A 5 Carat Emerald Cut with Trapezoid Side Stones: Big Without Being Too Much
By Clint Casmiro, Co-Founder, Smiro Studio, Toronto · Updated September 28, 2026
Short answer: This ring is a 5 carat emerald cut with two 1.5 carat trapezoid side stones, and all three are step cut. Step cuts have long, flat facets that give broad flashes instead of busy sparkle, so a very big ring reads as quiet and luxurious rather than loud. The three stones run edge to edge across the finger for full coverage.
This is a really big diamond ring that does not look like too much. Here is why, plus a few other rings clients brought us.
Read the video transcript
Hi, we're SMIRO STUDIO. These are six extremely cool girl engagement rings that you probably will never see again. The client originally sent us AI images. The ring is this 4 carat emerald cut centre stone, low profile flower basket setting. It turned out so, so nice. Image to real life. AI's coming for your job. Maybe not mine, maybe yours. Next one is another three stone ring. This one is a marquise diamond with kite side stones, it's got sharp pointy corners across all three stones. Kind of like looks like a diamond, point, point on both ends. OK, maybe not a diamond, maybe like a star. Yeah. Very cool ring. This is a really big diamond ring without being too much, and I'll tell you why. So it's this 5 carat emerald cut centre stone with one and a half carat each trapezoid sized stones, and they're all step cut. So the brilliance in sparkle is much less than a radiant or a cushion. Edge to edge finger coverage. Super stunning. Very like subtle elevated luxurious ring. One's your favourite. Oh. Gemstones in a tulip basket is difficult. Putting six multicolored stones, all natural sapphires inside tulips is absolutely insane.
The ring
A 5 carat emerald cut centre stone with a 1.5 carat trapezoid on each side. All three are step cut, so the facets line up across the ring. Together they cover the finger edge to edge.
Step cut vs brilliant cut
- Step cut (emerald, Asscher, trapezoid, baguette, step cut Dutch marquise): long parallel facets, big clean flashes, a calm hall of mirrors look. Less sparkle than a radiant or cushion.
- Brilliant cut (round, oval, radiant, cushion): many small triangular facets, lots of sparkle.
Why trapezoids?
Trapezoids have the same straight lines as an emerald cut, and their angled sides lead the eye into the centre stone. Pears, kites and baguettes are other side stones that work with step cuts.
What step cuts ask of you
A step cut shows everything, so clarity matters more than in a brilliant. Colour also shows more, because there are fewer facets to scatter it. We check each stone on video before recommending it.
Other rings in the video
- A 4 carat emerald cut in a low profile flower basket, built from AI images the client sent. More in rings from AI images.
- A marquise three stone with kite side stones, pointed at both ends like a star.
- Six natural sapphires in different colours inside a tulip basket, one of the hardest builds we have done.
Want a big ring that still looks refined?
A free 30 minute video call with Clint or Karina. Bring a photo, a budget, or nothing at all.
Book a free callGet a 60 second estimateQuestions we get about this
Do step cut diamonds sparkle less?
Yes. They give broad flashes instead of busy sparkle. That is the look people choose them for.
Do emerald cuts need higher clarity?
Usually a little higher than brilliants, because the open facets show inclusions more easily.
What side stones go with an emerald cut?
Trapezoids, baguettes, pears and kites all work. Step cut sides keep the look consistent.
How much does an emerald cut three stone ring cost?
A fully custom ring from us starts at about $4,000 USD, and most of the rings we build land between $4,000 and $5,000. Our Ready To Order settings start at $1,299 CAD, plus the diamond. The centre stone moves the price most: in September 2026 a 2 carat lab grown diamond ran about $2,500 CAD and a 3 carat about $2,700 CAD. Real numbers are in our cost guide.
Is a three stone ring a good engagement ring?
Yes. Three stones cover more of the finger and are traditionally read as past, present and future.
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