Looking for an expert guide on halo settings for engagement rings?
Perfect, you're in the right place!
In this LearningJewelry.com guide, you'll learn the sparkly truth about the halo setting and the answers to these burning questions:
- What is the "halo setting"?
- Should you chose a halo setting for your engagement ring?
- How does the halo setting compare to other settings?
- Where's the best place to buy an engagement ring with a halo setting?
- And much more!
Halo settings are one of the most popular and trendy engagement rings settings in the last few years. As such, if you take a look at any of the most popular online diamond retailers, you can expect to find plenty of them to choose from.
Even though they may be popular, there are a multitude of different styles for halo diamond rings.
They present a layer of protection around diamond shapes that might be vulnerable without one, such as a princess cut or trilliant cut.
Many people love the sparkle a halo brings to an engagement ring, but some feel the identity of their center stone is lost in all the bling. Halos may not be right for all brides to be, but many brides have followed suit. Is the halo right for you? Let's find out.
Let's get into it!
What Is a Halo Engagement Ring Setting?
A halo setting in an engagement ring features a center stone surrounded by a ring or "halo" of diamonds. Most halos are either round, square or cushion. Square and cushion halos are just slightly different being as the cushion halo setting has more rounded corners than the square.
The traditional halo setting you'll see in the market was brought about in the Art Deco period in the 1970s, making it a true vintage inspired ring setting.
Other recorded ideas of the halo date back to as far as the early 1700s. Halo styles were perfect for the Art Deco era because of their circular appearance going well with the geometric theme they had going back then.
Halo settings can be beneficial for those with center stones of a smaller carat weight because the halo can make your center diamond appear bigger. But on the other hand, some people dislike halo rings because they say it detracts from the center stone's beauty.
The truth is, center stones with a large carat weight require high diamond grades which in turn, become high prices. Not everyone has a wallet that's expendable, and halo settings are both aesthetically pleasing and great settings for anyone.
Should You Choose a Halo Setting for Your Engagement Ring?
Overall, I can say halo settings are a good setting to choose for your engagement ring, but like all ring settings, it has its drawbacks.
For instance, if you lead an active lifestyle, a halo setting probably isn't the best option for you. While your center stone is protected by the halo, there is nothing protecting the halo itself.
And, the smaller the diamond are, the smaller the prongs will also be. Small prongs don't leave much wiggle room for loose diamonds. They'll just be missing if they get knocked too hard.
Thankfully, most halo settings are set lower, which increases protection and durability. You don't realize how often you knock your hands around throughout the day, even at non-manual labor jobs. High set diamond rings are more likely to be scratched and bumped than one that low set.
A lot of halo settings are used with pave style bands. Pave rings have a number of small stones that resemble a "paved road". The metal is not seen with the diamonds set so closely together.
These stones are also more likely to fall out because they're often even tinier than the halo diamonds. But, the halo setting with pavé diamonds are the most popular style, so it's very possible to have a halo ring with little to no issues.
Halo Setting vs Other Popular Settings
Halo settings are very popular, but how do they measure up against other popular settings? Let's find out.
Halo Setting vs Solitaire
When comparing halo settings to other popular ring settings, solitaire diamond engagement rings come up. Aside from aesthetic preference, let's see how these match up to each other. Here's what we have:
Pros
- Halo settings are often low
- Halo settings allow you to purchase a small center stone but still keep the look of a large stone for less cost
- Solitaire settings are ideal for high diamond grades
- You can mix and match wedding band styles with solitaires
Cons
- Halo settings have small diamonds more likely to fall out
- May detract from a high quality center stone
- Solitaires are mainly high set and knocked around
- Solitaires make your diamond look smaller but cost more (depending on the TDW of a halo setting
Halo Setting vs Bezel Setting
Bezel settings are another common setting, though you're more likely to see it in bands or gemstone jewelry rather than an engagement ring. But each still has their own benefits and drawbacks. Let's compare
Pros
- Halo settings look bigger
- Halo settings don't have as much metal
- Bezel settings have superior center stone protection
- Bezel settings do not snag or catch
Cons
- Halo settings offer protection around the center, but not the actual diamond halo
- Halo settings have small stones that may fall out
- Bezel settings can be more expensive because of the careful metalwork
- Bezel settings also look smaller as they are encased in metal
Halo Setting vs Tension Setting
Tension settings are also referred to as bypass rings in some circles, but they give off the illusion as if your diamond center is floating.
Pros
- Halo setting make it easy to find a matching wedding ring
- Halo settings can be made with virtually any diamond shape
- Tension settings allow the best light return
- They are unique and eye catching
Cons
- Halo settings are very common
- Your center stone is not the star of the show in a halo setting
- Tension settings can be hard to find a wedding band to match if it's not a set
- Tension settings are usually found in limited diamond shapes
Where to Buy Halo Diamond Engagement Rings
Halo engagement rings are pretty easy to find anywhere that sells high quality fine jewelry. But if you go to a major brick and mortar jewelry retailer, you're going to pay so much more for a lower quality diamond.
But if you are adamant about buying locally in your area, you should look at a private jeweler, not one associated with any corporate fine jewelry store. For the rest of you, here are some fantastic online jewelers that are 100% legitimate and recommended for better quality and price.
James Allen
James Allen is an excellent place to buy your halo engagement ring. They offer many ring styles such as milgrain vintage, halo rings with side stones, and of course the ever-popular halo rings with pave diamonds. Their halo rings come in various gold colors as well as platinum.
Beyond the actual halo rings themselves, James Allen is the best recommended for your ring because of their lifetime warranty. The company covers your halo ring and all of its routine maintenance to include rhodium plating for white gold and retipping prongs.
For all other repairs, such as a bent halo shank, or a missing stone, they will send it out for an estimate. You may also have the choice of bringing your James Allen merchandise to select Jared stores or send it directly to James Allen.
Check out this gorgeous 14K rose gold double halo engagement ring with an emerald cut diamond center and split shank.
Blue Nile
Blue Nile is probably one of the most popular online diamond markets to look at for a halo engagement ring. They also offer plenty of different styles of halo designs such as flower settings, colored gemstone halo rings, and even engagement rings with a halo and a plain metal band.
Blue Nile gives you a lifetime warranty, though it only covers manufacturing defects. With Blue Nile, shipping is free, returns are free, and great financing options.
They have their own Blue Nile Credit Card for those thinking about financing your halo engagement ring purchase. It offers no interest if you pay off in either 6, 12, or 18 months if you are approved.
Check out this marquise halo engagement ring from Blue Nile compared to a pave marquise engagement ring. Marquise cut diamonds are a fancy shape that looks a lot smaller than other diamond shapes due to the elongated shape of it. But when set in a halo, it looks much bigger, while maintaining the 1 carat center.
