For an engagement ring that evokes the glitz and glamour of vintage style with a modern appeal, the Halo is a popular choice for brides-to-be. We talked to our head designer about what makes a Halo style ring unique and how to care for it.
What Is a Halo Style Engagement Ring and Why Should I Choose This Style?
The Halo engagement ring design is named for the small accent ‘halo’ gemstones surrounding a larger centre gemstone. Our Aura Collection features the Halo style setting where sparkling premium diamonds are set closely together, encircling the feature diamond or coloured gemstone.
What is the history of the Halo engagement ring design?
The Halo design has been capturing the hearts of brides for generations, rising to popularity during the Art Deco era, over 100 years ago during the 1920’s-30’s. The small gemstones surrounding the centre stone were set Pavé style, with the small beads holding the stones intruding as little as possible on the design, maximizing the overall sparkle of the setting. The result was a look both classic and elegant with the benefit of giving an illusion of a larger central stone.
Why is the Halo Ring style so popular?
The beauty of the Halo style lies in the clever use of smaller gemstones to enhance the overall size and shape of the ring, delivering a look with more sparkle on the finger. As the design is typically used to showcase a larger central stone, the Halo setting is the perfect frame for a more unusual cut gemstone such as Pear, Emerald, Heart or Marquise cuts. The versatility of the Halo setting means that coloured gemstones look equally spectacular either as central or accent stones surrounded by smaller diamonds.
What should I look for when choosing a Halo setting?
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Diamond proportion - The size and cut of the central stone will affect the halo diamond proportion.
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Quality of diamonds - The quality of the halo diamonds should match central stone - this will maximize the overall look and level of sparkle.
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Choice of metal - Depending on which stones you select, your metal selection can enhance the illusion of more sparkle. For example white gold and diamond is a classic combination, or perhaps you like rose gold and pink diamonds together for a feminine look.
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Central stone cut - The type of cut of the central stone can give vastly different appearances. Emerald, Oval and Marquise cut stones will elongate and cover more of the finger, whereas Round, Pear and Heart cut gemstones give the illusion of larger width.
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Why choose a Gerard McCabe Aura Halo design?
Our Aura engagement rings are designed to showcase the maximum scintillation of sparkling diamonds and gemstones, for the most impact when wearing on your finger. We specially choose only the best quality gemstones to sit beside each other and enhance the central stone - the light reflected from the Halo will provide the illusion of the central stone being much bigger than its actual size.
We have refined our Halo design over the past 35 years to perfectly balance the setting elements with the gemstone. This has resulted in a look that we believe appears more delicate and sparkling, without compromising the integrity of the setting.
We also take into careful consideration the size and proportion of the gemstones in the halo setting and the central larger stone. This ensures that the halo does not overpower the central stone and vice versa - each Aura ring is a harmonious showcase of natural beauty.
The size and sparkle of an Aura design can also be enhanced by choosing matching Wedding and Eternity rings. Designed to sit next to our Aura engagement rings, the proportion and quality of our matching rings will effortlessly add sparkle while keeping the central Aura stone as the focal point. The set together is a masterpiece that can be cherished for generations.
How easy is it to customize an Aura design?
Every engagement ring is unique to the wearer, as we only use natural gemstones no two rings are ever exactly alike. The options with Aura are endless, you can choose your metal type (yellow gold, white gold, rose gold or platinum) and central stone type (Diamond or Coloured Gemstone) to suit your style and budget. Choose from our extensive range of ethical and certified diamonds. You are only limited by your imagination!
Can you add a halo to an engagement ring?
Our Aura engagement rings are designed to fit a variety of different gemstone cuts and weights, each with their own matching wedding and eternity bands. If you have an existing engagement ring that you wish to customize with a Halo design, you can book an appointment with our Bespoke Designer to chat about remodelling your existing ring.
What kind of other halo options can I choose from?
When it comes to engagement rings, you are only limited by your imagination. Our team of Bespoke designers can work with you to create the perfect halo engagement ring. Whether it’s to add a second row of diamonds for a double halo style ring, or customizing your setting to include a hidden halo at the base, we can work with you to design the ring of your dreams.
How do I care for my Halo style Engagement Ring?
Halo ring designs are more intricate due to the number of small diamonds around the central stone, so taking proper care of it will ensure that you will be able to enjoy your ring for many years to come. When the time comes to selecting a wedding or eternity ring, choosing a style that matches the ring design is paramount in ensuring a comfortable fit that won’t damage your engagement ring setting. Our range of Aura wedding and eternity rings are specially designed with this in mind, for a perfect match. All Gerard McCabe rings purchased come with a complimentary 12 month care plan where we assess and clean your jewellery, to ensure you’ll get the maximum life from your special purchase.
Have you fallen in love with the romantic allure of the Aura design? View our collection online and choose an engagement ring that is truly yours!
