Halo Engagement Ring Guide | Rare Carat

Have you ever looked at a plain solitaire diamond ring and thought “sigh, too boring”? Well, look no further than halo settings! These sparklers are packed with extra bling (dainty or prominent, the choice is yours!) and can actually end up being less expensive than that solitaire you saw. Keep reading to find out how on earth that is possible.

What are they?

Halo engagement rings have a center diamond, and are surrounded by smaller accent diamonds. This creates major sparkle and an eye-catching appearance. You can find halos for just about every shape diamond, and they all make that main diamond shine even brighter.

Think of the halo as your center diamonds back up singer. It’s just here to make your main star shine and be impressive. One of the major selling features of halos is that if you want a big rock, but your pocket book is a little strapped, the halo can trick the eye into the stone being bigger than it actually is. By doing this, you can save some change by getting a smaller center diamond, and adding the halo setting.

What color gold is best for halo settings?

This comes down to personal preference. There’s a few things you should think about before making a decision. White gold or platinum will make the diamonds and the prongs holding them seamless, since they are both white, icy colors. This will create a larger center stone appearance.

Yellow or rose gold are great options if you want the contrast to really appreciate all those little stones for what they are offering- since you’ll notice the prongs. This means you may notice the separation of the diamonds more than if you chose a light colored metal. If you use a colored gold, this also means you can see the prong and design elements a little easier as well. If you have a halo setting with a design or special prongs, bezel setting or other artistic elements, the colored gold really makes it “pop”!

What kind of wedding band matches a halo setting?

So for this, you really want to ponder on how much bling you really want. Since there will be a lot of extra sparkle already, a lot of ladies snag a plain gold band of the same color. It may have a bit of a dip (think a plunging neckline for your wedding band) so you can still see it beneath the ring and it flows better with the design.

If you want to add some more brilliance, then a nice pave band matching the same way the halo diamonds are set is perfect. Listen- sometimes less is more, but we’re talking diamonds and something you’ll wear forever here! This is your time to get exactly what you want and you don’t ever have to apologize for too much sparkle.

What are some things to consider?

For any diamond ring, regardless of the style, one thing you have to watch out for is bent prongs. These are the little arms holding that diamond in its place. If one of those get loose, you start to offset the balance and pressure, and could potentially loose your rock. Now on a halo, that has a TON of diamonds, that means a TON more prongs to keep in check. Even little things like snagging your ring on a sweater string, washcloth, or other similar occurrences, can put those little guys at risk of becoming loose and falling out.

However, with regular checks and cleanings the jeweler will check to make sure these back ups are in tip-top shape to stay put. Most jewelers (us included) offer these diamond life-saving repairs in the warranty, and as long as your ring does’t come in looking like it had a real rough night. The prongs will be covered to be fixed, and any stones that may have bit the dust can be replaced. The big kicker here is how well you take care of your ring- if you keep it in a loving home, you’re golden. Treat it like you got it out of the gum-ball machine, might have to pay for repairs.

Listen- we all do things we shouldn’t with our jewelry on, but things like makeup, soap residue, dust and dirt can build up over time. On a solitaire setting, it’s relatively easy to clean your carbon beauty, however, with a halo, you have a lot of little tiny spaces things can get into and be very hard to keep out. This can cause the diamonds to be a little less lively looking, and make you rethink your routine to make sure it stays shiny for longer. Read this quick guide on how to keep your bling lively for longer!

What if the accent stones don’t match the grade of my center diamond?

On rings that have very large side stones, that are drastically different grades than your center stone, this would be something to consider. Typically these accent stones in a halo setting are really small. Even at an SI1/G-H grades (pretty standard), you won’t notice much difference. They will still give a twinkle and do just what they are there to do- sparkle and help that center stone get all the attention! No need to worry here. Setters know at what size the accent stones need to be moving up in the grading categories based on their size.

Are there different styles?

Uh, yes! There’s a ton of halo options, which is one of the reasons they are so versatile! Check out these styles, with the links to the actual setting (could be yours one day!) below each image.

Classic halo

link to setting

This one is going to be pretty normal as to what you think of a halo setting. These can have pave side stones, or just a plain shank. You may also find ones that are more bezel style, as opposed to set individually with prongs.

Ballerina

Link to setting

One of my personal fav’s, the ballerina setting is made to look like a dancers tutu- what’s more fun than that? It also takes a different approach to the accent stone shape- usually using straight and tapered baguettes and round diamonds. A little unique, a little intriguing, and not too over the top. Lets your artsy side out a bit!

Snowflake

Link to setting

These are awesome- the round diamonds are set in a way that surrounds that center diamond to make it look like a pretty little snowflake! If you are a winter lover or just love those little frozen treasures (my hand is up!) then this is a winner for you.

Floral

Link to setting

Creating a leaf or petal design from gold or the shape of the actual accent diamonds creates a floral halo. Super pretty, interesting, and perfect for a nature-lover or someone who just appreciates the calmness of a flower.

Double halo

Link to setting

Here’s one for the bling lovers- not just one, but TWO rows of diamonds! These are great statement rings and are certain to be head-turners.

Artsy

Link to setting

With swirling in the shank, you can see the movement in this setting blend perfectly with the halo surrounding the center stone. Gorgeous and intricate.