If you are about to get engaged, the ring will be one of the things you pay most attention to. This is quite right too, for it will not only be a beautiful thing to slip on a finger on the day (assuming the answer is “yes”), but something to be treasured for many years to come.
For some couples, there is no doubt about the right kind of ring. The hints may have been dropped loudly enough that a traditional solitaire diamond, or perhaps a trilogy ring, would be just right.
On other occasions, however, there may be a discussion to be had. This could involve considering different styles and designs, or even coming up with some ideas for a bespoke ring, the last of these being something we love to work with our clients on.
Why Choose A Halo Ring?
For those who want something truly dazzling, halo-style engagement rings may be well worth considering. The distinctive style will stand out and the aesthetic elements may be very appealing to you.
Instead of a single diamond, a halo ring has one large stone in the centre and one, two or even three rings of smaller gems (usually diamonds) surrounding it. These smaller gems are known as accent stones.
The idea is that the central stone is highlighted not by being on its own in the form of a solitaire, or one of three as in a trilogy, but the large centrepiece amid a myriad of gems.
Halo rings have an interesting history:
· They were first seen in the Georgian era
· They were further developed in the Victorian age, when mine-cut diamonds, sapphires, rubies and other gems (or even pearls) became prominent and the resemblance to a flower made it appealing in the romantic period
· The designs fitted well with the Art Deco style that took the world by storm in the 1920s, further increasing their popularity and giving birth to the round halo ring
Halo rings can come in more than one style. The double halo has two lines of accent stones, while the central stone may be round, oval shaped, heart shaped, among various possibilities.
What Famous People Have Worn Halo Engagement Rings?
Whether or not you are likely to be influenced by what celebrities do, there have been many famous wearers of halo rings down the years:
· Kelly Clarkson, whose engagement ring received from Brandon Blackstock in 2012 featured a canary yellow diamond surrounded by white diamonds
· Eva Longoria got engaged in 2015 with a halo ring that featured a ruby surrounded by diamonds
· Gwen Stefani’s first engagement in 2002 featured a heart-shaped diamond surrounded by a halo of diamonds, with more smaller diamonds on either side
However, there is no doubt about the identity of the most famous halo engagement ring of all. Princess Diana chose a ring with a 12-carat sapphire surrounded by a halo of diamonds, a style henceforth always to be known as the ‘Diana ring’.
If both her marriage to Prince (now King) Charles and her life were both to end in tragedy, the ring itself has had an ongoing story, with her son Prince William presenting it to Kate Middleton upon their engagement. She wears it to this day.
Which Gems Are Most Suitable For Halo Rings?
Sapphires have a long association with the royal family, but they are also a practical choice for a halo ring. As the largest stone in a ‘Diana’ ring, they are most prone to bumps and scrapes. However, like rubies, sapphires are corundums and measure 9 on the Mohs scale.
This makes them second only to diamonds (10) in hardness, making them ideal for everyday wear. The same is less true for other gems.
For example, an emerald, at 7.5-8 on the scale, is more vulnerable to chips and cracks, as the scale is not linear and an emerald is not 75 per cent of the hardness of a diamond.
This also goes for pearls. Much as some might have enjoyed using them in halo rings in Victorian times, they are only between 2.5 and 4.5 on the Mohs scale.
Variants in colour are possible beyond the traditional white of diamonds or the red and blue of rubies and sapphires, as Kelly Clarkson’s yellow diamond showed. If green is your colour, a green diamond or fancy sapphire is a better alternative than an emerald.
Halo rings are beautiful and striking and have been worn by many famous women, but they are just as notable for the wide range of variations in colours, stones used and design features.
This means that if you want a ring with a bespoke design, a halo offers some wonderful possibilities.