Tell me everything about halos

[Peepa]

So I’ve decided not to upgrade and to get a halo instead. I’ve been to several SF Bay Area jewelers and first need to know all the options to think of with halos and if anyone can recommend a jeweler to do custom work.

I would be keeping my original setting and getting a new platinum halo head.

I want a very low set cushion halo (no airline) around a princess cut stone.

Feeling quite overwhelmed and unsure on the jeweler as well. ALL advice welcome. TIA!

 

[Acinom]

What is your budget? I would advise contacting David Klass to see if he wants to do it.

 

[Octo2005]

I maybe incorrect, but I don't think that they can just swap out the head to make it a halo. The halo portion is part of the ring, not just sitting on top. I would think that a fair amount of reworking would be required to add a halo and it might be more cost effective to just buy a new setting. I would be very leary of a jeweler that claims that they can make this a cohesive seamless setting for you by just swapping out the head. Can you post pics of your current setting?

Best of luck with your new ring.

 

[tyty333]

Ditto Acinom...I would contact David Klass. Can you post pictures of your e-ring. If it is just a plain shank than it should be doable but I would want
someone that has created quite a few pieces (like David Klass).

You dont have to have this type of halo but this is how a halo looks that just sits on top of the shank
https://www.whiteflash.com/engagement-rings/solitaire/guinevere-solitaire-engagement-ring-180.htm

 

[Peepa]

It’s similar to this: https://www.whiteflash.com/engageme...olitaire-engagement-ring-for-princess-428.htm

 

[Acinom]

Not sure if it’s feasible in your case as the prongs originate from the shank instead of sitting on top as in @tyty333 ‘s example. It might be cheaper and more cohesive to have a new ring made instead of reworking it. But if anyone can do it, it’s probably David Klass.

 

[FancyDiamond]

I agree with others that it is better to have a new ring made than modifying the head. The modification can be too involved that any savings may be too small to bother.
Can't help but taking one step back to think about the halo option. I have seen many gorgeous haloed cushion cut diamonds, but I am not sure if the same beautiful effect can be achieved with a princess cut. To me, a princess cut is more suitable for a simple, elegant solitaire setting.
Wonder if you are better off using the new setting fund towards your budget for a larger diamond? I know you decided against the stone upgrade previously. The halo alternative may not save you as much money as you think.
What is the size of your current diamond? The size of the melees for best proportion will limit the size of the haloed stone. Hate to see you wanting to upgrade again when DSS sinks in quickly.

 

[tyty333]

What are you planning for the "corners" of your halo? Rounded, squared off?

There are a couple of halos for princess cuts on James Allen that you might take a look at (I'm not really sure what you're looking for).
https://www.jamesallen.com/engageme...nd-engagement-ring-princess-center-item-17453

If you really want a different look...
https://www.jamesallen.com/engagement-rings/halo/14k-white-gold-magnolia-engagment-ring-item-59118

 

[Peepa]

It’s currently .94 and my budget is up to 5k. When will I see a noticeable size difference?

 

[SimoneDi]

It’s currently .94 and my budget is up to 5k. When will I see a noticeable size difference?

You have a very healthy budget. I would contact David Klass as others have said and also consider Victor Canera. He creates beautiful halos, but his work is more expensive. I would get a new setting altogether.

 

[AdaBeta27]

PS rough rule of thumb re. upgrades is a 10% increase in face-up size is where a worthwhile upgrade starts. Of course, an extremely well-cut diamond will perform better than an average or fair cut, so it's possible to not increase the actual surface area of a stone, yet get one that appears larger because it performs better. Face-up size is surface area. In the case of square diamonds, its L x W.

Stuller.com has peg head halos that can replace just about any peg head. But you may not like the look of that. The halo is going to be perched right on top of that shank, not integrated with it.
https://www.stuller.com/products/29454/?groupId=195227

They have other shapes. Take a look. Of course, David Klass or someone else could also fashion a replacement head, too. That particular Stuller example is a bit crudely made and would never be mistaken for, say, Victor Canera's work, haha.

Metro, years ago now, had a halo added to her original e-ring. But hers had a cathedral shank. A new plain shank won't cost a whole lot, and this look you might like.
https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/my-re-designed-ering-halo-style.53602/

 

[AdaBeta27]

Then later, she got a .93ct RB stone and had a bigger head made in essentially the same style. https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/finally-made-up-my-mind-and-reset-my-diamond.81609/