Halo Vs Solitare

[GlitzandGlam2008]

Hi all so I am kinda new to posting.. I follow the boards pretty often and go gaga over all the gorgeous rings! It is safe to say I think its time for me to start looking.. I really love the Harry winston the one engagement halo ring but its way to expensive.
I know alot of you have used steven kirsch or others to do a great imitation.
I am now also exploring the option of a round 6 prong solitare with small pave diamonds halfway on the sides on the band. I figure I could have a bigger ct size for maybe less money or about the same.

I have tried on halos with 1-1.5 ct center stone
I like almost a 2ct round center for solitare

budget is anywere from 3,000 to 12,000 ... I really dont want my boyfriend to spend a fortune my cousin has a little over a 1.5 solitaire round engagement ring and it was around 5-6,000 at most, and its gorgeous.. so any advice, or places, or names of jewlers in NY area I appreicate all advice as you can see I am new to this !!!

 

[SB621]

Contact ERD (engagment rings direct) in NYC. They do a very inexpensive version of the HW The One ring. They should also be able to source a diamond for you. If you are on a budget then you can also contact IDJ as well.

You really need to sit down with your boyfriend and figure out a budget. 3-12k is sort of a large gap. I personally don't believe in financing a ring. I do however believe in upgrades and dress changes through the years. Perhaps you can get a 1ct solitare now and then on your 5 year anniversary you can upgrade it closer to 2cts or get a HW inspired halo then. Regardless I would sit down and talk to him about what a realistic budget you are both comfortable with.

 

[TC1987]

I don't know what kind of 1.5ct complete ring they got for only $5000-$6000. You could buy some large-diameter estate diamonds in the J/K color range for that but they were older cuts or shallow diamonds with large tables, etc, and not the top cut grade now. But $3000 is a good ballpark price for a .8ct H&A RB in the near-colorless range, without the setting. Pricescope focuses on the best cut diamonds.

Maybe $8500 -$8600 and up for a 1.5ct SI2 stone in the I color range.

It depends how low on the color scale or the clarity scale you are willing to get size and still have a top-grade cut and make it fit the budget. Those pave halo rings in platinum from Leon or Victor or Steven K seem to be running in the $5000-$6000 range.

ID Jewelry and B2C Jewels have been helping people with the tight budgets.

 

[Christina...]

Unfortunately, I think that your expectations may not be realistic. Even a well cut 1.5 K SI2 will run you at least $7k, and as TC already mentioned, a completely hand forged halo can cost another $5k. I assume that you are looking for a round brilliant? Fancy cuts typically cost a bit less and cuts like an oval, pear and marquis tend to face up larger for their ct weight, so if a large looking stone is what you are hoping for, then these may be options. You might want to consider antique cuts as well. They are very popular right now and sell for a bit less than modern cuts, though that appears to be changing and a premium is quickly being added. If you really want a halo, then I would consider a quality stock piece instead of hand forged or branded options. A solitaire is always classic as well, and can be upgraded to the perfect setting on a special anniversary or occasion.

I second the suggestion that you and your bf have a realistic discussion about the budget and what you both hope to accomplish with it. Once you have determined exactly what that budget is, come back and let us know. There are some amazing PSers that come up with some incredible deals, especially if you are open to the secondary market. I'm sure that we can help you find exactly what you are looking for.

 

[TC1987]

I.D. Jewelry has gotten some nice large diamonds within the price ranges you quoted, though. There was a really nice L color RB but I can't find the thread for it. And there have been few J/K in the 1.75 - 1.9ct range, too. You could always get a solitaire now and your dream setting later.

 

[momhappy]

Hi all so I am kinda new to posting.. I follow the boards pretty often and go gaga over all the gorgeous rings! It is safe to say I think its time for me to start looking.. I really love the Harry winston the one engagement halo ring but its way to expensive.
I know alot of you have used steven kirsch or others to do a great imitation.
I am now also exploring the option of a round 6 prong solitare with small pave diamonds halfway on the sides on the band. I figure I could have a bigger ct size for maybe less money or about the same.

I have tried on halos with 1-1.5 ct center stone
I like almost a 2ct round center for solitare

budget is anywere from 3,000 to 12,000 ... I really dont want my boyfriend to spend a fortune my cousin has a little over a 1.5 solitaire round engagement ring and it was around 5-6,000 at most, and its gorgeous.. so any advice, or places, or names of jewlers in NY area I appreicate all advice as you can see I am new to this !!!

I wouldn't exactly call other halos "imitations." Lots of jewelers make halos and they all have their own, unique style. Sure SK's work is lovely, but there are other jewelers that do lovely halos too.
I also have to agree that your budget might be unrealistic.

 

[msop04]

Hi all so I am kinda new to posting.. I follow the boards pretty often and go gaga over all the gorgeous rings! It is safe to say I think its time for me to start looking.. I really love the Harry winston the one engagement halo ring but its way to expensive.
I know alot of you have used steven kirsch or others to do a great imitation.
I am now also exploring the option of a round 6 prong solitare with small pave diamonds halfway on the sides on the band. I figure I could have a bigger ct size for maybe less money or about the same.

I have tried on halos with 1-1.5 ct center stone
I like almost a 2ct round center for solitare

budget is anywere from 3,000 to 12,000 ... I really dont want my boyfriend to spend a fortune my cousin has a little over a 1.5 solitaire round engagement ring and it was around 5-6,000 at most, and its gorgeous.. so any advice, or places, or names of jewlers in NY area I appreicate all advice as you can see I am new to this !!!

Hi G&G! Like you, I had trouble deciding between a halo and a six prong solitaire setting. They are both beautiful and it's really about personal preference. However, if it's the overall "look" you're after, a halo is the way to go, IMHO.

I don't think you could have a larger carat size (that's noticable, anyway...) for the same price unless you sacrifice in cut, color, clarity -- or a combination of the above... And you would certainly not spend less money on a larger stone than on a halo.

 

[msop04]

Another thought... have you tried on both styles?

My SA asked me to try on each and casually walk by a mirror to see which one I liked better. Turned out that my 2.4 ct with a delicate halo looked larger than the THREE CARAT solitaire set in a six prong. Sold!

I'm excited to see which one you will choose!

 

[teobdl]

For me, it's more impressive to see a large stone that you know isn't tricking you than to a see a large stone that might be tricking you with a halo. In any case, if you're getting a really nice diamond, I wouldn't put it in anything less than the highest quality setting.

 

[msop04]

For me, it's more impressive to see a large stone that you know isn't tricking you than to a see a large stone that might be tricking you with a halo. In any case, if you're getting a really nice diamond, I wouldn't put it in anything less than the highest quality setting.

I agree, teobdl! Who would turn down a huge rock??!! (not this size whore!!! ) Personally, I'd love to have a whopping 4 carat solitaire! {pause for daydreaming...}

However, sometimes budgets will not allow for a larger (read: more expensive) stone. Some prefer the look of a halo for that extra little "bling" to the ring -- so it's not necessarily someone trying to "trick" people into thinking theirs is a larger stone, sometimes it's just a preference. Different strokes, ya know?

I think it's most important to go for the look that speaks to you, not others. Maybe I'm wrong, but it seemed like the OP may be interested in size, as in "overall look."

 

[momhappy]

When I was longing for a halo, never once did I think about it in terms of "tricking" people into thinking my diamond was larger. For me, it was all about the setting itself. Most of the halos that I have seen have not been in real life, but actually on the fingers of celebrities. This has made me curious though, do most people like and/or buy halos because they want their diamonds to appear larger or do they buy halo settings simply because they like the style?

 

[WillyDiamond]

For me, it's more impressive to see a large stone that you know isn't tricking you than to a see a large stone that might be tricking you with a halo. In any case, if you're getting a really nice diamond, I wouldn't put it in anything less than the highest quality setting.

What are you talking about?

 

[Roxy]

When I was longing for a halo, never once did I think about it in terms of "tricking" people into thinking my diamond was larger. For me, it was all about the setting itself. Most of the halos that I have seen have not been in real life, but actually on the fingers of celebrities. This has made me curious though, do most people like and/or buy halos because they want their diamonds to appear larger or do they buy halo settings simply because they like the style?

MH, some of my friends have been asking me the same thing!

I've been sending people to PS to research stones and settings and I've always thought that halos are beautiful because of their style so I often suggest them. However, after reading a lot of what's written here on PS, my girlfriends have pointed out that many posters write about wanting halos because they make their center stones look larger. There are even threads with side-by-side comparison shots where some posters have pointed out what they call an "optical illusion" (resulting in the appearance of a larger center stone) that can be achieved by adding a halo.

Two of my friends are now reconsidering going with halos for that reason (which I think is a little silly, but it's their choice to make). Since I think halos look gorgeous, I'd never paid much attention to the idea that the diamond would look larger, but if it does I think that's a great added "perk". I guess we'd need halo owners to weigh in w/ their opinions though right?

 

[braga123]

I decided to go halo bc I never felt my stone was ideal cut or perfect on its own, and the halo really ENHANCED the overall look so that my average stone looks way better with a halo....and trust me, I tried about 12 different settings...solitaire, 3 stone, you name it....I do love that I can see my 1.5 carat halo from a mile away, but that was NOT my intention..I used to think that that was the reason many went halo until I started to appreciate the intricacy and the details that go into the halo setting.

 

[TC1987]

For me, it's more impressive to see a large stone that you know isn't tricking you than to a see a large stone that might be tricking you with a halo. In any case, if you're getting a really nice diamond, I wouldn't put it in anything less than the highest quality setting.

Key words: For You. If you don't like halos, then they are not for you. But other people like them, so don't knock the style, or other people's choices. I can maybe see the case where some man buys a halo diamond e-ring for a very naive woman and tries to pass off a 1ct as a 2ct or something as "tricking." But the rest of us just like the look, and the halo making the diamond look bigger (at a glance, at a distance, to a casual observer,) is just an added benefit. I don't choose my rings to impress other people. I choose them because I like them. The best diamond I have isn't in the highest quality setting, either. And nobody notices or complains.

 

[momhappy]

I guess that it's just something that ever occurred to me until someone mentioned it after I actually got my halo (that it made my diamond look bigger). Since I am petite, and my diamond is a carat and a half, I already think that my diamond looks huge on me. I've never thought of the halo as tricking people into thinking I have a giant diamond. If that was truly the case then how would you explain the celebrity obsession with halos? Their diamonds are (typically) already huge and I seriously doubt that their main goal is trick people into thinking that they are even bigger

 

[teobdl]

Hey now, I'm not sure how my words got twisted to make it sound like I was knocking halos or people who like halos. I, in fact, love the look.

The original poster had tried on two options: bigger stone as a solitaire or smaller stone in a halo (hence the title: Halo Vs Solitaire). Price was a consideration, and like all jewelry, so is overall effect (of which size/finger coverage plays a very important factor). My bottom line advice was go for a high quality setting for a nice diamond (note that I didn't specify style, just quality). My much-maligned point was that if you're looking for overall effect, a larger diamond (2 ct) is more impressive for my eyes than a smaller diamond (1-1.5) with a halo. That's it. And that's why I said "for me."

When I said "trick," people misunderstood me to suggest that wearers of halo's are maliciously deceiving others or something strange like that. I was simply pointing out the phenomenon that a halo makes a diamond look bigger... in other words, it "tricks" the observer into thinking a diamond is bigger. There are many threads on PS in which dozens of posters agreed with that observation. In fact, Danny Gavin--probably some relation to Brian Gavin--said the very same thing in a post last year: "The halo setting tricks the eye into believing that the diamond is bigger than it actually is." http://www.briangavindiamonds.com/news/buy-a-halo-setting-for-your-diamond/

And if you're uncomfortable with the word trick, how about "creates the illusion." Here is a statement that would be hard to disagree with: well-done halos tend to create the illusion that a diamond is bigger than it is.

The rest is a matter of preference...

 

[Jumpin_Jacks]

As echoed by many here, it's totally personal preference! Halo just wasn't for me, since I'm a more classic traditional type for my everyday jewelry (I wear very little) and halos are more "trendy" (as in gaining in popularity lately) these days and fits with the vintage vibe.

Don't get me wrong, halos are gorgeous, and my bf has a dynamite one. But I didn't go total plain solitaire ring with unadorned band, my band will have pave with milgrain edge, 2mm. So I blended some band bling, and vintage with a plain center stone. Try them both on at a local jeweler and determine which you'd be happier wearing regularly. Both of your options sound fantastic!

Do try to narrow down the range (if you haven't) I believe getting a halo *might* be slightly cheaper than getting a larger, excellent cut stone since they price does jump when you get into certain ranges.... You can use this as a guide: https://www.pricescope.com/diamond-prices/round

 

[momhappy]

Hey now, I'm not sure how my words got twisted to make it sound like I was knocking halos or people who like halos. I, in fact, love the look.

The original poster had tried on two options: bigger stone as a solitaire or smaller stone in a halo (hence the title: Halo Vs Solitaire). Price was a consideration, and like all jewelry, so is overall effect (of which size/finger coverage plays a very important factor). My bottom line advice was go for a high quality setting for a nice diamond (note that I didn't specify style, just quality). My much-maligned point was that if you're looking for overall effect, a larger diamond (2 ct) is more impressive for my eyes than a smaller diamond (1-1.5) with a halo. That's it. And that's why I said "for me."

When I said "trick," people misunderstood me to suggest that wearers of halo's are maliciously deceiving others or something strange like that. I was simply pointing out the phenomenon that a halo makes a diamond look bigger... in other words, it "tricks" the observer into thinking a diamond is bigger. There are many threads on PS in which dozens of posters agreed with that observation. In fact, Danny Gavin--probably some relation to Brian Gavin--said the very same thing in a post last year: "The halo setting tricks the eye into believing that the diamond is bigger than it actually is." http://www.briangavindiamonds.com/news/buy-a-halo-setting-for-your-diamond/

And if you're uncomfortable with the word trick, how about "creates the illusion." Here is a statement that would be hard to disagree with: well-done halos tend to create the illusion that a diamond is bigger than it is.

The rest is a matter of preference...

Yes, it was definitely your use of the word "tricking." That term is defined as an act that is achieved by deceptive/fraudulent means and while I'm sure that there are some people who buy halos to make their diamonds appear larger, many of us simply like the style itself. I have owned a halo and a solitaire and both of the settings appealed to me in different ways, but I just thought the halo was pretty and it was not meant to "deceive" any one.
I understood what you were saying though and I agree that it really boils down to a matter of preference