Two Tone Engagement Rings: White Head, Yellow Band
By Clint Casmiro, Co-Founder, Smiro Studio · Updated October 22, 2026
Short answer: A two tone engagement ring usually puts the head that holds the diamond in white gold or platinum and the band in yellow gold. White prongs blend into a white diamond, so the stone looks whiter, while the band keeps the warm yellow look. Our three client builds: a 3.07 carat radiant with diamond set tiger claw prongs, a 4 carat crushed ice oval on a platinum head, and a 1.25 carat oval with white gold tulip petals.
Two tone suits someone who loves yellow gold but wants the diamond to look as white as possible. Here are three real ones.
Ring 1: a radiant with diamond set tiger claws
Kevin and Apira's ring: 3.07 carat radiant.
- Centre stone
- 3.07 carat radiant cut diamond, 1.50 ratio
- Setting
- White gold head, four tiger claw prongs set with diamonds, hidden halo
- Band
- 14K yellow gold euroshank
- Details
- Diamond accents on one side of the bridge, an inside engraving
Even the prongs carry diamonds here, so the white head becomes part of the sparkle. See Kevin and Apira's ring.
Ring 2: a 4 carat crushed ice oval on a platinum head
Vikram and Melissa's ring: platinum head, 18K yellow gold band.
- Centre stone
- 4 carat crushed ice oval diamond
- Setting
- Platinum head, four claw prongs, hidden halo, cathedral
- Band
- 18K yellow gold, 2.6 mm low dome, euroshank
Platinum for the head and 18K for the band. A crushed ice oval has a sparkly, broken up look, and the white prongs keep it looking white. Crushed ice is explained in cushion diamonds 101. See Vikram and Melissa's ring.
Ring 3: a 1.25 carat oval with white tulip petals
Ace's ring: white gold petals, yellow gold cathedral.
- Centre stone
- 1.25 carat oval diamond
- Setting
- Six tulip petals and six claw prongs in 14K white gold
- Band
- 14K yellow gold cathedral, 2 mm half round
Two tone is not only for big stones. On a 1.25 carat oval the white petals are a bright accent against the yellow cathedral. See Ace's ring.
Two tone or rhodium tipped prongs?
If you want white prongs but still want the ring to read fully yellow gold, there is a lighter option: coating only the prong tips. We compare them in rhodium tipped prongs. And if you are still choosing metals, see 14K vs 18K vs platinum.
How to get a two tone ring
Tell us your band metal and which part you want white: the whole head, the petals, or only the prongs. It works on any shape.
Not sure which white metal to pair with your band? We go through it on the free video call, and every ring ships free by insured FedEx across Canada and the US.
Want a two tone ring?
A free 20 minute video call with our team. Bring a photo, a budget, or nothing at all.
Book a free callGet a free estimateQuestions we get about this
What is a two tone engagement ring?
A ring in two metals, usually a white gold or platinum head that holds the diamond on a yellow gold band.
Why put a white head on a yellow gold ring?
White prongs blend into a white diamond, so the stone looks whiter, while the band keeps the yellow gold look.
Can the head be platinum with a gold band?
Yes. The 4 carat oval on this page has a platinum head on an 18K yellow gold band.
Does two tone work on a smaller diamond?
Yes. The 1.25 carat oval on this page has white gold tulip petals on a yellow gold cathedral.
Is there a subtler option than two tone?
Yes. Rhodium tipping coats only the prong tips in white, so the ring still reads as yellow gold.
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