Designs
What Is a Halo Ring?
First introduced in the 1700s, halo rings are classic, stylish jewelry pieces currently enjoying a resurgence. The halo ring has a distinctive look with a centerpiece gemstone ringed by a collection of sparkling diamonds or other equally beautiful stones. Diamonds are the most common central gemstone used for halo rings. In its most recognizable form, a halo ring has a large stone encircled by a row of smaller ones set into a metal band. Besides this traditional design and combination, halo rings are available in a variety of styles. You can find them with colored gemstones such as emerald, sapphire, and topaz, and metal settings, as well as variations in shank design. While halo engagement rings are very popular, this style is also ideal as a birthday or anniversary gift.
Halo Settings Present and Enhance Diamond Rings
Besides their eye-catching looks and the brilliance of the gemstones used, the chief reason most people go with halo rings is to have their rings' diamonds appear larger. Regardless of the size of the center stone in a halo ring, surrounding it with a collection of smaller gemstones makes it even more prominent. The transformative effect of a halo setting is the reason the ring style is so desirable and will continue to remain a mainstay for ring fashion.
In addition to single-row halo designs, there are also multi-row halo rings for those looking for even more striking selections. Multiple rows of gemstones make the centerpiece stone appear more significant.
Halo rings are more affordable without sacrificing the wow effect of these objects of desire. The halo setting can boost the perceived size of a centerpiece stone by as much as half a carat. This upgrade is especially huge for halo engagement rings with quarter-, third- and half-carat diamonds. That's why a halo ring is such an excellent value.
Vintage Halo Rings
Because halo rings have been so popular for many years, it's easy to find a vintage piece to match any taste. Estate jewelry is available in a wide range of classic shapes and designs and in many various sparkling gemstones and precious metals. Because of their age, estate halo rings are often unique, one-of-a-kind pieces that are as much an investment as they are beautiful.
Choosing Centerpiece Diamonds for Halo Diamond Rings
Cut and shape are the two most important factors to consider when comparing halo ring diamond center stones. The cut determines how a diamond reflects light and, therefore, its brilliance. Cut also determines the finish of the diamond piece in a halo ring. Round and princess cuts are the most popular options. A round-cut diamond has 57 facets, so it provides the most light return of any diamond cut for a sparkle that's dazzling.
The square princess cut helps to create the illusion of a larger stone. A cushion cut retains as much of the gemstone's weight as possible. And a marquise cut stone has a large surface area — one of the largest of any cuts — which increases the perceived size of the stone.
One variation of the halo ring style is having a cluster of small or pave diamonds at the halo center rather than a single, large diamond. This cost-saving arrangement can produce a halo ring with the same overall centerpiece carat as a single large stone. A skilled jeweler can arrange the cluster of small diamonds in a way that makes it look like a single, multifaceted stone with superior brilliance.
Pair a Halo Diamond with the Right Metal
Gold is the most common metal used for the bands of diamond halo engagement rings. With gold, there are three main choices: white, yellow, and rose gold. White gold has a similar look as a diamond and produces the most complementary combinations in halo rings. Such white-on-white combinations are classic and cohesive.
On the other hand, sharp contrast can also be desirable for a halo ring, especially if your partner prefers rose or yellow gold. These colored gold options complement warmer skin tones. Yellow gold has a shiny, dazzling finish, while rose gold's soft, pinkish finish looks lustrous and pairs well with colored gemstones.
The shank is also an essential part of a halo ring. It may be plain or pave with diamonds or other gemstones. It can also have a fully or partly paved surface. Plain and partially paved halo rings are easier to resize. For a more visually exciting halo engagement ring, consider getting one with a split shank. This has a shank split into two narrow bands that can run parallel to each other or intertwine. They can also be plain or paved with gemstones.
Halo Ring FAQs
What is a hidden halo engagement ring?
This has a diamond centerpiece raised above the loop of diamonds or gemstones that forms the halo. This ring style hides the halo in the neck of the band while emphasizing the large diamond even more. The unique arrangement retains the distinctive quality of a halo ring by making the central diamond appear more prominent.
Is diamond the only gemstone option for halo rings?
No. Other precious gemstones can serve as the central pieces of halo engagement rings. These are usually deep-colored stones made even more striking by their halo settings. Three commonly used halo ring gemstones are sapphire, emerald, and tanzanite. The halo can also feature gemstones combined with or without diamonds.
Are halo rings going out of style?
Not at all! The halo design may be a classic style, but it's timeless and still as popular as ever, especially for engagement rings. In fact, it has been the second most popular engagement ring style since the 1920s. Today you can find halo rings in a wide variety of shapes and sizes, with numerous different precious and semi-precious gemstones as the centerpiece and the halo itself.