A halo diamond ring is a reigning queen in the bridal space. Since their inception, engagement rings have captured the affection and imagination of jewelry lovers and designers (and brides, of course!). They’re a beautiful romance symbol. Halo diamond engagement rings are a lifetime investment.
Yes, halo rings are durable. The additional decorative trim adds some protection to the accent diamonds. However, we recommend removing the engagement ring when engaging in activities like gardening or sporting. That way, you can keep the ring in good condition for longer.Key Takeaways
- The halo diamond’s primary purpose is to draw attention to the central stone.
- Halo diamonds make the center stone appear bigger. They create an optical illusion because of their extra shimmer.
- The halo setting fits all diamond cuts, and you can choose between the classic, double-halo, double-edge halo, and triple-edge halo settings.
- Halo diamond rings allow versatility and can fit with all diamond cuts.
Halo engagement rings allow you to choose between a stunning showstopper or a more reserved look with extra sparkle. Scroll down to learn more.
But first, what is a halo diamond?
What is a Halo Diamond?
Halo diamonds have a setting that features a center diamond with a round pavé or micro-pavé diamond collection. The halo diamond features a single row or several small pavé diamond rows surrounding the solitary center diamond.
A halo diamond is an excellent addition to all the differently-shaped center stones. They can create a full-carat size to the diamond’s appearance, depending on the center stone’s carat size. Thus, the halo diamond is a popular styling option that maximizes your engagement ring budget.
The halo diamond ring came from the Georgian Era in the 1700s, and its popularity ebbs and flows into the present day.
Some styles you’ll find on the halo engagement rings include:
Classic Halo Setting
The classic halo design has one row of melee diamonds surrounding the center diamond, creating a halo glow of brilliance and sparkle. A classic halo setting compliments the center stone to make a seamless transition.
Double Halo Setting
The double halo setting features two pave diamond rows, adding more surface area to the center stone that undoubtedly captivates onlookers. These halo rings are perfect for brides who may feel that the classic halo isn’t fancy enough and doesn’t have the sparkle or “wow” factor they desire. So, a second halo setting does the magic.
Double-Edge Halo Setting
The double-edge halo setting has two pave diamond rows. Two rows face the outer part of the ring, and one row faces upwards while surrounding the center stone. A double-edge halo has increased sparkle thanks to the additional row.
The Triple-Edge Halo Setting
This setting features tons of diamonds with three pave diamond rows—one facing the bottom, one facing sideways, and the final row facing the top. If you desire an unlimited dimension and sparkle to your halo ring, the triple-edge halo setting is the way to go.
All diamond cuts have unique personalities, and their distinct features can experience incredible transformation from adding a diamond halo.
What is a No Halo Engagement Ring?
There are exceptions for women who want no halo engagement rings. A no-halo engagement ring doesn’t have a halo setting. No halo engagement rings can include:
- Bezel-set center stone rings
- Three-stone rings
- Solitaire rings
What’s the Purpose of a Halo on a Ring?
Halo diamond rings have a contemporary and retro appearance with added sparkle and offer the brilliance of a high-end halo engagement ring at a pocket-friendly price.
The purpose of a halo on your halo diamond engagement ring is to draw attention to the central stone, highlighting it and making the diamond look bigger than its actual size.
Halo rings amp up a diamond’s beauty, making it stand out. Halo rings exist to complement the central stone and enhance it while adding fire and sparkle.
The Different Halo Diamond Options
Other options exist if the classic halo rings don’t tickle your fancy. After all, a personalized halo ring is in the details.
Metal Choice
On most occasions, the classic choice for a halo engagement ring is platinum or white gold. But in exploring other halo options, you’ll discover that yellow gold is also a perfect complement. Whatever you desire, your jeweler can create it from scratch.
Shank
If you don’t pave the ring’s shank, it creates a simpler and cleaner look. Also, the shank’s shape and thickness add to the overall design. For more bling on your engagement ring, it means you must pave the shank. There are different ways to have your shank:
- Paved or not
- Entwined
- Straight split shanks
Halo Numbers
In the quest for bling on your engagement ring, the classic halo has led to the birth of double and triple halos. Each pave circle makes the halo engagement ring appear bigger and bigger. Also, the triple halo makes more sense when you have a smaller center stone.
Pavé Color
You can choose outrageous or subtle contrasting pavé gemstones according to your preferences. Intriguing options for pavé include rubies and sapphires that surround a colorless diamond. Maybe you could also consider the reverse: have colorless diamonds surround a yellow diamond center stone.
Center Stone Cut
While round and princess-cut diamonds are classics, halo engagement rings can also feature a marquise cut, pear cut, emerald-cut, and oval diamonds. Radiant cuts combine the dazzling brightness of a round cut diamond (see Leo Cut Diamonds) and the elegant emerald diamond shape. They can also add extra oomph to your halo engagement ring.
Pros and Cons of Halo Diamonds
The advantages and disadvantages of halo diamonds include the following:
Pros
Cons
- Halo diamond rings are more vulnerable to chipping due to the unprotected smaller diamonds.
- You need to take your halo diamond engagement rings for maintenance services often because the prongs holding the melee stone wear out over time.
FAQs
Is a Halo Diamond a Real Diamond?
Yes, a halo diamond is a natural diamond. A halo diamond ring is a diamond engagement ring setting that features a center stone with surrounding additional gemstones. Halo settings can be single, double, or triple.
Do Halo Diamonds Fall Out?
Halo diamonds may fall out if you do not take care of them. Thus, you should take special care of your engagement ring with halo settings as the smaller surrounding diamonds fall out easily. There's a high cost of upkeep for all that glitz. It takes skill to re-tip those tiny diamonds. The ring's aesthetic value is also diminished.
Does Halo Make Diamond Look Bigger?
Yes, a halo setting makes the center stone appear more prominent than its actual size. The brilliant halo optically extends the center diamond’s size because of the extra shimmer from the halo, which adds to this effect.
Does a Hidden Halo Make a Diamond Look Bigger?
Yes, the hidden halo makes a diamond look bigger. A hidden halo is when you look at a diamond engagement ring from the top and don’t see the halo. However, when you view the engagement ring from any other angle, the hidden halo makes the center stone appear 15% more prominent.
Are Halo Rings Durable?
Yes, halo rings are durable. The additional decorative trim adds some protection to the accent diamonds. However, we recommend removing the engagement ring when engaging in activities like gardening or sporting. That way, you can keep the ring in good condition for longer.