Tulip Basket Settings on Six Diamond Shapes
By Clint Casmiro, Co-Founder, Smiro Studio, Toronto · Updated October 4, 2026
Short answer: A tulip basket works on every diamond shape, but it changes with each one. Long shapes like marquise and oval take six petals that stretch the length of the stone. Shapes with corners worth showing, like an old mine cushion or a bowtie-free oval, can have the prongs on only two sides so the outline stays open. Rounder shapes suit four or six petals with a split shank or hidden halo. The shape decides the petal count and where the prongs go.
We have done hundreds, if not thousands, of tulip baskets. Here are six different diamond shapes, all on a tulip basket, and what we changed for each one.
Read the video transcript
We do hundreds, if not thousands of tulip baskets. Hi, we're SMIRO STUDIO and here are six unique ways to set a tulip basket. We are basically experts at this point. These are all different shapes that we're going to show you all tulip baskets. The first one we have here is our classic marquise diamond with six claw prongs, which show up as the most beautiful six tulip petals under the stone. But here we have a split shank that flows into the tulip petals with a half petal. Okay, the next ring we have is an old mine cushion, but this one is super unique. The tulip prongs are only held on the north south tips of the ring. When you flip it over, you see this beautiful six tulip basket and that little baby petal on the side. Okay. Number three, my favourite on this list here, it's a pink pear shaped diamond and underneath it, five tulip petals with a split shank. We actually have a butterfly design on the split shank. This is a round diamond with six prongs and you can see this tulip basket right when you flip it over, but this one has a split shank. Number five, another classic here. It's a cushion with four claw prongs at the top. When you flip it over, you see that tulip basket with a curved hidden halo holding everything together. And the last one, which sort of combines everything we're known for it. This is a disco ball, bowtie free oval diamond. And then at the bottom, you see these beautiful petals. All the prongs are only on the east west side. And then when you flip it towards the sides, you see six petals. And then on the north south, there's a half petal just for additional support. Okay. Which is your favourite? My favourite is the pink diamond. Beautiful tulip basket, but that side profile of the ring is so beautiful. A butterfly on the side profile. Mine is also the pink one, but just because this diamond is extremely beautiful. It is such a light baby pink. So hard to find light pink colours like this. That's six different ways to do a tulip basket.
Marquise: six petals and a split shank
Six claw prongs on top show up as six petals underneath. On a marquise the petals run the full length of the stone, which is why a marquise tulip looks so floral. This one has a split shank that flows into the petals with a half petal on the side.
Old mine cushion: prongs on the tips only
The prongs sit only on the north and south tips. That leaves the sides of the cushion open, so the old mine faceting and the soft outline show from the top. Underneath there are still six petals, plus a baby petal on the side profile.
Pink pear: five petals and a butterfly
A light pink pear shaped diamond with five tulip petals and a split shank. On the split shank we added a butterfly design. It was the team's favourite of the six, partly because a pink that soft is hard to find.
Round: six prongs and a split shank
A round with six prongs and a tulip basket underneath, and a split shank on the side. Round is the most traditional shape, so the basket is what makes it personal.
Cushion: four prongs and a curved hidden halo
A classic cushion with four claw prongs. Under the stone there is a tulip basket with a curved hidden halo holding everything together. With four petals we always add the hidden halo for support.
Bowtie-free oval: prongs on the sides only
This one combines most of what we are known for. A bowtie-free oval with every prong on the east and west sides. From the side you see six petals, and on the north and south tips there is a half petal for extra support. Leaving the tips open shows off the soft ends of the oval.
How do you choose the petal count?
Six petals give built-in support and suit longer stones. Four petals always get a hidden halo and suit squarer or rounder shapes. Odd counts, like the five petal pear, follow the outline of the stone. We decide it from the stone's measurements, not a template.
Have a shape in mind? We will show you how the basket would look.
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Book a free callGet a 60 second estimateQuestions we get about this
Does a tulip basket work with any diamond shape?
Yes. Round, oval, emerald, cushion, pear, marquise and radiant all work. The petal count and prong placement change with the shape.
Why put prongs on only two sides of the stone?
To keep part of the outline open. On an old mine cushion or a bowtie-free oval, it lets the shape and the faceting show from the top.
What is a half petal?
A smaller petal, usually on the side profile or on the tips of the stone. It adds support and a bit more flower to the side view.
How much does a tulip basket engagement 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.
What is the difference between a tulip setting and a cathedral setting?
A cathedral describes how the band rises to meet the head. A tulip describes the basket under the stone, where the prongs become petals. You can have both at once, a tulip basket on a cathedral.
Which diamond shape looks best in a tulip basket?
Long shapes like oval, moval and marquise show the most flower from the side, because the petals stretch the length of the stone. Rounds and cushions look more compact and classic.
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