Home Get Inspired Rings Engagement Delicate Princess-Cut Ring With Gold Leaf Accents

A white gold engagement ring with an elongated princess-cut diamond set in V-shaped cathedral prongs, flanked by marquise diamonds and small round diamonds, with solid yellow gold leaf accents at the shoulders and pave diamonds along half the band.

Delicate Princess-Cut Ring With Gold Leaf Accents

$$$

14k white gold, 14k yellow gold, lab diamond, diamonds

N. and her husband married without rings, and she'd been wearing a placeholder that never felt like hers — the stone too large, the ring "wearing her" instead of the other way around. She wanted something delicate: floral, filigree, pave, a cathedral setting that would hold a smaller stone with room to breathe. Working through several rounds of feedback on leaf placement and stone scatter, the design came together as a princess-cut diamond set on point with gold leaves reaching out from the shoulders. When it arrived, she wrote that it was "beyond gorgeous."

'Wow! I think that looks fabulous and way better than I could ever imagine!' — on seeing the first render

'Thank you so much, I received my ring and its beyond gorgeous!' — on delivery

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Daily wear For herself Engagement Ring Minimal / modern, Self-purchasing / wearer-led

Quick specs

Design type

Rings Engagement

Primary Metal

White gold 14k

Secondary Metal

Yellow gold 14k

Shape / Cut

Princess on point

Primary Stone

Lab diamond

Accent Stones

Diamonds

Style

Cathedral Leaf Organic Pave Three Stone Vine

Design Complexity

Complex

Intent

Engagement Ring Minimal / modern, Self-purchasing / wearer-led

Intent: Certainty

High

Size

Ring size 6 US (16.51mm). Band width 2mm at base, wider at shoulders. Center stone 5.54x5.51x3.88mm, 1.01ct.

How they made it distinctive

01
Princess cut center stone set on point — rotated for a more elongated silhouette than a standard princess setting
02
V-shaped prongs on all four corners specifically requested for added structural security
03
Gallery rail added beneath the setting at the client's request, for extra reinforcement under the center stone
04
Yellow gold leaves cast as a separate solid piece and assembled onto the white gold band, rather than plated, so the color is permanent
05
Leaf placement and stone scatter refined over several rounds of feedback to keep the design delicate rather than busy
06
Pave diamonds set only partway down the shank to keep the front of the ring as the visual focus

How you'd make it yours

Stone: this piece uses a lab princess-cut diamond; a new commission could use a natural diamond, moissanite, or a colored stone for a different look

Metal: this piece uses white gold with solid yellow gold leaf accents; the same two-tone approach works in other gold combinations, or could be simplified to one metal

Center stone size: this piece is set at approximately 1 carat; a new piece is sized to the wearer's preference

Pave coverage: this piece has pave partway down the shank; a new commission could extend it fully around or remove it for a plainer band

Engraving: the inside of the band can carry a new inscription on a fresh commission

One of a kind: this exact ring was designed for one client's hand and stone preferences and is not reproduced — a new commission is an original piece inspired by this one, not a copy

Design changes made

The client requested V-shaped prongs on all corners for added structure, then asked for a gallery rail underneath to further reinforce the center stone. She also switched the leaf accents from a single metal to solid yellow gold against a white gold band, which required modeling the leaves as a separate cast piece assembled onto the ring.

Who this is for

This piece is for someone who wants an engagement ring that feels delicate rather than dominant on the hand — a ring that fits naturally instead of overwhelming it. It's especially right if you've tried on rings that felt too heavy or too large and are looking for something with presence but not weight, with nature-inspired details that still read as refined rather than casual.

How it's made

Once the client approved the final render, the design was sent into production and a resin model was 3D printed as the first physical version of the ring, shared with the client for reference before casting. Because the leaves were specified in solid yellow gold rather than plating, they were modeled and cast as a separate piece from the white gold body. Each was invested in plaster, fired to burn out the resin, and cast in its respective 14k gold. After casting, the white gold body and the yellow gold leaves were cleaned, refined by hand, and assembled together so the leaves extend outward from the shoulders. The princess-cut center stone was set on point using V-shaped prongs at each corner, with a gallery rail added beneath for extra support. The marquise and round accent diamonds were then hand-set around the center, and pave diamonds were set partway down the shank to complete the design.

Key note

The yellow gold leaves were cast as a completely separate piece from the white gold band and then assembled together, rather than plated, so the two-tone color is permanent rather than a surface coating.

Pricing guidance

A two-tone engagement ring with a princess-cut center stone, cathedral setting, and hand-set floral leaf accents sits in the mid range for custom engagement work of this complexity. Most of the added cost comes from the two-piece construction required for solid two-tone metal and the labor of hand-setting the scattered marquise and round accents. Center stone size and diamond origin are the other major variables.

Moves price up ↑

↑
Increasing the center stone size beyond 1 carat
↑
Choosing a natural diamond center stone instead of lab-grown
↑
Extending the pave setting fully around the band instead of halfway
↑
Adding more marquise or round accent stones around the center
↑
Upgrading the accent diamonds to a higher clarity or color grade

Moves price down ↓

↓
Choosing a single metal throughout instead of separately cast two-tone leaves
↓
Reducing the center stone size below 1 carat
↓
Simplifying the leaf accents to plating rather than solid cast gold
↓
Using moissanite in place of a lab diamond center stone
↓
Reducing the pave coverage on the band

Questions people ask

What does it mean for a princess cut diamond to be set 'on point'?

A princess cut is a square-shaped diamond, and setting it 'on point' means rotating it 45 degrees so one corner points up rather than a flat edge. This creates a more elongated, diamond-like visual silhouette compared to a standard princess cut setting. It's a deliberate styling choice rather than a different cut of stone. V-shaped prongs are typically used at each corner to protect the vulnerable points of the stone in this orientation.

Are lab-grown diamonds as durable as natural diamonds?

Yes. Lab-grown and natural diamonds are chemically and structurally identical, both rating a 10 on the Mohs hardness scale, which is the hardest natural material. There is no difference in how they wear, scratch, or hold up to daily use. The only difference is origin — one is grown in a controlled lab environment, the other is mined — and lab diamonds are typically available at a lower cost for the same size and quality.

Can you make an engagement ring with two different gold colors?

Yes, two-tone designs are achievable in a few different ways. One option is to cast the entire ring in one metal and then plate certain elements in a second color, which is more affordable but will wear over time. The other option, used on this ring, is to cast the two color elements as separate pieces in solid metal and assemble them together, which is more labor-intensive but permanent. The right approach depends on how much of the design is in the second color and the client's budget.

What is a cathedral setting on an engagement ring?

A cathedral setting refers to a style where the band arches or rises up on either side of the center stone, similar to the arching lines of a cathedral ceiling, before meeting at the stone. It elevates the center stone and creates a more architectural, formal profile compared to a flush or low-set stone. It also provides structural support beneath the center stone. This style pairs well with both simple solitaires and more detailed designs with side accents.

How long does it take to make a custom engagement ring like this?

The design phase — sketch, 3D model, and rendering for approval — typically takes about one to two weeks, though a design with unusual requirements like a custom cathedral setting or separately cast two-tone metal can take a bit longer to get right. Once the design is approved and full payment is made, production typically takes another three to five weeks, including sourcing the center stone, casting, and hand-finishing. Total turnaround from first approval to delivery is usually five to eight weeks for a design of this complexity.

What does a ring like this typically cost and why?

A ring with a one-carat lab diamond center stone, cathedral setting, and separately cast two-tone gold leaf accents falls in the mid range for custom engagement rings. The cost is driven primarily by the two-piece metal construction and the hand-setting labor required for the scattered marquise and round accent stones around the center. Choosing a single metal or a smaller center stone would bring the cost down, while a larger or natural diamond would push it up.

Can the leaf details be added to a different ring design?

Yes, leaf and vine motifs extending from the shoulders of a band work well on many engagement ring styles, not just this specific setting. The key design choice is how far the leaves extend and whether they're solid cast gold or plated onto a single-metal base. Solid cast leaves in a contrasting metal color hold their color permanently, while plated leaves are more affordable but will need re-plating over time.

Will the V-shaped prongs be more or less secure than standard prongs?

V-shaped prongs are specifically designed to protect the vulnerable pointed corners of a princess cut diamond, especially when the stone is set on point. Because each V-prong wraps around a corner with two contact points instead of one, they generally distribute pressure more evenly than a single rounded prong would in the same position. Adding a gallery rail beneath the setting, as was done on this ring, provides further structural reinforcement. Overall, this combination is considered a secure setting method for a cornered stone shape.