A diamond takes on a different appearance once placed inside a ring. A modest centre stone wrapped in smaller diamonds can appear much bigger than anticipated, while an impressive diamond placed in a delicate setting can appear surprisingly understated.
This difference in appearance is largely the reason behind the allure of halo engagement rings. The designs create a border of smaller stones that create extra sparkle and a larger appearance without necessarily affecting the carat weight being the dominant factor.
For Australian couples comparing engagement ring designs, the consideration goes further to how diamond proportions, metal choice and setting height and everyday comfort affect the appearance of a halo ring.
Why the Halo Changes the Appearance of a Diamond
A traditional halo makes use of smaller diamonds arranged around a larger central stone. The surrounding diamonds contribute to a brighter outline and greater visible surface area of the ring.
The impact depends upon how close the stones are placed to one another. A fine halo that leaves minimal spacing has the appearance of a continuous border, while accent diamonds that are bigger in size produce a more embellished appearance.
The appearance of the halo has to be considered in conjunction with the size of the centre stone. A halo around an undersized centre diamond risks overshadowing it in all but the closest inspection, whereas a narrower border typically maintains the appearance of the centre diamond with a little additional presence.
People researching halo engagement rings Australia can consider different diamond shapes and their proportional relationship within particular settings in order to decide how much emphasis is expected on the centre stone.
A halo is ideal for someone wishing to have a more eye-catching ring but prefer to spend funds on craftsmanship, metal quality or other design aspects to a lesser extent rather than on a heavier centre diamond.
The Centre Diamond Still Determines the Ring’s Character
While the surrounding stones draw the eye, the shape of the centre diamond influences much of the ring’s overall character.
A round diamond is in keeping with a circular halo, having a natural brilliance across its faceted surface. Its nature is well-suited to the appearance of a traditional design with more sparkle produced by its many facets.
An oval centre stone creates an elongated appearance. Special care should be taken when considering a matching halo that follows its proportions – especially in regard to the ends.
Emerald-cut diamonds have broad facets rather than the smaller faceted found on traditional brilliant-cut stones. A delicate halo provides a good balance to their distinctive appearance.
A cushion diamond has rounded corners and a square or rectangular shape. A matching halo helps keep the appearance of the diamond’s shape intact, while a rounder border provides a softer appearance.
Two diamonds with the same carat weight may not have the same face-up proportions. Comparing measurements – rather than carat weight – is a better alternative when it comes to determining the visual differences between two diamonds.
Lab-Grown Diamonds Offer Another Way to Plan the Budget
Lab-grown diamonds are essentially the same in terms of crystalline structure and physical qualities of natural diamonds, but come from different sources.
They tend to be less expensive than mined diamonds, which means that a given budget can allow for slightly better centre stone options, or better features within a particular setting.
That value does not negate the need to inspect a diamond for its overall quality, however.
The way the diamond is cut influences the amount of light that it reflects. Poorly proportioned diamonds can appear duller than well-cut ones even at similarly high colour and clarity grades.
For a halo design, buyers should also take care to inspect the smaller diamonds that make up the halo. Significant differences in colour and overall brightness between the centre and accent diamonds can detract from the ring’s appearance.
An independent grading report from a reputable lab grown diamonds (IGI or GIA being notable examples) can help buyers ascertain what the centre diamond’s features are. The report should always be checked to ensure it contains the information that is actually needed.
Traditional Halos and Hidden Halos Create Different Effects
A traditional halo is visible from the top. It creates a wider appearance for the ring and provides a distinct silhouette around the ring’s central area.
A hidden halo is set at the base of the centre diamond (typically around the basket setting) and can appear similar to a solitaire ring when seen from above. The small diamonds set in the hidden halo design are typically less apparent unless inspected directly on either side of the ring.
Neither design has inherent benefit to the other in regard to everyday wear. The ability to comfortably keep the setting from snagging on fabric and personal belongings is more a matter of structural integrity and how far the basket extends out from the wearers finger.
Double halos create a second row of accent diamonds. This creates more decorative surface space but adds further complexity to the design that may require more individual maintenance.
Setting Height Matters More Than Many Buyers Expect
A halo ring can look beautiful within a photograph, but might be surprisingly frustrating in everyday use.
The height of the setting determines how far out the diamond extends. A raised basket setting can give the centre stone a more eye-catching prominence but can be uncomfortable or prone to snagging on certain items of clothing and gloves.
Lower settings can appear less intrusive, although the space between the wearers skin and the bottom of the basket still depends upon the depth of the diamond in question.
The security of the small diamonds in a halo setting can also determine how well the setting can hold up to everyday wear.
Tiny pavé diamonds are often held in place with beads or small prongs at strategic points around the band. Asking these questions before ordering:
- Are the halo diamonds set securely?
- Can individual small accent diamonds be replaced if necessary?
- Will the setting interfere with your intended wedding band?
- What services are offered for cleaning or inspecting the setting on a regular basis?
- Can resizing be performed without concern for the setting or its smaller diamonds?
These questions are particularly crucial for rings incorporating delicate metal aspects or pavé diamonds running along the band or its shank, or if other design elements are involved beyond a basic band shape.
Metal Choice Affects Both Appearance and Maintenance
White gold, yellow gold, rose gold and platinum can be used to create a ring that has noticeably different appearance based on the same diamond arrangement.
White gold creates a fairly consistent appearance for colourless diamonds – many white gold settings are rhodium plated, and this plate often requires renewal in its own right as the metal wears down over time.
Yellow gold can provide contrasting appearance and is ideal for accentuating a halo, while rose gold provides a pinkish tone that can change how the setting itself interacts with the eye.
Platinum is consistently white and does not require rhodium plating, but develops surface imperfections as the metal wears with time.
Consideration should be given to the appearance and maintenance that best suits the needs of the wearers in tandem with the structural aspects of the chosen setting. The structure and thickness of the band itself and its attachment to the rest of the setting should be considered.
Check the Wedding Band Before Finalising the Engagement Ring
One important detail often overlooked is how the wedding band will appear when worn alongside an engagement ring with a halo.
The halo itself or its basket setting may extend out further than the shank of the engagement ring, which means that a straight wedding band will fail to lay flat against it.
A curved or contoured wedding band may be a more suitable alternative, but comes with its own complications – the potential appearance of such wedding bands and engagement rings are inherently linked together in its compatibility.
Buyers who are considering a straight band should inspect the side of the engagement ring to ensure that a similar style can be comfortably combined.
