Halo Engagement Rings

Halo Engagement Rings for Women

A halo ring surrounds the center diamond with a ring of smaller stones. The effect is a brighter, fuller-looking ring, and a center stone that reads larger than its carat weight. This collection covers halo and hidden halo settings across eight diamond shapes, in natural, lab-grown and fancy color diamonds, set in 10K, 14K or 18K gold. If you want to compare settings first, start with all of our women's engagement rings.

What Is a Halo Engagement Ring?

A halo engagement ring has a center diamond or gemstone encircled by a border of small accent diamonds, usually set in pavé. The border follows the outline of the center stone, so a round stone gets a round halo, a pear gets a teardrop-shaped one, and so on.

Those small diamonds do two things. They add sparkle around the edge of the ring, and they make the center stone look larger. Many halo rings also continue the diamonds down the band, which adds more shine along the finger.

Halos vary a lot. A thin halo with fine stones looks delicate. A wide one with larger accents looks bold. Some are plain, and some have milgrain edges or decorative details. For a plain-language overview of how the setting works, see our halo setting guide and the complete halo engagement rings buying guide.

Why Women Choose a Halo

It looks bigger. The ring of diamonds extends the visual footprint of the center stone. If you want a larger look and a fixed budget, a halo can stretch it.

It sparkles from more angles. Light hits the small stones as well as the center, so the ring keeps catching it as you move.

It protects the center stone. The border sits slightly above the band and surrounds the diamond's edge, which adds some protection.

It works with many shapes. You can choose a halo for a round, oval, cushion, pear, emerald, princess, radiant or marquise diamond.

There are trade-offs. A halo has many small stones, so it takes more cleaning than a plain solitaire, and the small stones should be checked occasionally for looseness. If you prefer low maintenance, our guide to solitaire vs halo engagement rings compares the two honestly.

Are Halo Engagement Rings Out of Style?

Some people call halos dated, and others call them classic. Both reactions come from the same fact: the halo has been popular for a long time, so it has been through a full trend cycle.

What tends to date a halo is the proportions. A very thick halo that overwhelms a small center stone can look heavy. A halo that frames the stone and stays proportionate usually looks current, whatever the year. If you want less visible sparkle, a thin halo or a hidden halo keeps the proportions modest.

Types of Halo Engagement Rings

Classic Halo

The classic halo is the version most people picture: a center stone with a visible ring of accent diamonds around it. It suits every shape and metal, and it is the easiest halo to match with a wedding band later. Hidden and pavé versions are covered below.

Hidden Halo

A hidden halo puts the small diamonds beneath the center stone instead of around it. From above, the ring looks like a solitaire. From the side, a line of diamonds shows. It suits buyers who want a quiet top view with extra sparkle in profile. Shop hidden halo engagement rings, or read our guides to the hidden halo ring and halo vs hidden halo.

Halo With Pavé Band

Some halo rings also have a band set with small round diamonds. This pairs the halo with sparkle along the whole ring. Our pavé setting guide explains how the stones are held and how to care for them.

Halo Settings by Diamond Shape

The shape of the center stone changes the character of the halo.

• Round: The most traditional pairing. Browse round diamond engagement rings for round halos and other settings.
• Cushion: A soft, rounded square that looks romantic and slightly vintage inside a halo. See cushion cut engagement rings.
• Oval: An elongated halo that suits longer, narrower stones. Shop oval cut engagement rings.
• Pear: The halo follows the teardrop outline and its point. See pear shape engagement rings.
• Emerald: A rectangular step-cut stone with a halo has a strong Art Deco feel. Explore emerald cut engagement rings.
• Princess, radiant and marquise: These angular and pointed shapes are available in halo settings too. See princess cut, radiant cut and marquise rings.

Natural, Lab-Grown or Fancy Color

You can choose a halo ring with any of three diamond types.

Natural diamonds are mined, and many buyers prefer them for their origin. See our natural diamond engagement rings.

Lab-grown diamonds have the same chemical makeup and look as natural ones, and they usually cost less per carat. Browse lab-grown diamond engagement rings, or read our lab vs natural diamond guide.

Fancy color diamonds come in pink, yellow, blue and green. A colored center stone surrounded by white diamonds makes the color stand out. See our colored lab diamond engagement rings.

Choosing the Metal

Our halo rings are made in solid 10K, 14K or 18K gold, in yellow, white or rose.

White gold gives a bright, silver-white look that makes a halo look crisp. It is rhodium plated, so it may need replating after some years. Yellow gold adds warmth and suits vintage-style halos. Rose gold has a soft pink tone and is a little tougher because of its copper content.

Higher karat means more gold and richer color. Lower karat is harder and costs less. See our 14K vs 18K gold guide and the engagement ring metals guide. If you are considering platinum, our platinum vs gold guide explains the differences.

Vintage, Modern and Custom Halos

Halo rings suit several looks. For a vintage feel, pair a cushion or emerald center with a milgrain halo, and read our guides to vintage engagement rings and Art Deco engagement rings. For a modern look, try a thin halo, a hidden halo or an east-west stone. For ideas outside the usual, see our unique engagement rings guide. If you want a particular combination, you can ask about a custom design.

Pairing a Halo With a Wedding Band

A halo's outline can stop a straight band from sitting flush. Three options work well:

• A curved band or ring enhancer that fits the halo's outline. See curved wedding bands and ring enhancers.
• A plain band that leaves a small gap and keeps the focus on the halo.
• A matching diamond band for a fuller stack. See our women's wedding bands and half eternity rings.

Our guide on how to choose a wedding band for an engagement ring covers width, metal and fit.

How to Choose Your Halo Ring

1. Shape. It decides the outline of the halo.
2. Classic or hidden. Do you want the sparkle on top or only from the side?
3. Diamond type and size. This sets the budget. Our guide to deciding an engagement ring budget can help.
4. Metal. Match it to the jewelry she already wears.
5. Ring size. Use our size guide, and read our returns and exchange policy before ordering.

Find Your Halo Ring at Diagaa

If you know the shape you want, go straight to it from the list above. If you are still deciding, start with the engagement ring settings guide, then browse every halo ring in the collection and filter by shape, diamond type and metal. For questions about a specific ring, use our contact page.