Does anyone dismiss halos?

[nala]

So, I used to have a halo, and for some reason, I traded it up for a 3 stone. As I said to a previous poster, I really miss my halo now. I know we all get the itch to switch our settings and always seem to want something new, but I am really contemplating it again. At the time, I felt that a halo on my 1.5 round made my ring look too blingy for my profession. Most teachers are very conservative, and I even feel uncomfortable wearing my Rolex. But I suppose I could get past all of that (even though I still haven't worn my Rolex to work), so I know that is not the real reason for my hesitation. I guess that I want to make sure that I am just not bored with my 3 stone and that I really want to commit to a halo. The problem is that I don't see too many nice halos in the real world, so I don't know what my reactions are to them when others are wearing them. I know that when I see a huge solitaire on someone else's finger, I do a double-take. Deep down, I am wondering if maybe I have seen various halos, but maybe I never bother to really notice them or do a double-take because I just dismiss them as cocktail rings. Can anyone understand what I mean? Do you guys do a double-take on halos or do you just dismiss them? If you do dismiss them, why? If you don't, why not? I hope I don't offend anyone--I love all settings equally, which is the problem!

 

[Niel]

I know what you mean. As for dismissing halos, i do that as well for two reasons. Where I come from people dont have large stones really, and even more rare is the large stone in a halo. But I do that with large stones in general. I see a large one and my first instinct is that its a cocktail ring. Just because its SO rare around here. (big as in 1.5 + )

with that said mt stone is still in a halo setting

As for your dilemma... Id stop wearing your ring for a week (if you can handle it haha) and then, if when you take it out you still want the halo id say maybe you need a style change, not just that youre tired of your 3 stone

 

[Rhea]

I went to a bridal fair with a friend a few weeks ago and nearly every ring that I saw was a halo. I don't think I either dismiss or particularly notice them. They are nice, not my personal style, but nice. Currently they are very popular so there were a lot of them at the fair - a great place for jewelery spot!

 

[diamondseeker2006]

As a teacher, I can relate to what you are saying. My diamond is also 1.5 cts and I would not have been comfortable with a halo. I sort of think a 3 stone is more timeless. Get a right hand ring with a colored stone and halo!

 

[nala]

Thanks,
I actually have a lot of right hand rings...diamond cocktail, 3-stone sapphire, 3-stone ruby. Sometimes I think that is why I tire of my 3-stone, because of my other 3-stones. I think that the halo craving comes from the desire to jazz up the ring I wear daily and buying a halo for my right hand wouldn't satisfy the craving.

 

[junebug17]

Lately I've been of the mindset that people should just do whatever makes them happy, and not worry about what others think - so if you loved the look of your halo and find yourself missing it, I think you should get another one! Obviously, since you've already had one you know you like the look of it.

You know, when I'm out and about I very rarely see halos - although a younger woman was wearing one at the nail place I go to and I remember thinking it was really pretty - it didn't strike me as looking like a cluster or cocktail ring. I've seen such pretty halos here on PS and especially like the ones with smaller surrounding diamonds - the halo enhances the center stone without overpowering it.

 

[m-2-b]

I happen to like halos a lot if done properly (Victor Canera has done a wonderful job w/ my halo). I have a 3 stone also and prefer to wear it as my primary LHR.

 

[Niel]

Lately I've been of the mindset that people should just do whatever makes them happy, and not worry about what others think - so if you loved the look of your halo and find yourself missing it, I think you should get another one! Obviously, since you've already had one you know you like the look of it.

You know, when I'm out and about I very rarely see halos - although a younger woman was wearing one at the nail place I go to and I remember thinking it was really pretty - it didn't strike me as looking like a cluster or cocktail ring. I've seen such pretty halos here on PS and especially like the ones with smaller surrounding diamonds - the halo enhances the center stone without overpowering it.

Both of your statements are so true! You should do whatever makes you happy. If having a halo makes you happy do it. If having a less flashy ring at work makes you happy then leave it. Go for whichever makes you happiest I guess.

And I guess i was wrong haha, I didnt understand. I think when I see them out and about they look like fashion rings because most people dont have them around here so my first indication is that they didnt get it as an e ring, just picked it up at the store. I guess you mean do they look less elegant? If thats what you mean then no. I think junebug is exactly right, if done right they have a great way of complimenting the stone without overpowering it. Like something bringing your eye in and directing it to the stone.

 

[nala]

Junebug17,
If only it were that easy to know what makes me happy in terms of diamond settings That is the problem...I am trying to gauge how others react to halos because it seems odd to me that I don't really see too many (and considering where I live, I should) or maybe I am just dismissing them.

 

[junebug17]

Junebug17,
If only it were that easy to know what makes me happy in terms of diamond settings That is the problem...I am trying to gauge how others react to halos because it seems odd to me that I don't really see too many (and considering where I live, I should) or maybe I am just dismissing them.

Oh, I understand nala! I'm sorry, I didn't mean to come off as critizing you for asking for opinions - and sometimes getting input from others can help you make a decision. I just got the impression from your post that you really miss having your halo. and I know what you mean about choosing a setting, it's a hard decision! There are so many choices

 

[distracts]

I dismiss most halos right now because they are so common. I know around thirty people irl who've gotten engaged in the past year and a half and all except three have a halo ring. Idk, I am just totally bored by them for diamonds.

 

[Laila619]

I love a good halo. They are so sparkly and pretty! I don't think I'd ever dismiss one.

 

[CopperTop]

Like others have said it can depend on the quality of the halo. Also the proportions play a big factor to me. Anything larger that a petite halo looks like a cocktail ring to me and double halos look like a target. That being said I live in an area where over a carat is noticeably large. I certainly wouldn't say no to a halo on a right hand ring tho!

As for noticing people and judging their tastes I don't think any more or less of someone with a halo.

 

[nala]

It was never my intention to imply that I judge people by their halos. I am only taking a poll or opinions on how people react to the halo rings...not the wearers of the rings. Hope this clarifies.

 

[junebug17]

Oh, and I didn't really answer the question - no, I don't dismiss halos - in fact, when I see one in public it grabs my attention because I don't see them that often! I thought the one I saw at the nail place was really beautiful.

 

[Dougsgirl]

Interesting question...
I think there is a little bit of a generational thing going on here too. I am 39 and have close friends from 33-50, and in "my" age group NO ONE has a halo. I just got my e-ring "upgrade" after almost 19 years of marriage, and I chose a larger stone (1.87 ct AVC) with a very thin, delicate halo. For me, my halo is like a picture frame, accentuating the focal point. But I agree that some halos look like cocktail rings or like they are competing with the center stone.
The only other person I know, IRL, who has a halo, is my 26 year old friend who has been married for 2 years.

I read what Distracts wrote (about them being SO common) and my guess is that she is in the 20-something age group with lots of friends who are currently getting married. When I got married, all of my friends had yellow gold. (And they all still do because NO one, outside of PS, does upgrades! LOL)

So I think you will see a lot more halos in the younger, newly married age group, and much less in the older crowd.

I, personally, love a well-proportioned halo. And though they may be "trendy" right now, it is similar to all the old-fashioned names that are popular right now... it is a classic, timeless style that has made a huge resurgence. It may go out of style, but it will come back again.

Get what you love.

 

[Dreamer_D]

I have never seen a halo style ring on someone's finger in my real life. Ever! So, I neither dismiss them nor notice them!

I am no help with settings because I could never get it right either. But I DO think when you are so stumped on a setting sometimes it means you are stuggling with some other aspect of your ring. Like, a struggle between a desire for a larger diamond than you have and social norms. Or a struggle between wanting flash and being uncomfortable with attention. Or a struggle with how much money was spent, but wanting it anyways. Or something else, those are just some things I have dealt with myself or had friends struggle with. Bling is just fun jewelery, but also laden with meaning and symbolism for many people. And it is also luxury and costs a lot for what it is -- frivolousness.

Anyways, you may not be struggling with any of these things, but its worth considering if you are. I think unless the underlying "bling issue" is sorted out in your own mind it can be really hard to settle on one style and be utterly satisfied.

 

[ame]

I have only recently really started to like a few with plain shank. But my brain could not handle the louping and my eyes absolutely cannot.

 

[chrono]

I see many solitaires in my area, rarely a 3 stone or a halo. To keep things interesting, I make every attempt to have each ring differ from each other's design. One is a halo, one antique, one solitaire, one bezel, one 3 stone, you get the idea.

 

[MissGotRocks]

I only know three people in real life that have halos so while they seem to be pretty popular here, not so much in real life in my world. I don't dismiss them but I do appreciate one being done really well with nice proportions.

 

[Gypsy]

I just don't see that many halos. when I do I note it. But the same way I note if someone has a round, or a three stone. It's just a detail.

I think you should wear what you love. You can't control people's reactions, their insecurities, or their issues. And trying to do so only leads to the crazies. There are people out there that will have snide thoughts if your ring is too small, if it's too big, if it's a halo, if it's a three stone... there is no 'perfect' for them. So why bother spending time on their reactions?

If you miss your halo, get another.

 

[nala]

I want to clarify that I am not asking for advice about whether I should go back to a halo…I realize that only I know the answer to that. What I am particularly appreciating about this discussion forum and this question is reading about others’ reactions to halo rings, not because I am afraid of how they will react to my halo (should I ever get one), but rather, to see if their behavior can shed light on my own reactions. I find it hard to believe that I rarely see halos, especially in my city… so lately I have begun to wonder if maybe I just don’t notice them because my eyes are not drawn to them, yet I am very aware that my eyes are always drawn to a big stone.
Although, I think that everyone here on pricescope, especially people who post their rings on ”Show Me the Bling” (and not just “crazies”), do to a certain extent, care about others’ reactions...otherwise, why share pictures?

 

[CharmyPoo]

In the past few years, I think 35% of my friends have gotten engaged with halo rings. I may be biased but their halos are very chunky and look like a cocktail ring. My halo is far more delicate and just looks right (ok ok ... I am biased). With that said, the ones that have seen my halo ring did comment that it was so much nicer than their own and wanted to change theirs (this sounds awful doesn't it?).

 

[HopeDream]

Halos are just so trendy right now that I tend to dismiss them a bit just because it's a trend.

I love a well-crafted halo that really frames a stone nicely, but most of the halos I see on the train are generic and blocky-looking maul settings with matching wedding bands. "How many diamonds can I get on this ring for under 2k? "
They look really over-done for what they are - eg. 2ct tw, but the largest stone present is .45 ct. Some are even those illusion multi-stone settings (Not to my personal taste) .

It's like they only have a halo ring to keep up with the Joneses, and not for the way it looks .

If I saw a realy nice halo it would probably turn my head, but so far....nada.

 

[distracts]

I read what Distracts wrote (about them being SO common) and my guess is that she is in the 20-something age group with lots of friends who are currently getting married. When I got married, all of my friends had yellow gold. (And they all still do because NO one, outside of PS, does upgrades! LOL)

So I think you will see a lot more halos in the younger, newly married age group, and much less in the older crowd.

Yep... nailed it. In the just-getting-engaged group, pretty much every ring is a halo. I swear I see a new one posted every day on my facebook page. Most are not as pretty as the ones on PS! When I worked at a designer store at the mall last year though I also saw a whole lot of them on older, wealthier women who likely could buy whatever ring they desired at any moment... also most not as pretty as the ones on PS - though a few Harry Winstons and other designer rings that were wonderful. However, the upper-middle-class clients were far less likely to have them than the superrich ones. Which reinforces the notion, I think, that it's a trend.

 

[Mayk]

I think they are interesting because they are all SO different... bezels, not, smaller stones, larger stones, colored diamonds (the halo on here with pink diamonds is AMAZING).... I think some do a very nice job of enhancing the diamond and then I have seen halos (not really pictured on PS but in real life) where the halo over shawdows the center diamond.

I think a halo is noticed when it is created for the diamond to enhance it.. I don't think I dismiss them. I think I study them and then in my evil PS evaluation style decide if I like the ring or not so much...

 

[smitcompton]

Hi,

Nala, i voted #3, as I love a nice halo around a diamond. QVC or HSN have a number of selections(not real diamonds) from designers like Tacori or others where you could test out which type of setting you really like better. I purchased an approx 2 ct ring in a round halo, which is really beautiful. Honestly, everyone remarks on it. Its great to test out what you like without having the expense of trial and error.

My next is a cushion cut. If this is not allowed on the forum, please remove. I do think its helpful.

Annette

 

[emcee]

I think halos are absolutely gorgeous. I'm in the 20-something age group and I know dozens of girls who have gotten engaged in the last few years. I only know one girl in real life who has a halo ring and the overwhelming majority of my friends (and strangers) all have solitaires. I don't think halos are just a trend though. They're such a classic look that I think they will look timeless and gorgeous for decades to come.

I definitely understand your concern that halos can be a bit flashy. I'm currently designing my e-ring and the center stone is a 3ct sapphire, yet I still really want to set it in a halo. Like what the other PSers are saying, I've decided not to worry about what other people think. If it makes you happy, go for it!

 

[chicam]

I just don't like halos.

 

[cookies]

I don't care for regular halos. But I do like clusters a lot.