solid gold bands. “It would also look nice in contrast with other diamonds,” she says. “A solid band also prevents damage to the engagement ring. Because engagement rings have a lot of pavé, if you stack them with a pavé wedding ring, over time the friction will wear away the small protrusions on both rings. At Hella, we do a lot of educating our customers about how pavé wedding and engagement rings wear out over time.”
Mazuela suggests contour bands or delicate pavé bands designed to stack safely with your engagement ring. “If she chooses to wear her wedding ring on the same hand, a custom band is ideal, either a contoured design that curves around the halo or a delicate pavé band that stacks neatly underneath.”
Summitt agrees with Pavé’s recommendation, albeit from a different perspective. “Her engagement ring is a statement piece on its own, so she styled her wedding ring on the opposite side to let the diamonds shine. Her rose gold Asscher cut eternity band really complements it.”
Kennedy supports all three options. “A slim pavé eternity band, a plain band, or even a contoured band that wraps around the center stone can work beautifully together,” she says. “To maintain balance, it’s best to keep the band to a minimum so it doesn’t compete with the bold center diamond.”
Cameron and David both made the unusual choice of choosing complementary engagement rings.
Cameron and David announced their engagement on Instagram with a sparkler display. Matching engagement rings are “something you don’t see very often,” Kennedy said. “The rings are really complementary, with each ring set with matching Asscher-cut diamonds in 18k rose gold, making them feel even more thoughtful and intentional.”
