Think Twice Before Choosing A Halo Style Engagement Ring — Here's Why

Halo-style engagement rings have been popular since the 1700s, giving this versatile ring the beauty of antiquity. With their timeless appeal and charm, halo rings have remained a favorite for those who want that extra sparkle on their finger. The halo style is created by taking a solitaire or pavé band and placing a ring of tiny diamonds around the center stone, creating a halo look.

Many people love this setting because it is adaptable to various diamond shapes and makes the center stone look much bigger. There are two main types of halo settings: flush and floating. While a flush halo has a row of diamonds placed at the same level as the main diamond, giving it a seamless look, a floating halo is lower than the center stone, giving the main diamond the appearance of floating on the halo.

The halo style is elaborate and adaptable to so many different visions. However, it may not be your lifestyle's most practical ring choice.

Halos add bulk to your ring and ultimately make it look much bigger without increasing the price the way a larger diamond would. With the option of a double or triple halo, this style will inevitably look and feel like a rock on your finger. It's also important to consider the option of a hidden halo. This is where the halo sits below the center stone but has a smaller diameter, making it hidden when looking at the diamond straight on.

Hidden halos are a beautiful addition to any ring, but the setting requires the main diamond to sit higher on your finger. This can lead to snagging your ring on clothes, couches, or various things amid your daily activities. It also makes any physical activity with your hands quite impractical. If you are someone who enjoys lifting weights at the gym or being super active outdoors, there's a good chance a halo-style ring will feel like more work than it's worth.

With all the tiny diamonds that are included in a halo setting, it's inevitable that some will fall out with normal wear and tear, leaving you with frequent trips back to your jeweler for maintenance requests. On top of that, more diamonds usually means more trapped dirt. So, learning how to safely clean your engagement ring at home will likely be a must.

While a halo engagement ring can look beautiful on its own, pairing the perfect wedding band with it will require some thought. Certain wedding bands go with halo engagement rings, which you'll need to consider early on if you have your heart set on a specific look or stackable bands. When you have, halo-style engagement rings with a rounder profile, wearing straight wedding bands is not recommended because they constantly rub against each other on your finger. The diamonds in the band could scratch the metal on the base of your engagement ring over time.

Because of these limitations, it is usually advised to have a custom wedding band made to fit your specific halo-style ring. Of course, designing your own wedding band adds time and money to the process. There are bands that wrap around center stones and halos, but finding the right match may be a challenge, and it limits your options.

Despite these considerations, many people still have their hearts set on a halo-style engagement ring, which is not bad. If you are still dreaming about an engagement ring with a halo, it likely means it's meant for you. Knowing what you want and sticking with it is amazing. Plus, going into your decision with an awareness of the pros and cons will only make the process easier.