Advice needed! Halo too chunky?? Please be honest...

[aad830]

this is the first time I'm posting, but pricescope has been an invaluable resource to me over the past few months as my fiance to be and i (read: i) have been designing my e-ring. the look i was going for was the always beautiful and classic HW micropave cushion cut halo ring -- i have loved that ring and wanted to re-create that look. the ring i loved was the one with a 3 ct center stone, but since my center stone ended up being 2.27 ct, i wanted a bit larger halo so it didn't look too small on my finger. i did a lot of research on the size of micropave side stones, and ended up going with 1.2-1.3 mm stones for the shank and 1.6 mm for the halo. a little after the ring was set out for production, i wanted to change the halo stones to a touch smaller at 1.5 mm, but this couldn't be done. when i went to see the ring once it was done, i really liked it, but it seemed really bit and like the halo was a bit chunky. i think part of it may be because i didn't have a tangible ring with a comparable center stone as mine or a halo of that size, so i didn't know what to expect really. also, i think part of me had it in my mind that the halo was going to be too big since i wanted 1.5 mm stones in the end but knew the actual halo stones were bigger.

what i would appreciate your input on is an honest opinion on the look of the ring compared to the HW "inspiration" -- i wanted the halo a bit bigger, but is it too chunky? if so, do you think taking the halo stones down from 1.6 mm to 1.5 mm would even make a difference? is that even possible?

obviously i'm going to need to take some time getting used to the ring and finalizing my opinion on it before changing anything. i'm going to wear it for a few weeks/months to see how i feel, but in the meantime, would appreciate your honest opinion.

thanks!!!!

 

[Von03]

I think your ring is very pretty. But being honest, I personally think a subtler, delicate halo would enhance your diamond more, whereas a chunkier halo causes the diamond to just blur into the setting. It's so hard to design a ring and visualize the final outcome. I hope, with whatever you choose, that you end up loving your ring for years to come.

*edited to say-
Please don't get me wrong.. Your ring is gorgeous, but you want to love it and have it take your breath away every time you look at it.

 

[diamondseeker2006]

Your ring is beautiful! But yes, if you wanted the HW look, you needed smaller halo stones. Maybe smaller than 1.5.

 

[TracyBear]

It gives you great finger coverage and I think the chunkier look makes it more modern, like a super expensive cocktail ring. It's very fashionable and trendy! I personally think that your ring is gorgeous, bold, and unique. I think it'll only look overdone if you add on another matching wedding band. It might just look like a wall of diamonds at that point.

If you're looking for a more classic look, then yes, the melees on the halo are a tad big and not as delicate. It's up to your personal taste.

 

[JulieN]

Wow, great finger coverage!

 

[CharmyPoo]

Honest answer - your ring does not look like a delicate halo. It has a more modern chunky feel due to the size of the halo and how the halo is flat versus a gentle slope down. I believe there are several contributing factor to the "chunky" feel beyond just the size of the melee. These include the slope of the halo, the amount of metal holding the melee, etc. I would need to see close up view of the pave work to evaluate.

If you decide to remake, I highly suggest just going with one of the tried and true vendors here who have made hundreds of these halos and know exactly what to do to make a beautiful halo. I haven't seen in real life vendors who are able to execute halos like them.

 

[lknvrb4]

I also think you need smaller diamonds for your halo. The larger ones make your center stone mush together with everything.

 

[GreenBling]

I think it is a very pretty and blingy ring, and it would be even prettier with a more delicate halo.

Fyi, i am planning to downsize my double halo for the same reason.

 

[Niel]

a twinge too chunky If you were going for the delicate HW look.

 

[SB621]

Honestly, yup I don't care for it. It is too bulky for my taste. I think you need to change 3 things:
1- Go down to 1.2 or 1.3mm melee
2- Angle the halo- right now it looks like a disc to me. I believe the popular angle is 25% that most of the pave masters use
3- I would only have Steven Kirsch, Victor Canera or Engagment Ring Direct make this ring. I have never been impressed with any local places but I'm also super picky when it comes to this setting as I have had a few made.

 

[StacylikesSparkles]

Nice finger coverage, but I do think its a bit too bulky and crowds your diamond. The diamond should be the star!

 

[aad830]

Hi everyone,

Thanks so much for your replies and your honesty! I felt the same way, but felt some weird obligation to really like it for some reason, and I think my friends and family have just been telling me what they think I wanted to hear. I agree that the halo is too chunky and detracts from, rather than accenuates, the center stone.

Do you think the jewelers will be able to re-size the halo? It seems like 1.3 or 1.4 mm stones would be less distracting. I'm going to talk to the jewelers today -- wish me luck!

 

[bunnycat]

Hi everyone,

Thanks so much for your replies and your honesty! I felt the same way, but felt some weird obligation to really like it for some reason, and I think my friends and family have just been telling me what they think I wanted to hear. I agree that the halo is too chunky and detracts from, rather than accenuates, the center stone.

Do you think the jewelers will be able to re-size the halo? It seems like 1.3 or 1.4 mm stones would be less distracting. I'm going to talk to the jewelers today -- wish me luck!

I'm not sure they can do anything to what's already there. I would agree with this style halo, smaller stones work better in the halo and the halo looks better when it's at a tilt. Do you know if your's is at a tilt?

But I also think there are some halo styles that work with larger melee (some antique styles with milgrain around them) or create a larger look around the stone that works, so if you are still looking for finger coverage, you might check in to some more antique style rings.

 

[SB621]

Hi everyone,

Thanks so much for your replies and your honesty! I felt the same way, but felt some weird obligation to really like it for some reason, and I think my friends and family have just been telling me what they think I wanted to hear. I agree that the halo is too chunky and detracts from, rather than accenuates, the center stone.

Do you think the jewelers will be able to re-size the halo? It seems like 1.3 or 1.4 mm stones would be less distracting. I'm going to talk to the jewelers today -- wish me luck!

I'm not sure they can do anything to what's already there. I would agree with this style halo, smaller stones work better in the halo and the halo looks better when it's at a tilt. Do you know if your's is at a tilt?

But I also think there are some halo styles that work with larger melee (some antique styles with milgrain around them) or create a larger look around the stone that works, so if you are still looking for finger coverage, you might check in to some more antique style rings.

I think Bastecat you are talking about a more Legacy Inspired Halo from Tiffanys vs. the HW.

 

[Laila619]

Well, it certainly gives great finger coverage!!! I think it's really pretty!

I don't know if 'chunky' is the word I would use. I think it's very blingy, almost like a cocktail ring though.

 

[junebug17]

Yeah, I think what's adding to making the halo look big is the amount of metal used, not just melee size (just going by the pics you posted)...sounds like the stones are probably about 2 points (someone correct me if I'm wrong) and that's not really crazy big for a halo. I'm not sure a whole lot can be done, I would think the ring would have to be remade to achieve the look you want. But I am no expert and am very interested in hearing what your jeweler has to say. Please let us know how you make out!

And I think your ring is very pretty!

 

[aad830]

There actually isn't much metal showing, though you can hardly tell from the photos (sorry, iPhone photos I took myself, not the best quality). They intimated that they will probably have to re-make the halo, but I'd prefer we pay extra for that than have a ring I don't love.

Also, I see what you're saying about the angled halo. I can't remember if the halo was angled much or not -- I will check next time I go in. I think I will be sure to talk to the jeweler directly, rather than the sales lady and the owner I have been working with -- I'm not sure they understand the look I want to achieve, or they didn't communicate it effectively to the jeweler.

 

[ame]

I think the halo needs to be SIGNIFICANTLY narrower than it is. Your main stone gets lost in that halo and it looks nothing at all like the HW style which is completely dainty and thin haloed and banded. I know you're trying to "make up for" your perception that your center stone isn't as large or spready as you'd like, but it's going to look much nicer with a thinner halo than the current setting has.

 

[aad830]

I think the halo needs to be SIGNIFICANTLY narrower than it is. Your main stone gets lost in that halo and it looks nothing at all like the HW style which is completely dainty and thin haloed and banded. I know you're trying to "make up for" your perception that your center stone isn't as large or spready as you'd like, but it's going to look much nicer with a thinner halo than the current setting has.

Thanks for the input. I actually love the center stone and wasn't trying to "make up for" it, I just don't think the jeweler understood the look I was going for. I don't like how big it sits on my finger, and didn't feel comfortable wearing it.

One of the issues was I had no idea what size halo stones to use, and think we went way too big. I've asked them to re-do the 3D renditions with 1.4 mm halo stones, and will go down to 1.3 mm if that looks too big. The stones on the band are 1.2 mm, for reference, and I think are a nice size for the band.

I also plan on asking them about angling the halo a bit. Does anyone have any nice side shots of a halo that shows the angling well for me to show the jeweler?

 

[junebug17]

This is a profile pic of Frankiextah's ring made by Victor Canera. Her center stone is round but it gives you an idea. Her halo is angled 25 degrees.

 

[ame]

I think smaller stones, on an angle, will help significantly. The more delicate the halo is, I think the more you're going to like the look.

 

[heididdl]

Your ring is beautiful but i agree that the more petite 1.2 1.3 mm stones would enhance the center stone and show it off instead of showing it up

 

[motownmama]

I'm gonna go against the tide here - I love it the way it looks now!

 

[GoldFish8]

I'm gonna go against the tide here - I love it the way it looks now!

I second that!

 

[aad830]

thanks motownmama and goldfish, glad you like it. i don't think it looks terrible the way it is now, it's just not the look i'm going for. i wanted more of a delicate halo, and this just wasn't what i had in mind.

 

[AprilBaby]

Third here! I love what you have! Great coverage!