Ultimate Guide to Buying a Circle Engagement Ring With Halo

halo engagement ring settings for round diamond

An elegant split shank halo engagement ring setting for a round diamond.

When it’s time to propose to that special someone, you will need an amazing ring to mark the occasion. And if you are someone who is drawn to big engagement rings like those that are worn by celebrities, a circle engagement ring with a halo will help you achieve the grandiose look without the eye-popping cost.

Halo settings are breathtaking choices for engagement rings and they can come in a variety of styles. In this write up, we will show you what a circle halo diamond is and the things to look out for when shopping for one.

You will also get to see some of the best designs for diamond rings with a circular halo and where are the best places to get high quality craftsmanship at affordable prices. Let’s jump right in…

What is a Halo Ring Design And How Does It Look Like?

solitaire vs circle halo engagement ring appearance comparison

Classic solitaire vs circle halo diamond engagement ring comparison.

A halo style engagement ring is basically a design where the center stone is surrounded by an array of smaller stones (usually diamonds). This perimeter of smaller diamonds forms an encrusted outline of brilliance and sparkle which resembles a halo. And if you guessed that’s how the style got its name, you are absolutely correct.

Personally, I love halo settings for the extra bling and the additional layer of protection it provides for the center stone. If you were to accidentally knock your ring against a hard surface from the side, the impact point would likely be on the halo instead of the center stone.

Also, a halo setting can give you a better bang for your buck. It can make a small carat size center diamond appear larger than it is when seen at a casual viewing distance. This means you don’t have to pay the premium for a large carat size diamond and still be able to achieve a similar effect with a smaller diamond that is more affordable.

different types of halo shapes outlines in diamond engagement rings

Different types of halo shapes found in diamond engagement rings.

Halo ring settings can come in many different styles and variations that can be personalized to suit your tastes. Halos can be round/circular, cushion, square, octagon or even in the shape of flower petals. They can also come in a variety of pave, twisted, vintage, rope or double shank designs.

In this write up, we will be focusing on circle halo engagement rings as they are the most popular type of halo rings in the market.

Best Designs For Circle Engagement Rings With Halo

I’m a huge fan of pave and halo settings where the bling factor is enhanced by the small melee diamonds. Below, you can check out a list of my favorite designs for circle halo diamond engagement rings. And if you are interested in the full details for any of them, simply click on the images or corresponding link.

14k white gold split band round halo diamond small diamonds on body ring

A dazzling circular halo is enhanced with a split shank band that is lined with pave-set diamond accents. This glimmering ring is overloaded with sparkle and brilliance that will turn heads across the room.


plain basic circle engagement ring with halo 1 carat size

This classic 14k white gold circle cut halo diamond ring is a no-frills and straightforward design that is budget friendly. It is thoughtfully designed to sit low on the finger and is comfortable to wear for long durations of time.


twisted pave halo shank engagement ring in white gold and circle shape outline

A captivating ringwith an intertwined shank of glistening pave diamond that leads up to the halo center. This symbolic ring design also represents the entwined love between you and your loved one.


classic halo circle engagement rings 4 prong 14k white gold round outline

This circle cut halo diamond ring showcases a center stone that is laden with accenting melee diamonds to draw your attention in. A classic halo and pave setting, this ring design is highly affordable and is a cost-effective way to create a large looking ring.


double halo circle diamond engagement ring two shank

This impressive double circle halo diamond ring setting features 2 layers of beautiful scalloped pave diamonds. This enhances the outline of the center stone to create a spectacular effect. The brilliance generated by the diamond-encrusted shanks also packs a visual punch.


twisting circular halo engagement ring in rose gold metal

In this whimsical and romantic looking ring, the fluid curves of the pave shank gently caress the center stone to elevate its appearance. This rose gold circular halo engagement ring has a twisted band that beautifully highlights the center stone.


floating circle engagement ring with halo gap french pave diamonds set

This Simon G. ring features an alluring halo of diamonds that embrace the center stone to create a dreamy appearance. The melee diamonds are mounted using a French-pave style of setting and the center stone sits in a circular floating halo to create a dazzling effect.


floating circle engagement ring with halo gap french pave diamonds set

This antique style engagement ring has a rounded bezel halo that gives the ring a distinct vibe. With a simple, plain shank that is finely polished, this ring has an understated yet unique appeal for people who want a special looking ring.


danhov 3 stone engagement ring with 3 circular halos white flash

Like a bouquet of flowers that is presented in the form of an engagement ring, this Danhov ring creates a stunning visual impact with its triple round halo design. Adorned with tiny diamonds that line the ring shanks, this ring has an enchanting and unforgettable look.

White Flash, James Allen and Blue Nile have hundreds of beautifully crafted circle halo engagement ring designs for you to choose from. If you want to browse through more ideas, make sure you check them out!

3 Shopping Tips For Buying Circle Halo Engagement Rings

Tip #1 Correct matching: When buying a halo diamond ring, I would recommend that you match the color of the center stone to the color of the melee diamonds used in the setting. The purpose of this is to create a more blended appearance instead of having the body color of the center stone stand out.

For example, if the ring setting uses H/I color melee diamonds, then I would recommend choosing a center diamond within 2 color grades. In this case, it could be anywhere between G-J color.

Tip #2 Workmanship: When buying a circle halo diamond engagement ring, I need to stress the importance of having good craftsmanship. But what defines good craftsmanship and how can a layperson determine whether a ring is well made or not?

By my definition, good craftsmanship of a circle halo diamond ring would entail things like well-matched melee diamonds, neatly set diamonds, good shank consistency, correctly crafted prongs and proper finishing of the ring’s surface.

 

 

Having good workmanship would result in better durability and a better-looking piece of jewelry. I’ve actually performed in-depth reviews where I scrutinize rings and you can see real-life closeup images here and here.

Tip #3 Don’t go overboard: A circle halo engagement ring can make the center diamond look big and grandiose. This means that the finger coverage that the ring offers will be larger. In the quest for more bling, I’ve seen jewelers offer double and even triple halo ring designs. In the latter case, that’s 3 rows of pave diamonds encircling the center stone!

While this is largely a matter of subjective preferences, you shouldn’t go overboard by adding too many layers of halos or using a large size center stone to begin with. Going overboard with “enhancing” the size of the center stone can backfire and make the ring’s appearance look plain silly.

Wrapping Things Up: Buying a Circle Halo Engagement Ring

halo circle engagement rings proposal

Hopefully, you gained some insights into the current design trends and found this guide useful in helping you make better shopping decisions. A circle halo diamond ring design offers a cost-effective way to make the center stone look larger and spruce up the ring’s appearance.

As a consumer, one of the most crucial decisions that will help you purchase a well made, great looking ring is choosing how and where to shop for your engagement ring. From experience, I can tell you that the majority of sellers in the market (both online and physical stores) will offer overpriced products that are inferior in quality and value.

Shopping at the right places that offer risk-free sales policies, high quality selections and competitive prices will help alleviate a lot of stress and make the experience an enjoyable one. Lastly, remember that the best style is the one that your recipient will love. Make sure you find out what your recipient prefers before you head to the stores.

Good luck and have fun shopping for the perfect ring! If you have any questions or need help with a second opinion, feel free to leave a comment below or get in touch via email.

White Flash, James Allen and Blue Nile are vendors that I highly recommend for their transparent business practices and high quality engagement rings. Also, check out their huge selections of GIA and AGS certified diamonds that you can choose from to create your own halo ring.

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One Comment

  1. Noel-
    April 5, 2018 at 2:44 am

    When buying a circle engagement ring with halo, how important is clarity and finding a center stone with similar clarity grade to the setting? Also, what do you think of platinum? In the examples you listed, I don’t see any with platinum and I am wondering if I missed anything here.

  2. Paul Gian-
    April 7, 2018 at 11:13 pm

    There’s nothing wrong with choosing platinum or white gold for circle cut halo engagement rings. It is largely a matter of personal preferences and if you do not have any skin allergies, then white gold offers better value for money. As for clarity, I am not too concerned with having different clarity grades. For example, if a setting uses SI1 clarity melees, you can go to an internally flawless center stone if you like it. My bottomline is that the melees need to be eyeclean and so does the center stone.

  3. Samantha-
    March 10, 2020 at 11:11 pm

    Do you know whether the size of the melee diamonds in round halo diamond engagement rings can be altered or customized? If I want slightly larger looking sidestones but in the same design, do the retailers you mentioned in your article allow changes like this to their designs? I am looking for a 1.5 carat round diamond ring with halo and I like the classic design you recommended but I want to get some small little tweaks done.

  4. Paul Gian-
    March 11, 2020 at 4:30 pm

    I believe it can be customized to your liking. Most bench jewelers have different sized melees that they work with for different purposes. I would suppose this would fall under a custom job and there will likely be a slightly higher cost due to the larger carat size diamonds you want to use.

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