Half-Moon Diamonds: What You Need to Know

Half-moon diamonds, sometimes referred to as demilune diamonds, look like round-cut or oval-cut diamonds that have been cut in half. One side of the diamond has a straight edge, while the other side has a curved edge. Half-moon diamonds are typically used as side stones, especially in three-stone engagement rings. They pair nicely with just about any diamond shape. Half-moon diamonds are usually cut with a brilliant faceting style, although they can also be step-cut.  

Half-moon diamonds aren’t used as frequently as side stones in engagement rings as other diamond shapes, so if you’re looking to create a unique ring, incorporating half-moon diamonds will make it stand out.  

Buying the Right Half-Moon Diamond 

Half-moon diamonds are typically sold in pairs. Shoppers should note that half-moon diamonds sometimes can exhibit the bow-tie effect, which is when two dark triangles that resemble a bow tie appear at the center of the diamond. The bow-tie effect isn't unique to half-moon diamonds - most elongated diamond shapes can have it. To avoid the unsightly bow-tie effect, choose stones with excellent symmetry grades, and always view HD images and videos of the diamond before purchasing it.

Celebrities with Half-Moon Diamond Engagement Rings 

Seek inspiration from these celebrity engagement rings.  

Mariah Carey

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Mariah Carey’s engagement ring from her now ex-husband Nick Cannon was nothing short of spectacular. The unique ring featured a 10-carat emerald-cut diamond center stone flanked by two half-moon diamonds. 58 fancy pink diamonds made a halo around the emerald-cut and half-moon diamonds, and tiny colorless diamonds lined the band. The ring was rumored to have cost Cannon $2.5 million.  

Avril Lavigne

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Avril Lavigne’s mesmerizing engagement ring from Nickelback frontman Chad Kroeger featured a 10-carat pear-shaped center stone with two 2-carat half-moon-shaped diamonds, making the ring a total of 14 carats. It’s estimated to have cost Kroeger at least $350,000. Unfortunately, the two parted ways in 2015. Check out her latest engagement ring from Mod Sun here. 

Nene Leakes 

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The actress and Real Housewives of Atlanta star received a breathtaking engagement ring when she re-married her ex-husband, Gregg Leakes. Yup, they got married twice! Her sparkler featured a massive cushion-cut diamond surrounded by a halo of round-cut diamonds, followed by two half-moon diamonds and a diamond-encrusted shank. The ring was reportedly 15 carats total with each carat representing every year they had been together. Sadly, Gregg passed away in 2021 after battling colon cancer.  

Queen Mathilde of Belgium   

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Royals love their blue sapphires! The Queen of Belgium’s ring – which was actually a 10th-anniversary gift – features a striking oval-shaped sapphire flanked by two half-moon diamonds, followed by what looks like baguette-cut diamonds.  

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Related: How to Buy a Sapphire Engagement Ring 

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