Is this too big for a Halo engagement ring?

[Member23]

Hey Everyone,

So I recently created a post regarding a Halo engagement ring, but was confused on the terminology in addition to the jeweler providing insufficient CAD details. I'm looking to buy an engagement ring and found a round brilliant diamond with a 6.5mm diameter (1.06ct). The band is going to contain stones as well. From what I've read and others mentioned, the band should ideally be 2.0mm due to pave. Initially, he wanted to do 1.3mm stones on a 1.5mm band which I didn't agree with, then I mentioned 1.5mm stones, which he said would be on a 1.7mm band width. I asked whether 1.8mm stones on a 2.0mm band width would be ok, but he gets agitated each time I ask a question (The NYC diamond district is stressful). Do you guys think 1.8mm stones on the sides of the band and surrounding the center diamond, which is 1.06ct and has a diameter of 6.5mm, would look aesthetically pleasing and stable?

For reference, my girlfriend's ring size is 6.

Attached are the recent CADs.

 

[mrsctobe]

That's going to look big! If it were me I would reduce the size of the diamonds on the halo itself, so the center stone pops more.

 

[Member23]

That's going to look big! If it were me I would reduce the size of the diamonds on the halo itself, so the center stone pops more.

I took your advice and requested a 2.0mm band width! What size would you recommend for the diamonds surrounding the diamond? As for the band, do you think the 1.8mm are fine?

 

[tyty333]

IMO the stones in the halo should be smaller (the shank pave should stay at 1.8mm).

 

[peacechick]

I personally don’t like the stones in the halo to look too big as I feel that they end up merging into the main diamond like a cluster ring rather than acting as a frame. Since your diamond is 1 ct approx, I actually prefer the original suggestion of 1.3, but that’s just me. The bigger the melee, the higher the cost, also.

 

[Member23]

I personally don’t like the stones in the halo to look too big as I feel that they end up merging into the main diamond like a cluster ring rather than acting as a frame. Since your diamond is 1 ct approx, I actually prefer the original suggestion of 1.3, but that’s just me. The bigger the melee, the higher the cost, also.

The only issue with 1.3mm is that the band would be a lot thinner. I prefer to have something wider providing strength and stability, hence wanting 2.0mm. Would it be weird if the side diamonds were 1.8mm and the surrounding halo 1.3/1.5mm?

 

[Member23]

IMO the stones in the halo should be smaller (the shank pave should stay at 1.8mm).

Do you think the stones in the halo should be 1.5mm/1.3mm? Would it not look uneven? I apologize for my questions, I do not have experience regarding settings haha.

 

[tyty333]

I think they should be 1.5mm. Uneven? The halo will look smaller than the size of the shank. IMO its a decision between consistency of the size of stones that are used (shank and halo) or going with bigger stones on the shank to get a stronger halo.

I thought you had already decided you wanted a thicker shank and understood that the halo pave would be smaller.

Edit...this is not a round halo so you have to use your imagination but these are 1.5mm stones

 

[foxinsox]

Do you think the stones in the halo should be 1.5mm/1.3mm? Would it not look uneven? I apologize for my questions, I do not have experience regarding settings haha.

It won’t look uneven to have the halo and shank melee be different sizes. Your comment that he gets agitated when you ask questions worried me tho - have you worked with this jeweller before and seen examples of his pave work?

 

[tyty333]

These are 1.3mm stones but on a 1.3 carat stones (2.6ctw). The thread is here:

2.63ctw WF ACA Diamonds in DK halo earring setting

DK just sent me these pics and video today, they look gorgeous...I was trying to decide if I want the diamonds a wee bit tighter but this may be as tight as they can get with the size I wanted and they look fantastic. I chose 1.3mm diamonds in the halo because I wanted a delicate look. I had a...

www.pricescope.com

 

[msop04]

It won’t look uneven to have the halo and shank melee be different sizes. Your comment that he gets agitated when you ask questions worried me tho - have you worked with this jeweller before and seen examples of his pave work?

I agree... it sounds like this jeweler doesn't understand that the halo can be smaller than the shank. I'd definitely want to see his work to verify that he has indeed made this same ring MANY times, and his execution is consistent and to your liking.

If it were me, I'd call David Klass. He does amazing work at a very fair price.

 

[tyty333]

It won’t look uneven to have the halo and shank melee be different sizes. Your comment that he gets agitated when you ask questions worried me tho - have you worked with this jeweller before and seen examples of his pave work?

It's Alex Park (or is it Parks?) He bought the stone from him. Unfortunately, Alex is light on patience from what I understand.

 

[Member23]

It won’t look uneven to have the halo and shank melee be different sizes. Your comment that he gets agitated when you ask questions worried me tho - have you worked with this jeweller before and seen examples of his pave work?

No, I haven’t. This is my first time working with him and read some phenomenal reviews on here, but it’s annoying. I ask for advice or opinions, and it’s a problem, that’s why I’m on here lol.

 

[Member23]

I think they should be 1.5mm. Uneven? The halo will look smaller than the size of the shank. IMO its a decision between consistency of the size of stones that are used (shank and halo) or going with bigger stones on the shank to get a stronger halo.

I thought you had already decided you wanted a thicker shank and understood that the halo pave would be smaller.

Edit...this is not a round halo so you have to use your imagination but these are 1.5mm stones

Unfortunately, this is why I’m on this forum. When I ask him for opinions or advice, he gets pissed off.

Based on the recommendations, since I will have a halo with diamonds on the shank, the band width is supposed to be at least 2.0mm. I don’t like the thin look of 1.7 or below. I also don’t want the carat to look clustered or small. Hence, I would love any opinions or advice I can get!

 

[Member23]

It's Alex Park (or is it Parks?) He bought the stone from him. Unfortunately, Alex is light on patience from what I understand.

Very lol.

 

[kb1gra]

I’d just take the stone from Alex and get a ring elsewhere if you are this conflicted about the size/structure of the piece.

For better or for worse Alex is a diamond dealer first and makes settings as a service for the people who buy stones from him - but for the inexperienced it is probably better to pay the fee for the CAD work he’s done and go work with someone who will interact with you a bit more.

 

[allycat0303]

Hi Member23,

I feel like I went through this whole process with my original engagement ring.

My band was 2 mm, Leon Mege refused to make it smaller. It is triple sided pave. My halo was 1.2 mm to accommodate for smaller center stone (7.03 mm), allows center stone to be the star.

If you are set on 2MM band, I would ask for the halo to be as thin as possible and leave it at that. I don’t think my current engagement ring looks lopsided or weird even though the band and halo are different size.

Band width can be smaller if single sided pave (and you want it to be) my upgrade is 1.5 mm for the band (also made by Leon). Halo, I’m not sure. I told him to make it as small as possible. So if true to my original engagement ring, probably will be 1.2-1.3 mm.

 

[Nymf]

I would have a look on pintrest to see what you like. Alex is very easy to work with if you know what you want, try and find a picture of your dream ring to show him!

 

[Member23]

I would have a look on pintrest to see what you like. Alex is very easy to work with if you know what you want, try and find a picture of your dream ring to show him!

I showed him a picture, sent it to him, he sent me a CAD back. The CAD didn't have detailed information. I asked him questions and he got pissed off haha. I don't know anything about settings and this is a big purchase so do not want to make any silly mistakes.

 

[Member23]

Hi Member23,

I feel like I went through this whole process with my original engagement ring.

My band was 2 mm, Leon Mege refused to make it smaller. It is triple sided pave. My halo was 1.2 mm to accommodate for smaller center stone (7.03 mm), allows center stone to be the star.

If you are set on 2MM band, I would ask for the halo to be as thin as possible and leave it at that. I don’t think my current engagement ring looks lopsided or weird even though the band and halo are different size.

Band width can be smaller if single sided pave (and you want it to be) my upgrade is 1.5 mm for the band (also made by Leon). Halo, I’m not sure. I told him to make it as small as possible. So if true to my original engagement ring, probably will be 1.2-1.3 mm.

Would you mind sharing a picture by any chance? I would love to see how it looks.

 

[allycat0303]

Sure. I’m lazy. The original pic was posted on pricescope many years ago. I don’t wear the ring anymore so don’t have many pics

 

[allycat0303]

 

[mrsctobe]

Bad service is reason to look elsewhere, in my opinion! I almost got a setting from a super reputable, pricescope-recommended company (where I bought my diamond), but decided to look elswhere because I felt that I got a much different experience from all other members here.

That being said, the stones in your Halo should defintely be smaller. Remember that any stones along the shank or halo will take away from the size of your center and make it look smaller. Its why I prefer a solitaire on plain setting.

 

[junebug17]

@Member23, I think you should be fine going with smaller melee in the halo. I have a halo with a pave band and the halo stones are smaller than the band and imo it looks fine. The halo stones are just enough to give a little oomph to the center stone.

 

[Aninin]

Unpopular opinion but I personally love bigger halos. The tiny diamonds are so small they don't have much sparkle to them from what I've seen. I'll attach mine so you can have an idea of what it'd look like on. My center stone is 5.5mm wide with .1 carat stones on the halo, not sure of the mm measurement of those stones though. The band is 2mm wide and those stones are smaller than the ones in the halo. Size 5.5 finger.

 

[MillieLou]

@allycat0303 your ring is beautiful! Can I ask why you don't wear it any more? Just curious - is it a comfort thing or don't you like the aesthetic any more?

 

[allycat0303]

@allycat0303 your ring is beautiful! Can I ask why you don't wear it any more? Just curious - is it a comfort thing or don't you like the aesthetic any more?

I stopped wearing it because it got a bit too big and I didn’t want to have it sized. We had it sized in beginning with issues. And then I had a bit of DSS (diamond shrinkage syndrome) so just never got back into the habit.

My husband is having Leon make me an upgrade which is a variation on this theme, so it’s not the aesthetic. It will just be less fancy (this one is all 3 sided pave with miligrain)… has I think a vintage feel to it? My upgrade won’t…. At least from what I know.

 

[WillyDiamond]

OP

First congrats on your upcoming engagement.

As I have said in other posts when talking about halo’s, I think the center stone should be the star, the main attraction, and the halo stones are the side-show. If the halo stones are too large, it detracts from the main attraction.

I do not think you would have this problem of deciding on size of the halo stones if you worked with different vendors. Some of the popular ones are Victor Canera, Steven Kirsch, and Brilliantly Engaged. The latter 2 are in the diamond district in NYC and VC is in LA. IMO, your project is too important and expensive to take guff and attitude from someone. If Parks was giving you a hard time I would move on. Did you buy the center stone from him? I am a little confused, do you already have it in your possession?
There is one other point I wanted to bring up. Why 14K gold, not 18K or in fact Platinum. Plat will give you the least maintenance down the road and I personally like Plat, just my 2 cents on that.

My wife’s setting/halo was really left to the jeweler for the right size and balance. I know that people who have also worked with VC, SK and BE have for the most part left it up to them to properly size the halo stones, of course with your input. The halo stones on my wife’s ring are 1 pointers, at least I think so. And they narrow down on the shank.

OP, take a look at the Emilya setting on the VC website. Many of the rings that fellows PSers have posted are off shoots of that style. I know my wife’s is.

Good luck on your project.

 

[luckygreen317]

Congratulations!
I have worn a halo solitaire as daily wear for several years. I would recommend a thicker band, this helps keep the ring from being too top heavy. I ended up adding a split shank band to my halo for balance.

I personally love micro-pave’ as this enhances the center stone. However, if you are looking to increase overall finger coverage, larger stones in the halo makes sense.

In response to the CADS, the halo seems to be sitting 2.9 MM high on the finger? Is it being designed to sit that high to have a band sit flush against the engagement ring? If not, I personally would recommend setting it a little lower. There seems to be quite a bit if room between the cutlet and the base of the setting. This helps the halo stay centered on the finger.

Based on your current experience, I personally would purchase the diamond and move on. The ring design is so important and would recommend working with a jewelry designer. There are so many little but important details that can change the look of a ring. I have worked with David Klass (in Los Angeles) on 2 projects and besides being very patient and responsive, his quality of work is impeccable.

 

[luckygreen317]

I’d just take the stone from Alex and get a ring elsewhere if you are this conflicted about the size/structure of the piece.

For better or for worse Alex is a diamond dealer first and makes settings as a service for the people who buy stones from him - but for the inexperienced it is probably better to pay the fee for the CAD work he’s done and go work with someone who will interact with you a bit more.

I agree, buy the stone and work with a jewelry designer. I highly recommend David Klass.