Halo-Setting Engagement Rings: The Complete Guide

In 2010, Kate Middleton showed off her sparkling new engagement ring: a stunning sapphire center stone sitting in a diamond halo setting. It should come as no surprise that, ever since then, halo settings have become an incredibly popular choice among brides.

Halos add extra glitz and glimmer to any ring, and clearly, they are fit for a princess. Not only are they versatile and easy to customize, but this setting can actually make a diamond appear as much as half a carat larger than it actually is. We talked to jewelers Rohan Agrawal and Adam Patrick to learn more about this showstopping setting and how to care for it.

Pros and Cons of a Halo Setting

The biggest appeal of a halo setting is that it complements the center stone well and makes your ring appear larger. “The halo setting is designed to accentuate the beauty of the center stone by adding size and brilliance in an affordable way,” says Agrawal. “If the center and accent stones are two different colors, then the halo setting draws more focus toward the center stone. It enhances its visual appeal through a contrast of colors and brilliance.”

While a halo setting will make a center diamond look larger (something that saves money on the actual stone), it’s not always the more budget-friendly option. “More metal and more gems mean that the style is more expensive compared to simpler designs, like solitaire or three stones,” Agrawal says. Special care should be taken with halo settings, as the smaller diamonds surrounding the larger stone fall out easily. Also, because of the shape of a halo and the way it creates an edge around the center stone, the setting makes it a little difficult to pair an engagement ring with a wedding band.

What to Look for in a Halo Setting

• Are there certain cuts of diamonds that pair well with a halo setting? While any cut works with a halo, a round diamond is the most popular option. It creates perfect symmetry. Agrawal also loves an emerald-cut center stone for its visual impact. “The linear faceting of the emerald-cut has a pleasant contrast with round-shaped accent stones," he says.

• Can other stones be used for a halo setting? Yes, halo rings are great if you want to incorporate colored stones in your setting. “Many halo rings have beautiful emeralds, pearls, or rubies as the center stone, which, design-wise, makes it more interesting," says Patrick.

• How can I maximize the look of my halo setting? If you want a halo setting specifically to make your center stone look larger, Agrawal recommends choosing one with diamonds of the same quality (color, cut, and clarity) as the center stone. “A contrast would pronounce the differences between the center and accent stones and lose the desired effect,” he says.

How to Care for Your Halo-Setting Engagement Ring

A solution of dishwashing soap and warm water will help remove any dust, particles, or cosmetics that have accumulated on your ring. You can let your ring air-dry or use a soft cotton cloth to dry it. While it's fine to clean the ring yourself once a week, it's recommended to take your halo engagement ring to a jeweler once or twice a year for a more thorough cleaning and to review any problems with your ring. 

Halo rings are more intricate due to the number of smaller diamonds around the main stone. “Ideally, with this kind of ring, you would want to get a wedding band made to fit around or under the engagement ring,” Patrick says. “If you don’t, the two will inevitably rub against one another, and over time, will wear away the gallery underneath. It’s an extra consideration, as you need to factor in that you will be repairing or replacing the wedding band at some point if you don’t have one made.”