If you've been scrolling engagement ring inspiration lately, you'll have noticed a shift: diamonds turned on their side. It's called an east-west setting, and it's quickly become one of the most requested styles we're seeing in the showroom this year.

What is an east-west setting?

Traditionally, the centre stone of an engagement ring sits vertically along your finger, point to point. In an east-west setting, the stone is rotated horizontally instead, running side to side. It sounds like a small change, but it completely shifts the character of the ring, giving it a bold, linear, editorial look while keeping all the elegance of a classic solitaire.

Why everyone's talking about it

Part of the appeal is how fresh it feels without being a fleeting trend. East-west rings have picked up serious momentum this year, helped along by a run of celebrity engagements and red carpet moments, and couples are increasingly drawn to designs that feel like a modern heirloom rather than something you'd see on every hand at a wedding.

They're also brilliantly practical for stacking. Because the stone runs horizontally, an east-west ring leaves a beautifully clean space either side for a wedding band or eternity ring to sit flush against it later on, something a lot of our clients are already thinking about when they choose their engagement ring.

The best shapes for the look

Not every cut suits an east-west setting equally. Elongated shapes tend to work best, because they lean into that horizontal line rather than fighting it:

• Emerald cut — the most popular choice for east-west, its clean lines and step-cut facets suit the linear silhouette beautifully
• Oval cut — softer and more rounded, with plenty of sparkle
• Pear cut — creates the illusion of a larger stone when set sideways
• Marquise cut — dramatically accentuates the length of the finger

See it for yourself

Whether you already know you want an east-west setting, or you're simply curious to try one on and see how it feels, pop into the showroom and we'll show you the collection in person. Sometimes a ring makes far more sense on your hand than it ever did on a screen.