Celebrity Inspired
Ciaraβs Engagement Ring: The Cushion Five-Stone
A big cushion with four side stones stepping down from it β how the design works, and why five stones means five things to match.
Written by the Mapple Gems workshop, Surat Β· Updated 26 September 2026
Short answer: Ciaraβs engagement ring from Russell Wilson, given in March 2016, is a large cushion-cut diamond β most often estimated at about 16 carats β flanked on each side by a trapezoid and a pear-shaped diamond, in platinum. Our inspired version is a cushion moissanite or IGI-certified lab grown diamond with half-moon and trillion side stones, 2 to 5 carats.
Russell Wilson proposed to Ciara in March 2016 during a holiday in the Seychelles, and she shared the ring on Instagram soon after. The centre is a large cushion-cut diamond, widely estimated at around 16 carats, with four side stones: a trapezoid beside the cushion on each side, then a pear on each outer edge. It is usually described as set in platinum. None of the numbers has been confirmed, and a few early reports even called the centre a round.
How a five-stone design works
The idea is a stepped taper: the stones get smaller and more pointed as they move away from the centre, so the eye travels inward to the cushion. Each pair of side stones has a job. The inner pair widens the centre and adds a flat edge against the cushionβs side; the outer pair finishes the line with a point. Our version uses half moons against the cushion (a straight edge to meet it, a curved outer edge) and trillions β triangular stones β on the outside, which keeps the same stepped effect.
The original compared with our inspired version
| Ciaraβs ring (as reported) | Mapple Gems inspired version | |
|---|---|---|
| Centre stone | Cushion diamond, commonly ~16ct | Cushion moissanite or lab grown diamond, 2β5ct |
| Inner side stones | Trapezoids | Half moons |
| Outer side stones | Pears | Trillions |
| Metal | Commonly reported as platinum | 925 silver or solid 10K/14K/18K yellow, rose or white gold |
| Paperwork | Not public | IGI certificate with lab grown centre; moissanite is not graded |
For the icier look of the original, choose white gold; yellow gold gives a warmer, more vintage version and softens moissaniteβs fire.
Moissanite or lab grown diamond?
With five stones, the saving from moissanite (silicon carbide, Mohs 9.25, dispersion 0.104) multiplies across every stone, and the small side stones show little extra fire because dispersion needs depth. The cushion centre will show more colour at 4 or 5 carats. Lab grown diamond (Mohs 10, dispersion 0.044) is closest to the original, with an IGI certificate for the centre; the small side stones are usually not individually certified in any material. Cushions have no cut grade, so judge the centre on rotating video.
From the workshop
A five-stone ring has more corners and points than almost any other design: four on the cushion, two on each half moon, three on each trillion. Every one is a place where a knock can chip a stone, and every one should be covered by a prong. Count them on the close-up before you approve anything. The other test is symmetry β hold a ruler along the top of the ring in the photograph; the left half moon and trillion should mirror the right in size and angle exactly. Five-stone rings go wrong when one pair is fractionally off, because the eye reads the whole line at once.
Before you order
- Ask for the total width across all five stones; it can easily exceed 15mm.
- Count prongs over every corner and point.
- Check left-right symmetry of the side stones in a straight-on photo.
- Plan the wedding band now β five-stone rings rarely sit flush with a straight band.
Frequently asked questions
What shape is Ciaraβs engagement ring?
A large cushion-cut diamond flanked on each side by a trapezoid and a pear-shaped diamond β five stones in total.
How many carats is Ciaraβs engagement ring?
It has not been confirmed. The centre is most commonly estimated at about 16 carats.
Where did Russell Wilson propose to Ciara?
In the Seychelles, in March 2016.
What is a five-stone engagement ring?
A ring with a centre stone and two pairs of side stones, usually stepping down in size so the line tapers away from the centre.
Is moissanite a good choice for a five-stone ring?
Yes. The saving applies to every stone and small side stones look almost identical to diamond. Moissanite is not a diamond and is not graded; lab grown diamond gives a closer match and an IGI certificate for the centre.
The cushion five-stone, made to order
2 to 5 carat centres, silver to 18K gold.
In moissanite In lab grown diamondMapple Gems is an independent workshop in Surat, India, and is not affiliated with, sponsored by or endorsed by Ciara or Russell Wilson. βInspiredβ describes a design reference, not a copy. Details of the original ring come from published reporting; carat and price figures in the press are estimates.
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