What is the appeal of halos?

[kindred]

I love the look of a cushion shaped halo with a round diamond for the exact same reasons that @msop04 posted. I also like that they can offer protection for a center stone. And I love the twinkly light from all of those tiny little diamonds.

@ChristineRose, that was an interesting history lesson. I am also wondering what you think the next trend may be in diamond rings, especially engagement rings.

 

[ChristineRose]

Elaborate settings with curves and loops, offbeat stone shapes, high tech cuts (like the Octavia) that are tweaked for light performance, unusual colors. Try Brides Magazine or Etsy! Not that most can afford those fancy rings but eventually styles filter down to the rest of us.

 

[Un_Petit_Rayon_de_Soleil]

I don't think it's about making the center look larger all the time. Some halos have a lot of personality. I did a halo for the geometric shape and as a frame .

 

[JPie]

When I hear "halo" I think of a diamond surrounded by either one or two rows of much smaller diamonds. The focus is obviously the center stone and the halo is like the window dressing:


When the center and surrounding stones are closer in size, I think of the style as a cluster and not a halo.


Then there are rings like HS4S_2's above where I don't even think of the surrounding stones as a halo. I'm not sure what I would call it aside from beautiful.

Anyway, I could see how halos like the ones in the first three pics must be boring the fashionistas to tears, but where would they be if they didn't have a style to declare over and dead?

 

[Bron357]

Sometimes people choose halos to make the overall look bigger but many use a halo as a frame and as an additional design element. A diamond halo around a coloured gem can really help enhance and focus the eye.
My favourite type of “halo” is where different shaped gems are used or where the shape of the centre gem is contrasted with an alternate shaped halo. Art Deco rings are excellent examples of this style.

 

[Matthews1127]

I don't think it's about making the center look larger all the time. Some halos have a lot of personality. I did a halo for the geometric shape and as a frame .

I don’t consider this ring a halo design. I consider it more of a frame style. It’s one of my top faves on PS, though!! LOOOOVVVEEE IT!!!

Most already know I’m not a halo fan. Not unless it’s delicate & MINIMAL. I feel the same way about bezels: delicate & refined. Nothing that obstructs Light, ESPECIALLY against a step cut diamond!!

Some jewelers can knock out the perfect bezel or halo design around a rose cut or step cut stone, and others can easily destroy them. Unless you have an artistic craftsman, who understands lines, refinement & light exposure of different cuts, leave the diamond alone!

@-Asscher- ‘s CvB ID Jessica is a prime example of an amazingly executed bezel design around a sqEC. That custom piece made the top of my faves list, as well! I can’t even imagine that stone in another setting!! It’s perfect, and the sqEC is so bright, and bold in that bezel! It’s a true work of art!

@ILikeShiny ‘s beautiful mixed metal Asscher ER also stands out, and is a beautiful, blended masterpiece!

My fave combo of Center & halo is old cuts set in delicate halos, like VC’s Emilya. Give me a bold, chunky faceted cushion cut diamond, set that baby in the refined halo, Emilya, and STEP BACK!! Ugh!! *drool* .

I’m with others, here, who appreciate air line halos. I just adore an air line setting of any kind! Throw in some millgrain, and filigree....and I’m lost for days, gazing into the design, and sparkle of every inch of that piece of art. As if that’s not enough, toss in some frenchies or baguettes along that outter halo, separated by a fine air line, against a razor thin bezel, wrapped around a chunky OEC, OMC, or ACC, and you’ve got pure, Vintage love on your finger. Example: VC’s French Cut Air line Halo.

Anything art-deco, with geometric lines, and clear separation between the stones & the surrounding art work gets my vote! Cue: Shield rings, and @ohsomethingshiny ‘s Lucy!

I’m all about making the center stone the star, and adding an extra kick (and finger coverage), but that can also be achieved with side stones, at just the right proportion, to create something graceful, classic & clean, like @Blingalingaling ‘s gorgeous new 6.5ct EC with accent Traps.

Ladies & gentlemen, I believe that this all boils down to quality & craftsmanship.
There are so many unique & beautiful (and individual) styles on this Fora; very difficult to have just one favorite, or choose one that stands above all others.

Everyone loves what they love, and those loves may change over time. Styles change, and come in & out of popularity. What matters most is that what you have makes your heart sing (for now), and knowing that, if desired, that love can grow & change with the help of a master craftsman by giving your favorite stone a brand new wardrobe!!

PS is the place to be for anyone, regardless if they’re a soli lover, a halo lover, step cut lover, brilliant cut lover, or if you’re someone who has love for variable styles & diamond cuts/shapes.
There is something for everyone, here!!

 

[Logan Sapphire]

Solitaire = soloist
Halo = symphony
Three stone = trio

I’ve had all three styles; currently wearing a VC Emilya. While I appreciate solitaires and think they are lovely, I need a little extra something. I could do a non-halo, but I’d need pave or melee of some sort. If someone wanted to give me all three styles, I’d happily accept.

 

[missy]

Today my dh said he thinks I should keep the halo setting my OEC is in and get the solitaire setting I want and just switch b/w the 2 setting with my OEC as the center. Sweetest guy ever but I don't think setting and resetting and resetting Bubbalah as the mood strikes is safe for the OEC nor my sanity. But I love the appeal of having both beautiful settings for my one perfect (for me) OEC. And love my man for suggesting it as impractical as I think it is.

Reading this thread with interest. Always thought of myself as a solitaire girl with the center diamond as the star but seeing the appeal of both so much more now that I am wearing a halo. I also see that the center diamond can be the star even in a halo setting depending on the specific setting.

Love what has been written so far. Especially this:

If someone wanted to give me all three styles, I’d happily accept.

Me too.

 

[Un_Petit_Rayon_de_Soleil]

Awww. Thank you! I am obviously a sucker for airlines too. Also for art deco style. I agree this is more of a frame than halo. I love all the other rings you mentioned too !

I don’t consider this ring a halo design. I consider it more of a frame style. It’s one of my top faves on PS, though!! LOOOOVVVEEE IT!!!

Most already know I’m not a halo fan. Not unless it’s delicate & MINIMAL. I feel the same way about bezels: delicate & refined. Nothing that obstructs Light, ESPECIALLY against a step cut diamond!!

Some jewelers can knock out the perfect bezel or halo design around a rose cut or step cut stone, and others can easily destroy them. Unless you have an artistic craftsman, who understands lines, refinement & light exposure of different cuts, leave the diamond alone!

@-Asscher- ‘s CvB ID Jessica is a prime example of an amazingly executed bezel design around a sqEC. That custom piece made the top of my faves list, as well! I can’t even imagine that stone in another setting!! It’s perfect, and the sqEC is so bright, and bold in that bezel! It’s a true work of art!

@ILikeShiny ‘s beautiful mixed metal Asscher ER also stands out, and is a beautiful, blended masterpiece!

My fave combo of Center & halo is old cuts set in delicate halos, like VC’s Emilya. Give me a bold, chunky faceted cushion cut diamond, set that baby in the refined halo, Emilya, and STEP BACK!! Ugh!! *drool* .

I’m with others, here, who appreciate air line halos. I just adore an air line setting of any kind! Throw in some millgrain, and filigree....and I’m lost for days, gazing into the design, and sparkle of every inch of that piece of art. As if that’s not enough, toss in some frenchies or baguettes along that outter halo, separated by a fine air line, against a razor thin bezel, wrapped around a chunky OEC, OMC, or ACC, and you’ve got pure, Vintage love on your finger. Example: VC’s French Cut Air line Halo.

Anything art-deco, with geometric lines, and clear separation between the stones & the surrounding art work gets my vote! Cue: Shield rings, and @ohsomethingshiny ‘s Lucy!

I’m all about making the center stone the star, and adding an extra kick (and finger coverage), but that can also be achieved with side stones, at just the right proportion, to create something graceful, classic & clean, like @Blingalingaling ‘s gorgeous new 6.5ct EC with accent Traps.

Ladies & gentlemen, I believe that this all boils down to quality & craftsmanship.
There are so many unique & beautiful (and individual) styles on this Fora; very difficult to have just one favorite, or choose one that stands above all others.

Everyone loves what they love, and those loves may change over time. Styles change, and come in & out of popularity. What matters most is that what you have makes your heart sing (for now), and knowing that, if desired, that love can grow & change with the help of a master craftsman by giving your favorite stone a brand new wardrobe!!

PS is the place to be for anyone, regardless if they’re a soli lover, a halo lover, step cut lover, brilliant cut lover, or if you’re someone who has love for variable styles & diamond cuts/shapes.
There is something for everyone, here!!

 

[LLJsmom]

Love a halo around a colored gem. Makes the colored gem pop!!

Single cut melee would be great around an old cut.

 

[missy]

Yes have to add that halos are perfect for colored stones. As @LLJsmom said. Makes them POP!



and I am beginning to see their appeal for diamonds too ...





And again I agree with @LLJsmom for an old cut probably single cut melee is best if one is doing a halo.

(but yeah heading for a solitaire at some point in the future most likely but I will miss the halo and that surprises me- I guess the never say never saying always applies).

 

[meely]

I choose a halo because I love them not because they have been fashionable. As a child they were the rings that attracted me and I still love them now, solitaires never did it for me. The Georgians and Victorians were haloing diamonds and gemstones and so were the Edwardians they just got a lot more delicate about it! I think if you love something for itself you were still love it when it becomes a less fashionable choice! I have my own distinct sense of style and taste - my house is an electic mix of color, era and style which to me is timeless in itself. I still love the things I bought 15 years ago and rarely sell or throw things out unless they are no longer practical.
So I will alWays love a halo (although there are plenty out there that do not appeal but that's true of any style, ring or otherwise).
No mean comments about my blingy ring please

 

[peacechick]

This is an example of how a halo really elevates a stone that I normally wouldn’t consider, Amazonite, and makes it a drop-dead stunner to me. I would already have bought it if the centre stone was not so huge. It’s hard to wear a giant cocktail ring on an everyday basis!

 

[ccuheartnurse]

I have had solitaire & halo, I prefer the halo. To me, it's the whole package as a lot have mentioned. I disagree that the halo is on it's way out & not a fad. If I had a nickel for every time I read that I would be rocking a 10 ct today. LOL My goodness, I tried on a triple row pave shank ring in 2002 & everyone said..no, it's too busy & it will go out of style. I ended up with a solitaire, pretty, but it didn't appeal to my flashy gaudy side. LOL I still to this day covet 3 row pave shanks. LOL Evolution has taken it's course with me (aka allocating funds for a bigger rock) & I fully appreciate that a large diamond in a halo is awesome. Halo's aren't going anywhere & the fear waaaay back then they 1st started gaining popularity was they would be the equivalent of the '80's cluster or a fad, just hasn't happened. They in fact, are becoming more elaborate, can redefine by shapeshifting any shape of diamond or gemstone into any creation one can imagine. I'm amazed at the creativity on this board for some the designs I've seen over the years. A lot of casting companies are making different shaped halo's available to suit a variety of tastes & budgets. Then there are those benches/ setters out there that are fine tuning their skills so much so they produce masterpieces with such tiny tiny stones.

For someone trying to decide between all the various styles out there, buy what you love today cause you don't know what you'll love 5-10-15-20yrs from now.

 

[david b]

Halo engagenent rings are in style for couple of years now and not without a reason.
*It gives the ring a Vintage look
*It makes the sparkle area much bigger
*It makes an illusion of a bigger center
*You can add colors to the gold or side diamonds in double hallos.
*Makes your ring more significant
Did I forget something?

 

[KristinTech]

I have had solitaire & halo, I prefer the halo. To me, it's the whole package as a lot have mentioned. I disagree that the halo is on it's way out & not a fad. If I had a nickel for every time I read that I would be rocking a 10 ct today. LOL My goodness, I tried on a triple row pave shank ring in 2002 & everyone said..no, it's too busy & it will go out of style. I ended up with a solitaire, pretty, but it didn't appeal to my flashy gaudy side. LOL I still to this day covet 3 row pave shanks. LOL Evolution has taken it's course with me (aka allocating funds for a bigger rock) & I fully appreciate that a large diamond in a halo is awesome. Halo's aren't going anywhere & the fear waaaay back then they 1st started gaining popularity was they would be the equivalent of the '80's cluster or a fad, just hasn't happened. They in fact, are becoming more elaborate, can redefine by shapeshifting any shape of diamond or gemstone into any creation one can imagine. I'm amazed at the creativity on this board for some the designs I've seen over the years. A lot of casting companies are making different shaped halo's available to suit a variety of tastes & budgets. Then there are those benches/ setters out there that are fine tuning their skills so much so they produce masterpieces with such tiny tiny stones.

For someone trying to decide between all the various styles out there, buy what you love today cause you don't know what you'll love 5-10-15-20yrs from now.

I totally agree—the halo is here to stay. The particular style of halo may come and go (daisy cluster, ballerine, Art Deco geometric), but it has stood the rest of time and will always be a popular choice!

 

[missy]

Glad this thread was bumped up.

I have been wearing my OEC in her halo setting now for about 14 weeks and still loving her. Yesterday we were at the Brooklyn Flea which is a flea market consisting mainly of vintage pieces. Clothing, furniture and some jewelry etc. Anyway we were looking at plants (hosting gift for my parents) and the gentleman noticed my ring right away and asked to look at it. Turns out he used to be a jeweler and did bench work. He was drooling over my ring haha. First he complimented the OEC and knew right away it was an OEC and then he complimented the overall ring.

All this to say that while I appreciate both and probably will still end up with a solitaire of sorts for my OEC I see the huge appeal of halos and they really can complement the diamond and add to the beauty of the overall piece. They can also draw the focus to the facets in a way that I was surprised to see. It's a different feel than a solitaire where the ER diamond is the center of attraction but it can add rather than take away depending on the specifics and what you are going for in terms of overall look.

I love that there are so many different types of halos too. A dizzying array of choices to choose from...there really is something for everyone. Tiny halos, delicate halos, huge halos, chunky halos, round halos, non round halos, old cut halos, MRB halos, colored gem halos, non conventional diamond shape halos etc.

There is no right or wrong here just personal aesthetics and preference. More and more I am liking the idea of switching between 2 settings as the mood strikes (but within practical parameters of course-can't do it every week lol). Going from halo to solitaire and back between your 2 favorite settings.

And I wholeheartedly agree that one should buy what they love today and enjoy the heck out of it as our tastes change and live in the moment and enjoy what you love and adore in the here and now. Deal with the future when it happens and then if you want to change to a halo or from a halo why not? Changing the setting is easier than changing the diamond. Generally speaking.