A Guide to Halo Engagement Rings

A halo engagement ring is the perfect choice for those who want a showstopping ring that will never go out of style. These rings are eye-catching, versatile and come in a variety of styles to suit all tastes.

Our guide explains what halo rings are, their interesting history and our favourite halo engagement ring styles.

What are Halo Engagement Rings?

A halo engagement ring features a circle of diamonds surrounding the central stone. The central stone can be a diamond or a coloured gemstone such as a ruby, sapphire or emerald. The surrounding diamonds complement bold colours and add an extra layer of detail to the setting. When paired with a diamond centre stone, the halo makes the stone appear larger and more dramatic, adding extra sparkle that is especially noticeable when worn.

When did Halo Engagement Rings become popular? 

Halo rings have been around for a long time, originating in the Georgian era, although pearls were arguably more popular than diamonds at that time. The style evolved during the Victorian era, when flower-inspired designs were fashionable, featuring a bold gemstone at the centre surrounded by diamond petals.

The halo design as we know it today emerged in the 1920s and 1930s, characterised by the clean lines and symmetrical patterns of the Art Deco movement. From the 1940s, the style fell out of favour until a modern revival in the late 1990s. Halo rings have since become a modern classic, and their popularity shows no signs of slowing down.

What shapes work well for a Halo Engagement Ring?

The versatility of a halo setting means it suits a wide variety of diamond shapes. Our favourite shapes that work well with halo rings include:

Oval halo engagement rings

The oval's elongated shape works beautifully with a halo. The surrounding diamonds accentuate the stone's curved silhouette, making the centre stone appear dramatically larger and the ring more elongated overall.

Cushion cut halo engagement rings

A cushion cut's soft, rounded corners blend seamlessly with a curved halo. The cushion cut has a distinctive sparkle that is amplified by the halo's additional light return, giving the ring an extra glamorous look.

Round-cut halo engagement rings

The round cut is the most popular choice for halo rings. Its perfectly symmetrical shape allows the surrounding stones to sit evenly all the way around, creating a flawless, uniform sparkle.

Princess-cut halo engagement rings

The princess cut offers a sharp contrast to curved shapes such as the oval or round cut. The halo follows the stone's angular edges, giving the ring a bold, modern look.

Pear halo engagement rings

The pear's distinctive teardrop shape makes for one of the most dramatic halo rings. The halo traces the pear silhouette, elongating the finger and adding extra brilliance around the tapered point of the stone.

Emerald-cut halo engagement rings

The emerald cut's long rectangular shape and mirror-like stepped facets already bring architectural elegance to a ring. A halo adds a frame of brilliant sparkle, giving you the best of both worlds.

Best Settings for a Halo Engagement Ring

Choosing the right setting is important, as it can affect the overall appearance, size and style of your engagement ring. 

The most common settings for a halo engagement ring are:

• Pave setting - The most popular halo setting. Small diamonds sit half-set into the halo, held by tiny claws that allow maximum light to pass through, creating a continuous sparkle around the centre stone. This setting complements coloured gemstones beautifully and is a popular choice for diamond centre stones, as it helps create the illusion of a larger stone.

• Hidden Halo setting - A contemporary setting that has grown hugely popular in recent years. Rather than being visible from above, the halo sits beneath the centre stone within the gallery, with the diamonds facing outwards to the sides. This style works particularly well with round, oval, pear, radiant and marquise cut diamonds and gemstones.

• Channel setting - A classic style that keeps all stones neatly aligned. The diamonds are tension set or grain set between the metal edges of the halo, holding them close together in a neat, uniform line. This setting is popular with round, princess and baguette cut diamonds and offers good protection to vulnerable edges from daily wear and tear.

• Bezel/Rubover setting - A bezel setting features a metal rim that fully encases the centre stone, offering maximum protection from potential damage. This is particularly beneficial for unusual shapes such as pear or heart cuts, which are prone to chipping. The bezel setting is popular in yellow gold with a coloured gemstone centre and adds a touch of elegance in a minimalist, modern style.

Why choose a Halo Engagement Ring?

A halo engagement ring is an excellent choice for those who want a modern classic with plenty of sparkle. It is also well-suited to those working within a tighter budget, as the surrounding diamonds create the illusion of a larger centre stone without the cost.

The halo setting is hardwearing and offers added protection to the centre stone from daily knocks, making it a practical choice for those with an active lifestyle or those who prefer a more delicate cut, such as a pear or marquise.

How to Care for a Halo Engagement Ring

Proper care and cleaning are essential to maintaining your halo ring's sparkle and keeping the smaller diamonds secure. 

We recommend removing your ring before any hands-on activities, including:

• Going to the gym, playing sports or swimming: to avoid your jewellery from getting misshapen or damaged from chemicals. 

• Gardening or DIY: To prevent your jewellery from getting lost or dirty.   

• Washing up: To protect your ring from exposure to chemicals.

• Applying creams or liquids to the hands, such as moisturiser, sun cream, fake tan or antibacterial products: To prevent wear from exposure to chemicals. 

We recommend having your halo engagement ring professionally cleaned and checked annually. Shining Diamonds offers a complimentary jewellery cleaning and setting check service at our London and Brighton showrooms. Each time we clean your ring, we inspect the setting to ensure it remains secure and maintains its bright, beautiful appearance.

Combine vintage and contemporary styles with a dazzling halo engagement ring from Shining Diamonds. Looking to create a bespoke halo ring? Book an appointment today. Our skilled jewellers and diamond experts are on hand to help you find or create the perfect ring for the most important question you will ever ask.