If your partner lights up your life, you’ll want an engagement ring that sparkles as much as they do. We have just the answer! Halo engagement rings offer the perfect balance of glitz and glamour, and we’re here to help you learn more about them.
What is a Halo Engagement Ring?
The halo setting is a popular style that usually features a larger center stone surrounded by a ring of smaller diamonds. While the smaller gems often mirror the center stone, they can have different shapes! This design complements many diamond shapes — including round, oval, pear, and princess cuts — but round cut diamonds are commonly chosen for their perfect symmetry.
History of Halo Engagement Rings
Halo engagement rings first emerged in Europe during the early 18th century. At the time, smaller round cut diamonds and pearls served as the accent stones. As halo rings morphed throughout the century, they incorporated colored center gemstones and grew in popularity.
But the classic halo style that we know today stems from the Art Deco era, which spanned the 1920s and 1930s. Features of Art Deco rings often include geometric, angular shapes and bold lines. Therefore, the circle of diamonds in a halo setting was suitable for the timeframe.
Over the next several decades, interest in the halo engagement ring increased and waned. In fact, few of these rings could be found during the 1970s, 1980s and 1990s. Now, halo settings are once again a popular choice along with classic solitaire rings. They reportedly still incorporate designs from the Art Deco era with a modern twist.
Types of Halo Engagement Rings
As you may have already guessed, halo settings come in a few different forms.
Single Halo: The classic and most common type of halo, which features a single loop of diamonds or gemstones surrounding the center stone.
Double Halo: If a single loop of gemstones makes the center stone pop, why not have TWO loops surrounding the center stone?
Hidden Halo: An innovative twist on the classic halo, this style offers a circle of stones beneath the center stone. You might not be able to see the “hidden” circle from above, but you can catch it from different angles. Depending on the ring design, hidden halos can increase the appearance of the center stone size by up to 15%.
*Pro Tip: If you opt for a hidden halo ring, choose a completely colorless center diamond for optimum sparkle. Even if your stone has a hint of color, the hidden halo and basket can distract the viewer’s eye and make the center stone appear whiter.
Hazel Halo Ring Jayde Double Halo Ring Simba Hidden Halo Ring
Benefits of Halo Engagement Rings
These rings make your center diamond look larger by attracting the viewer’s eye. In most engagement rings, four or six prongs hold a single center stone in place. With halo settings, the added ring of stones hides the prongs and serves as an extra layer of security to protect the center stone.
Halo rings are versatile and easy to customize, from the type of center stone to the metal ring band. They can also stretch your budget by boosting the ring’s total carat weight vs. the center stone’s weight, where the price really jumps.
*Pro Tip: If the center stone and surrounding halo are different colors, the halo will draw more attention to the center stone.
Considerations When Purchasing a Halo Engagement Ring
We recommend matching the ring’s accent stones within one or two shades of the center stone. According to the Gemological Institute of America’s color grading scale, a J-colored center stone looks colored if surrounded by smaller, F-colored stones. This contrast therefore draws attention to the center stone. All of Gage Diamonds’ halo engagement rings are designed with this in mind.
Make sure the circle of smaller diamonds perfectly fits the center stone. A big or small gap will alter the symmetry of your halo engagement ring. At Gage Diamonds, we guarantee a great fit before you make your purchase.
Have a question? We can help!
Gage Diamonds is Chicago's premier jewelry showroom and online retailer of engagement rings, wedding bands, and fine jewelry. We offer a selection of dazzling handpicked diamonds and a variety of halo engagement rings, including single halos, double halos and hidden halos.
We’re committed to helping you find the ring of your dreams. For inspiration, browse our website or set up an appointment with a member of our trusted staff at our in-person showroom.
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