What is a Halo Ring? All About Halo Rings

The halo ring setting offers a unique spin on engagement rings, creating a larger appearance and a more personalized, custom style. Do you want to make an impression with your engagement ring?

Are you drawn to the glitz and glamour of engagement rings worn by celebrities and royalty? Or maybe you're trying to make a big statement with a small budget? A halo engagement ring could be just the style for you.

Halo engagement rings can make small diamonds appear up to half a carat larger than they are. Furthermore, a halo ring can make high-carat diamonds look even larger. Halo rings draw the eye and emphasize the sparkle of the center diamond, giving the illusion of a larger, more costly ring. Round pavé or micro-pavé diamonds encircling the center gemstone are used to achieve this effect.

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The History of the Halo Style Ring

The halo ring made its entrance onto the jewelry scene during the Art Deco period of the 1920s. Since then, they've become almost as popular as the classic solitaire ring but with a bit more glamour.

"White on white on white" is the most classic style of halo ring. This look is generally created by pairing a white gold or platinum band with bright pavé-set stones. These stones surround a center diamond that's princess, round or cushion-cut.

For an engagement ring that's truly Art Deco inspired, consider a design with pavé diamonds set along with the band as well. To get an idea of what you like, spend some time researching modern halo styles online. Just getting a feel for what's out there will help you figure out your own personal preference.

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The Center Stone of the Halo Ring

There are many options when it comes to choosing the center stone for halo styles. You can go with a more unique look by using a colorful precious gemstone or you can go classic with a sparkling diamond. For a less expensive option, consider using a cluster or composite of smaller diamonds set closely together. This will give the appearance of a larger stone at an affordable price.

You can also vary the cut of halo engagement rings. Besides classic round styles, oval, emerald, pear, marquise and radiant-cut diamonds also work beautifully. The sharper shapes actually appear softer when surrounded by a pavé design.

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The Number of Halos

These days, it's not unusual to see halo engagement rings that have not one, not two, but even three halos surrounding the center stone. If your motto is "the bigger the better," this might be a style for you.

If a colorful engagement ring is something you've been dreaming about, look into a more vibrant gemstone pavé. Whether it's a colorless stone surrounded by sapphire or vice versa, your engagement ring is sure to stand out.

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The Shank (a.k.a. the Band) of Halo Rings

Looking for a more sleek and simple look for a halo ring style? A plain band is your best option. But, if you want layer upon layer of bling, go ahead and add a little extra glitz to your band. This look can be achieved through a full or partial pavé shank. Another option is a split shank which divides the band into two or more paths.

When deciding which style is right for you, make sure you take your band thickness into account. Remember: a partial pavé band is a safer bet should you need to resize your ring down the road.

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The Metal of Halo Rings

White gold and platinum are the two most common metals for halo bands, but the possibilities are endless. Rose gold can give rings a vintage feel and it can be used to enhance complementary gemstones such as pink morganite.

Yellow gold is a great option for diamonds that are a little more yellow in color to help put less emphasis on the center diamond's tint.

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Halo Engagement Rings

This is a piece of jewelry that you'll wear for a lifetime, and it's important to make it feel completely your own. Don't be afraid to customize your look to create a halo ring that you'll be happy to wear now and forever.

Find your perfect fit among our extensive selection of halo engagement rings at Zales. Our collection features stunning gemstone styles including colorful morganite, tanzanite, sapphire and emerald, along with traditional diamond designs. Shop the entire collection of halo engagement rings online at Zales.com or visit your local Zales store and speak with a jewelry consultant.