Halo Engagement Rings

Halo rings are amongst the most versatile of engagement styles: They appeal to people looking to amplify a large, nearly flawless center stone, as well as budget-conscious customers who want to make the most of every element of their ring. The beauty of halo engagement rings lies in their versatility: the technique of surrounding a center stone with diamonds can be applied for a multitude of reasons, almost always resulting in an otherworldly level of sparkle.

Originally introduced in the 1920s as part of the art deco style, halo engagement rings have managed to cross over eras and styles to become the second-most popular engagement ring style today, right behind the solitaire engagement ring. Halo engagement rings are a joy to design, opening up the wearer to a multitude of options when it comes to the color of the gemstones that surround the center stone, as well as other shapes on the band of the ring that could serve to complement the ring of light in the center.

Recommended Halo ring settings

Halo engagement rings are as versatile as they are brilliant. Consider a double, or even triple halo, creating a concentric frame around the center stone. Try out contrasting metals for the halo by using rose gold for the band and white or yellow gold for the halo setting. It’s difficult to go wrong when applying your personal preferences to a halo engagement ring, and Vinca can make the design decisions that will ensure the end result fits with your style and remains a timeless representation of love and radiance.

It’s true that when most people think of a halo engagement ring, they imagine a round stone surrounded by a ring of smaller diamonds. But don’t stop there: In the same way a variety of metals can be used on a halo engagement ring, a selection of different colored gemstones also work. At Vinca, we have designed halo engagement rings with fancy colored diamonds, sapphires of all hues, as well as morganite and moissanite as center stones.

In approaching the design of the halo engagement ring, we like to think of the stones that surround the center as a beautiful accent for what they surround, no matter how big the center stone is. This accessible, flexible design is the perfect starting point for a first-time custom discussion. No promises, though – after you design a halo engagement ring with Vinca, experience tells us that it won’t be your last custom piece!

What makes the Halo engagement ring special

As one of the most versatile styles, halo engagement rings have been consistently loved since they were introduced to the general public in 1920. This kind of a ring can create the effect of a large center stone without adding too much to a ring’s total cost. The practice of enclosing a center stone with diamonds and other gems creates a sparkle that seems ethereal, which makes the halo engagement rings stand out on the hands of their wearers.

Halo rings were initially presented in the Georgian Era, sometime between 1714 -1830. But the halo engagement ring’s popularity didn’t take off until it was presented as a part of the geometric shape styles with intricate detailing in the 1920s. But over the years the halo engagement ring has changed. It has managed to straddle all the eras, becoming the second most popular ring style today. The halo pairs well with just about any stone from small diamonds, colored gemstones, colored diamonds, precious and semi-precious stones and more.

The halo engagement design process is a delight, opening the wearer to a host of options when it comes to the color of jewels that edge the center stone, as well as other outlines on the band of the ring that help to enhance the ring of fluorescence and fire in the center. Such rings are also called cluster engagement rings when several stones are set close together to create a glittering effect. It’s the perfect choice for you if you love the art deco look or the simplicity of the round halo engagement rings without opting for a complicated design.

Halo engagement rings are as traditional as solitaire rings, but with a chic twist. Jewelers also use different forms like milgrain and filigree in their designs, drawing from Victorian-era inspiration. Setting types can range from contemporary to vintage and are almost guaranteed to stand the test of time from a style perspective.

Pros

More value for money: A halo engagement ring enhances and adds to the allure of the center stone, making it look larger. If the phrase ‘more bling for your buck’ rings true for you, this may be a style you want to consider.

Complex designs: With a halo ring you can go as simple as a single halo around the solitaire diamond. Or, try mixing different setting styles or adding a contrast to the larger diamond with lots of intricate details or filigree patterns. The halo engagement ring works well with any style or diamond cut you prefer.

Suits all types of hands: The halo around the center stone typically covers a majority of the top of the band, making it extremely versatile for a diversity of hand types.

Exclusive wedding band styles: Because the border of the halo engagement ring surrounds the center stone, it has a slightly wider profile, and therefore does not work with all wedding band styles. A custom wedding band is often the way to go, and this is an area where we at Vinca have extensive experience. Wedding bands can echo the pave setting of the halo, or simply be a plain band with smaller intricate patterns. A round halo engagement ring is popular and considered to be extremely romantic. The side facets offer the chance to add in breathtaking design details that will truly make the ring your own.

Cons

Needs more attention: A halo engagement ring is made to last, but it requires extra care to protect it from everyday wear. The more diamonds you have on your it from everyday wear. The more diamonds you have on your halo, the higher the chance for chipping or to losing one of the tiny diamonds set in your ring. Creating a ring with an experienced jeweler like Vinca will decrease the chance of this happening. Quality craftsmanship, including perfectly set stones, can significantly decrease the chance of loss or chipping.

Maintaining fluorescence: With a halo engagement ring, the smaller stones are added to make it appear large. However, making sure that this setting doesn’t decrease the stone’s natural sparkle is very difficult. The secret lies in arranging them in a way that allows lights to pass through at the perfect angle. The perfect circle of fire may not happen if there is even one misaligned diamond.

Adds pressure on the artists: The designer arranging a halo engagement ring is under pressure to match the colors of each gemstone to create the chosen design. At Vinca, we are up for this challenge, because we recognize that the appearance of the halo ring can be diminished if even one stone is out of place.

Not fit for all wedding ring designs: The halo engagement ring is not wedding band agnostic. It needs a perfect fit. We at Vinca can help you find the wedding band that complements the beauty of your engagement ring, whether it’s by nestling a custom band on either side of the center ring or finding a matching stone color that brings out the brilliance of your engagement ring choice. When it comes to wedding bands that pair with halo engagement rings, in almost all cases, you will need to get the wedding ring shaped round the arch of the halo.