Home Get Inspired Rings Engagement Moon & Star Engraved Double-Band Engagement Ring

A white gold engagement ring with a split double band engraved with small stars and crescent moons, set with a large rectangular radiant-cut diamond positioned horizontally.

Moon & Star Engraved Double-Band Engagement Ring

$$$

14k white gold, lab-grown diamond

A client wanted an engagement ring with real presence on the hand, inspired by cigar bands but softened with a whimsical celestial motif of moons and stars. After learning that a specific branded diamond cut was out of reach for the budget, she pivoted to a lab-grown radiant cut set horizontally across a wide double band, adding a short inside engraving to the final design. When it arrived, she wrote: 'It's beautiful! Absolutely stunning! It's everything we talked about and more.' The ring debuted at a proposal weeks later, where it was met with a yes.

'It's beautiful! Absolutely stunning! It's everything we talked about and more.' — on delivery

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Daily wear Gift for partner Proposal Engagement Ring Alternative / non-conventional, Non-traditional stone, Surprise proposal

Quick specs

Design type

Rings Engagement

Primary Metal

White gold 14k

Shape / Cut

Radiant Cut

Primary Stone

Lab diamond

Accent Stones

None

Style

Celestial starburst Crescent moon East west Engraved Modern Solitaire Star Western

Design Complexity

Moderate

Intent

Engagement Ring Alternative / non-conventional, Non-traditional stone, Surprise proposal

Intent: Certainty

High

Size

Ring size 7.5 US (17.73mm). Center stone 1.99 carat radiant cut, set horizontally (east-west).

How they made it distinctive

01
Radiant cut diamond set horizontally (east-west) rather than the standard vertical orientation, for a distinctive, non-traditional look
02
Split double band structure gives visual substance on the hand without a thin, delicate profile
03
Moon and star engravings carried across both bands for a whimsical celestial motif inspired by cigar band styling
04
Wide solid section at the back of the shank doubles as the only surface wide enough to carry a legible inside engraving
05
Center stone sized to just under 2 carats to maximize presence on the finger while staying within budget

How you'd make it yours

Stone type: this piece uses a lab-grown radiant cut diamond — a new commission could use a natural diamond or a colored gem like sapphire for a different look

Metal: this piece is 14k white gold — the same double-band design works in yellow or rose gold

Engraving: the solid back portion of the band can carry a new short inscription on a fresh commission

Band width: the wide cigar-band-inspired profile could be narrowed for a more delicate feel on a new piece

Motif: the moon-and-star engraving could be swapped for a different repeating pattern while keeping the same band structure

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

Design changes made

The center stone shifted from a branded Ashoka cut to a lab-grown radiant cut after the original stone proved cost-prohibitive, and the carat weight grew from an initial 1–1.5 carat estimate to just under 2 carats. A short inside engraving was also added to the solid back portion of the band after the design render was approved.

Who this is for

This design is for someone who wants an engagement ring with real presence on the hand but doesn't want it to read as delicate or overly traditional. It's especially right if you're drawn to non-standard stone orientations and a bit of whimsy — celestial details, an unconventional band structure — over a classic solitaire look.

How it's made

Once the design was approved, a 3D-printed resin model was produced first — a preview of the ring's exact form, shared with the client before any metal was committed. The resin was then set in investment plaster and fired to burn out the model, leaving a hollow mold. Molten 14k white gold was cast into the mold, then the piece was extracted, cleaned, and prepared for finishing. The split double band was polished to a bright, even finish across both halves, with the moon and star details left crisp against the smooth metal so the engraved pattern reads clearly rather than blending into a brushed surface. The radiant-cut lab diamond was set horizontally in a four-prong setting to hold the elongated stone securely in its east-west orientation. The inside engraving was added to the solid back portion of the shank, chosen specifically because the split bands were too narrow to carry legible lettering.

Key note

The inside engraving had to be placed on the solid back portion of the band rather than the decorative split sections, because the narrow width of the twin bands couldn't hold legible lettering.

Pricing guidance

A wide, double-band engagement ring with a large horizontally-set center stone and hand-engraved detailing sits in the mid range for custom engagement rings of this complexity. Most of the baseline cost comes from the setting labor for an east-west stone and the engraving work across two band surfaces, with the center stone carat weight being the largest single variable. Metal choice and stone sourcing (natural vs. lab) are where the price moves most from there.

Moves price up ↑

↑
Choosing a natural diamond instead of a lab-grown diamond at the same carat weight
↑
Increasing the center stone above 2 carats
↑
Requesting a branded or patented diamond cut, which carries licensing and sourcing premiums
↑
Adding engraving or stone accents to both split bands rather than a single inside inscription
↑
Upgrading from 14k to 18k white gold or platinum

Moves price down ↓

↓
Reducing the center stone size below 1.5 carats
↓
Choosing a standard cut (round, princess) instead of a fancy shape like radiant or emerald
↓
Simplifying the band to a single shank rather than a split double band
↓
Omitting the engraved moon and star pattern
↓
Choosing a slightly lower clarity grade, which is not visible to the naked eye at this carat range

Questions people ask

What's the difference between a radiant cut and an emerald cut diamond?

Both are rectangular step-style shapes, but a radiant cut uses brilliant faceting that produces significantly more sparkle, while an emerald cut uses a stepped facet pattern that creates a more subtle, mirror-like flash. Radiant cuts can also be square or rectangular, while emerald cuts are always rectangular. For a stone set horizontally in an east-west orientation, the extra brilliance of a radiant cut tends to catch more light across its width. The choice generally comes down to whether you want maximum sparkle or a more understated, elegant look.

Is a lab-grown diamond the same as a natural diamond?

Yes, lab-grown diamonds are chemically, physically, and optically identical to natural diamonds — they have the same hardness, clarity potential, and brilliance. The only real difference is origin: one is grown in a controlled lab environment and the other is mined from the earth. Lab-grown diamonds are typically priced significantly lower than natural diamonds of the same carat, cut, and clarity. At the microscopic clarity differences some grading reports show, the naked eye cannot tell the difference between grades like VS1 and VS2.

What does a 2-carat lab diamond engagement ring typically cost?

A ring with a 2-carat lab-grown diamond in a mid-complexity white gold setting typically falls in the mid range for custom engagement rings. The center stone size and cut style are the biggest cost drivers at this carat weight, with setting complexity (like an east-west orientation or a double band) adding to the base labor cost. Choosing natural over lab-grown at the same carat weight would push the price meaningfully higher. Setting style, metal karat, and engraving detail are the next-biggest variables.

Can a diamond be set sideways instead of the standard vertical orientation?

Yes, this is called an east-west setting, and it's a deliberate design choice rather than a technical limitation. It works especially well with elongated shapes like radiant, emerald, or marquise cuts because the horizontal orientation shows off the stone's length across the finger rather than its width. The prong setting has to be adjusted to properly secure the stone in this rotated position. It's a popular choice for clients who want a distinctive, non-traditional look.

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

The full process typically takes around five to six weeks from design approval to completion. The first week covers the sketch, 3D model, and photorealistic render for approval. Once the design and diamond are confirmed, casting and hand-finishing take about four to five weeks, including wax modeling, metal casting, stone setting, and final polishing. Sourcing a specific carat-weight diamond can add a few extra days if the exact stone needs to be located.

Can you engrave the inside of a split or double-band ring?

It depends on the width of the bands. Very narrow split bands often can't hold legible lettering, so engraving is usually placed on a solid or wider portion of the shank instead. If your design has a wider back section or a single solid band area, that's typically the best spot for an inscription. It's worth discussing engraving placement early in the design process so the band width can accommodate it if needed.

Why would someone choose a radiant cut over a round or princess cut diamond?

A radiant cut offers a distinctive rectangular or square silhouette with brilliant faceting, giving it more visual presence on the finger than a round cut of the same carat weight, since more of the stone is visible from the top. It's also considered less common than round or princess cuts, appealing to those who want a diamond that stands out. The brilliant facet pattern gives it significant sparkle despite its more angular shape. It pairs particularly well with elongated or horizontal settings.

Does a wider engagement ring band feel different to wear than a thin one?

Yes, a wider band distributes weight differently across the finger and tends to feel more substantial without necessarily feeling heavy, especially in a split or double-band design where some of the width is open space rather than solid metal. Wider bands can also be a practical choice for someone who wants a ring with visual presence but doesn't want a delicate, thin profile. The tradeoff is that wider bands may need more careful sizing since they contact more of the finger's surface.