All about Halo Engagement Rings: Comparing Traditional and Modern Designs

You’ve probably heard the term halo engagement ring, but might not know how many variations you’ll see in this category. Some have a classic look, while modern halo engagement rings have unique features that stand out.

While halos seem like a newer trend, they’ve been around for thousands of years. The first halo engagement rings date back to Europe in the early Georgian era (1714-1837), where round diamonds or pearls bordered the center stone. During the Victorian era (1837-1901), halo engagement rings became more popular and featured a center-colored gemstone to look like flowers.

Definition and Characteristics of Traditional Designs

A traditional halo engagement ring features a center stone, usually a diamond, surrounded by a frame of smaller diamonds called a halo. The ancient halo engagement rings of the past aren’t as polished and perfect as today’s halo designs. The technology behind diamond jewelry, design has continued to improve, and today’s halos look stunning.

Definition and Characteristics of Modern Designs

Modern halo designs feature uniquely shaped center stones, additional side stones on the band, asymmetrical designs, and non-traditional materials such as colored center stones. A popular modern halo design is a blue sapphire center stone surrounded by a halo of diamonds. Another unique design is a pear-shaped center stone with a halo of diamonds, and a pavé band. You’ll also see unique halos like a star halo, .

Materials and Settings

Both traditional and modern halo engagement rings have customization options to make the ring your own. You can select the metal that fits your preferences, such as platinum, rose, white, or yellow gold. Look at how each metal impact the overall look of the ring and complements the stones. Another ring detail that impacts its look is the setting styles: prong, pavé, and bezel. Most have prong settings with metal arms that hold stones in place. Pavé refers to diamonds that are set closely together in a way that resembles a road made out of diamonds. Bezel set stones are held in place with a border of metal. The setting gives a ring a different look while it protects the stones.

Diamond Cuts and Shapes

You have thousands of different halo options based on the diamond cut. You’ll see round, princess, cushion, emerald, pear, and oval-shaped diamonds in halo rings. Each diamond shape gives the engagement ring a different look.

Aesthetic Appeal

Halo engagement rings have a timeless quality. They’re elegant, beautiful, and have just the right amount of brilliance. The bands typically have a classic look. On the other hand, modern halo rings have some unique elements that catch the eye. They can be sleek, avant-garde aesthetics with some bold looks. Some might have some intricate detail along the band, like swirling bands of diamonds and metal. You might see some additional side stones, woven into the design.

Customization and Personalization

Modern engagement rings, allow you to customize all aspects of your ring. You can choose the metal you like, select the center stone and the total carat weight of the band. You can easily create the ring you want in every way. Bespoke jewelry is a trend that’s not going anywhere, and it allows couples to create a custom ring.

Popularity and Market Trends

Halo rings continue to be a sought-after style that isn’t going anywhere. Traditional or modern, halo engagement rings make the center stone appear larger and it makes the ring even more eye-catching. Traditional halo rings are timeless and elegant, and modern halo rings provide a little more flair with a unique look that stands out. Having more choices is beneficial because it allows couples to get a dream ring that reflects personal preferences and style.

Budget Considerations

The cost of traditional and modern halos varies based on the quality of the diamonds and gemstones, the type of metals, and the total carat weight. A more complex modern halo ring will cost you more. It’s a good idea to set a budget prior to shopping for rings so that you can narrow your options and make your shopping experience more efficient. Higher-quality diamonds will cost more than lower-quality versions, and larger natural diamonds are rare and have a higher price tag. You can choose a lab diamond rather than mined diamonds to ensure you get the quality you want but stay within budget. Lab diamonds, are also environmentally friendly and ethically sourced. Platinum is also rarer, so it costs more than other metals, such as gold. If your engagement ring setting has a higher total carat weight, it will cost more. As long as you factor that into your budget, you’ll be all set.

Conclusion

Halo engagement rings look stunning. A border of diamonds surrounds the center stone, making it look bigger than it actually is. The additional sparkle makes this engagement ring design unforgettable. You’ll see designs with more classic looks, and others will have more unique features that give the ring a modern look. Select the metal you prefer, choose a center stone that fits your budget and preferences, and determine the total carat weight of the setting. And you are ready to go! You can also choose between lab and natural diamonds to suit your budget and values. Halo engagement rings are a popular trend that will stick around for years, so find a halo engagement ring that feels like “you”!