Oval Tulip Basket Engagement Rings: 5 Ways to Build One
By Clint Casmiro, Co-Founder, Smiro Studio, Toronto · Updated September 28, 2026
Short answer: An oval tulip basket comes down to two choices. First, 4 petals or 6. A 4 petal basket always gets a hidden halo underneath, because the halo is what holds it together. A 6 petal basket has that support built in and is our most popular setting. Second, how the band meets the basket: a straight cathedral, or a split shank that flows up into the petals. Everything else, like a coloured hidden halo or a half petal on the side, is personal detail.
If you want an oval diamond with a tulip basket, this is the one to read. We have built over a thousand tulip baskets, and these are five ways we do it on an oval, from the most classic to the most personal.
Read the video transcript
If you want an oval diamond with a tulip basket, this right here is the video for you. I'm going to show you five different ways you can do it. The first one right here is the most classic four claw prongs, four tulip petals underneath and a hidden halo holding everything together. This one has a diamond bridge. The second one, a little bit more personalization, still four claw prongs on the top. When you flip it over, four tulip petals, hidden halo, but this one we added a split shank that flows directly into the tulip petals instead of a straight cathedral. Number three, now we're getting into the six claw prong setup, six massive tulips underneath the oval holding everything together. Number four, maybe my favourite, six claw prong setup, with six tulip petals with a ruby hidden halo, not visible at all from the top view, but adds that very subtle pop of colour. And number five again, six claw prongs on the top, six beautiful tulip petals underneath with a split shank that shows you a baby half petal right in the middle.
1. Four claw prongs, four petals and a hidden halo
The most classic version. Four claw prongs on top, four tulip petals underneath, and a hidden halo holding everything together. This one also has a diamond bridge, a row of small diamonds on the part of the ring that sits under the stone.
From the top it reads as a clean oval solitaire. The flower only shows when you turn your hand.
2. The same four petals, with a split shank
Still four claw prongs and a hidden halo, but instead of a straight cathedral the band splits and flows directly into the tulip petals. A cathedral stops where it meets the head. A split shank keeps going, so the side view reads as one continuous line.
3. Six claw prongs and six petals
Now the six prong setup. Six tulip petals sit under the oval and hold the whole stone. With six petals the support is built in, so there is no hidden halo needed. This is our most popular setting.
4. Six petals with a ruby hidden halo
Our favourite on this list. Six claw prongs, six petals, and a hidden halo set with rubies instead of diamonds. You cannot see it from the top at all. From the side it is a small flash of red that only you and the people close to you will notice.
Any hard gemstone works here. Sapphires in pink, yellow or blue are the other common choice.
5. Six petals, a split shank and a half petal
Six claw prongs, six petals, and a split shank that opens up on the side to show a baby half petal right in the middle. It is the most floral of the five and still clean from above.
Which one should I pick?
- Want the lowest fuss and a classic side view: 6 petals with a cathedral.
- Want sparkle from the side: 4 petals with a hidden halo.
- Want the band to flow into the flower: add a split shank to either.
- Want colour nobody sees from the top: a gemstone hidden halo.
The shape of your oval matters too. A long, slim oval can take six petals comfortably. A rounder oval sometimes looks better with four. We look at the stone's measurements before we recommend either.
Want an oval tulip basket built around your stone?
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Book a free callGet a 60 second estimateQuestions we get about this
What is the difference between a 4 petal and 6 petal tulip basket?
A 4 petal tulip always gets a hidden halo underneath, because the halo gives it support. A 6 petal tulip has the support built in, so no hidden halo is needed. The 6 petal is our most popular setting.
Can I add colour to an oval tulip basket?
Yes. The easiest way is a hidden halo in rubies or sapphires, which is invisible from the top. You can also set small gemstones into the petals themselves.
Does a split shank make the ring weaker?
No. The split shank connects the band to the basket in two places instead of one, and it flows into the petals instead of ending abruptly.
Will a wedding band sit flush with a tulip basket?
It can. We set the basket high enough, or indent the bridge, so a straight band stacks without a gap. Tell us early and we design for it.
How much does an oval tulip basket 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. Hand engraving, a hidden halo, a split shank and gemstones in the petals each add bench time. Real numbers are in our cost guide.
Do tulip settings snag on clothes?
Much less than you might think. The petals sit under the stone and curve inward, and the claw prongs are smoothed at the tips. A basket with split shank sits closer to the finger than a tall cathedral.
Is a tulip setting durable?
Yes. The petals are part of the setting's structure, not decoration. Six petals support the stone on their own; four petals are paired with a hidden halo for strength.
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