23 best diamond halo engagement rings
Engagement rings are such a personal choice. Thankfully there's the perfect ring for absolutely every bride's taste, from classic to contemporary, vintage to bohemian, and every style in between. Halo engagement rings are one of our favourite designs for sophisticated brides who love to sparkle and shine.
The halo setting is a ring of small accent stones, typically pavé diamonds, surrounding a larger center stone. Halo settings can be the same shape as the center stone, or they can be different, such as a cushion-cut halo circling a round diamond. Read on to discover more about this classic engagement ring style and some of our favourite designs (to forward to your other half, hint hint).
Halo engagement rings - a timeless style
In 2010, Kate Middleton showed off her sparkling new engagement ring: a stunning sapphire center stone sitting in a diamond halo setting. Ever since then, halo settings have become an incredibly popular choice among brides.
The halo style can be traced back to the Georgian era (1714-1837), a period of great innovation in jewellery making. However the contemporary halo setting we know today was first introduced during the Art Deco era of the 1920s. These contemporary halo engagement rings feature concentric circles or shapes surrounding a centerstone. They are symmetrical and have geometric patterns.
Today brides are spoilt for choice with halo engagement rings in the most elegant shapes such as oval, pear, square, cushion and emerald-cut. Choose a classic diamond or add character with a colored gemstone, or even a combination of both in a custom design you won't find anywhere else. Scroll on for a look at some of the best halo engagement rings around right now.
Round or oval halo engagement rings
Round or oval shaped halo engagement rings are a classic choice for brides who favor elegant understated style. For next level sparkle, choose a double halo design with a diamond encrusted band.
Emerald cut halo engagement rings
An emerald-cut diamond's elongated form actually makes the stone appear bigger than other diamond cuts, while the gem's vertical facets create a glamorous, mirror-like effect. Add in a halo and this elegant cut gives your finger bling some serious presence.
Pear cut halo engagement rings
Pear-shaped engagement rings are having a real moment and it's easy to see why. Stunning yet simple, these teardrop-shaped diamonds are totally timeless and also elongate your finger for a flattering look. An important factor to note however, is that the very small, pointy tip of pear cut diamonds makes them vulnerable to damage so you'll need to be extra careful with this delicate style.
Sunburst and ballerina engagement rings
If serious bling is your thing, you'll go gaga for the multifaceted sparkle of a sunburst or ballerina ring. Both are a type of halo design, where the ring's halo fans out from the center stone like rays of sunshine or the tutu of a ballerina. Distinctive and indicative of old Hollywood glamour, these rings are a decadent statement piece that dates back to the 1950s, making them a great choice for lovers of vintage costume-style jewelry.
Cushion-cut halo engagement rings
A classic style for an elegant understated look, cushion cut engagement rings have an old world charm that never seems to date. The cushion cut diamond can be traced back to the 1700s, where the square shaped diamond with rounded edges was referred to as the mine cut, named after the Brazilian diamond mines.
Today's cushion cut diamonds incorporate the old mine faceted diamond pattern with a modern round cut for increased dazzle and brilliance. The softened corners give the diamond a pillow-like look, hence the term 'cushion cut.'
