Before Brat took over the world, before the summer that seemingly everyone was having, and before Charli XCX became the undisputed soundtrack to 2024 - she got engaged. And somehow, in all the chaos of one of the biggest years any pop artist has had in recent memory, that gorgeous ring is still on her finger and still very much worth talking about.
Charli XCX and George Daniel of The 1975 announced their engagement in late 2023, and while the music world was already paying close attention to everything Charli does, the ring quietly became a talking point of its own. Because it is, genuinely, beautiful.
Here at Ethica Diamonds in Newquay we have a lot of feelings about it. Let's get into it.
How Did They Get Together?
Charli XCX and George Daniel's relationship grew out of a shared world both artists at the sharp end of their respective careers, both uncompromisingly themselves. They first connected properly through a collaboration on The 1975's album Notes on a Conditional Form, and what started as a creative partnership clearly became something a lot more significant.
They kept things fairly private for a while, which given the level of scrutiny both of them are under is entirely understandable. But by the time the engagement was announced, fans who'd been following both artists had been quietly rooting for them for years.
The Engagement
Charli shared the news on Instagram in November 2023 with a series of photos that were, characteristically, cool and unfiltered rather than the usual polished couple shot. George proposed, she said yes, and the internet had a very good day.
What followed in 2024 was, of course, the Brat era — one of the most talked about album campaigns in years, a cultural reset, and a summer that cemented Charli XCX as one of the most important artists of her generation. The ring came along for all of it.
The Ring
Here is where we, professionally and enthusiastically, have opinions.
Charli's ring features a round brilliant cut diamond centre stone, which we estimate to be around 1 carat, set on what appears to be a white gold or platinum band. It is clean, classic, and quietly confident - which is actually quite an interesting contrast to the maximalist aesthetic of her Brat era, and somehow makes it even more striking for it.
The round brilliant cut is the most popular diamond shape in the world for good reason. It has more facets than any other cut, which means it throws out more light and sparkle than anything else. It is essentially the diamond cut that diamonds were designed to be cut into. Understated it may look, but put it in the light and it performs.
Round brilliant cuts account for more than half of all engagement ring sales in the UK. There is a reason they have never gone out of fashion - they simply work.
No specific details about the setting have been shared publicly, but from what we can see it is elegant and minimal, which lets the stone take full focus. Exactly right, in our view.
What Would a Ring Like Charli's Cost?
A mined round diamond of approximately 1 carat with excellent grading would typically sit somewhere between £4,000 and £8,000 for the stone alone, before the setting.
A lab grown round diamond of the same size and quality would come in at a fraction of that, typically between £800 and £1,500 for the stone, with the same optical and physical properties. The same fire, the same brilliance, the same hardness. Just grown responsibly rather than extracted from the ground.
For a finished ring in a similar style to Charli's, you'd be looking at roughly £2,000 to £4,500 with a lab grown diamond. That is a genuinely significant saving for something that looks and performs identically.
Why Choose a Lab Grown Diamond?
Since Charli XCX is not exactly known for doing things in the conventional, unquestioned way, we think she'd probably appreciate the argument for lab grown diamonds. Here's why more and more people are choosing them:
- No mining means no habitat destruction, no displaced communities, and no contribution to the kind of supply chains that have historically caused real harm.
- Lab grown diamonds are chemically and physically identical to mined diamonds. Not similar. Identical. The same carbon crystal structure, the same hardness, the same sparkle.
- They are independently certified by the GIA and IGI, so you know exactly what you're getting.
- The cost saving is substantial, which means you can either spend less overall or invest in a better quality or larger stone for the same budget.
- At Ethica Diamonds, our stones are grown using renewable energy or verified carbon offsetting. So the ethical credentials are genuine, not just marketing.
Get the Look: Our Round Solitaire Rings
If Charli's ring has caught your eye and you want something in a similar spirit - classic, brilliant, and quietly stunning - here are four of our designs that we think nail it:
A beautifully proportioned round brilliant solitaire with a clean, elegant band. This is the ring for someone who wants the diamond to do all the talking.
Slightly more detailed in the setting but still very much in the classic solitaire family. The Estella has a delicacy to it that photographs beautifully.
A contemporary take on the round solitaire with a slightly more architectural feel. For someone who wants classic but with a bit more personality.
Our most pared back round solitaire. If Charli's ring is the reference point, the Kerry is probably the closest match in the collection.
All four rings are available with a lab grown diamond and can be set in white gold, yellow gold, rose gold, or platinum.
A Note on the Round Brilliant Cut
We talk a lot about oval cuts because they have been dominating the market for the past couple of years, but the round brilliant is not going anywhere. It remains the bestselling diamond shape globally and has been for decades.
There is something to be said for a cut that has been refined over more than a century to maximise light return. Every facet placement in a round brilliant is calculated to bounce light back through the top of the stone in the most spectacular way possible. It is engineering as much as it is art.
If you are drawn to something timeless rather than of the moment, the round brilliant cut is about as safe a choice as exists in fine jewellery. Charli XCX choosing one is, in its own way, a very knowing move from someone who clearly understands that the most enduring things are often the simplest.
Come and See Us in Newquay
Whether you're inspired by Charli's ring or you have something entirely different in mind, we'd love to help you find it. We're based in Newquay, Cornwall, and we work with customers across the whole of the UK - both in person at our studio and virtually.
Every lab grown diamond we sell is independently certified, every piece of metal is recycled, and every stone is traceable. Because we think the story behind your ring should be one you're proud of.
Even if it isn't quite as brat as Charli's year was.
Shop our round diamond engagement rings →
Browse the Marabelle, Estella, Delfi, Kerry, and our full collection of round solitaire engagement rings at ethicadiamonds.com, or book a free consultation with our team.
