Halo engagement rings have been a long-standing favourite in the wedding industry, thanks to their glamorous look and ability to make a centre stone look bigger . While the modern halo as we know it has been around since the 1920s (making it a classic setting), a halo does complement some cuts better than others. To find out more about the glitz and glamour of the halo setting, keep reading.
What does a halo ring mean?
A halo is a style of setting where a centre stone is surrounded by a row, or rows, of identical smaller stones – thus creating a halo . The design is a simple addition to a solitaire engagement ring setting but can help enhance the beauty of your chosen centre stone.
While the halo draws attention to the centre stone, it also has the ability to make the stone look bigger. While a halo uses more gemstones or diamonds than a setting without, you can achieve a bigger look without spending the cost of a centre stone of that size (a great option if you’re working with a modest budget).
What stone cut do halo settings look best with?
While the halo setting complements numerous diamond cuts, the halo can amplify the beauty of more simple cuts with longer or curved edges. This allows both the stone and the halo of diamonds to have their moment to sparkle . Round cut engagement rings are a popular choice for halo settings, as the symmetry is perfect for a simple and classic sparkly look. Going for a brilliant cut will also amplify the fire and brilliance of your ring, and with the added row of diamonds, you won’t find a combination that will sparkle more.
Another popular choice is a cushion cut engagement ring with a halo setting. A cushion cut is a square with rounded edges, creating a softer look than emerald or princess cut rings . A cushion cut makes for a beautifully feminine look, and a halo can help in creating a big look. For an even more glamorous look you can also opt for two rows of stones for the halo.
In line with the softer look – an oval cut engagement ring looks beautiful with a halo surrounding it. The longer edges of the oval cut lend itself to having a halo as it accentuates the curves and swoops of the oval shape. The oval cut is a popular celebrity engagement ring choice and plays into the popularised old money trend too. That said, if your budget doesn’t stretch to a high carat weight, adding a halo can get the look you want at a price that suits.
What is a hidden halo setting
A hidden halo is exactly what it sounds like. While a halo of gemstones is a beautiful addition to any engagement ring, it may be that you feel it takes away from the beauty of your centre stone if you prefer more simple jewellery. In this case, the hidden halo setting may be perfect for you.
Rather than surrounding the centre stone, the halo in this setting sits beneath the centre stone, and is visible from the side. While your ring will be simple and sleek from the top, the sparkle will still continue from the side, and is a wonderful way to customise your ring according to your preferences – a great choice for those with a minimal style.
Like other engagement ring settings, the subtle details of a halo can make a vast difference to how your ring looks. If you’d like to discuss other ring setting options or how you can customise your dream ring – get in touch here .
Choose an Engagement Ring Setting