Some engagement rings show off all their glory right away. Others save their secret for someone to take a second look. Hidden Halo engagement rings will never end up in the first group.
These rings don’t put smaller accent stones going around the top of the center stone in a halo shape. Rather, they are positioned either under or around the bottom of the center stone, adding extra brilliance that is a treat for the eyes when looking from the side. The result is an elegant upgrade to the classic solitaire ring that still manages to wear a ring shape we all know and love.
In fact, the combination of ring gallery height, maintenance needs, diamond choices, and how it will go with a wedding band are just some of the factors that couples considering should think about for this special band.
Table of Contents
Why We Love Hidden Halo Engagement Rings
Typically, a halo adds smaller diamonds to go along the perimeter of the center stone, adding to the overall face up surface area. A hidden halo, however, moves the smaller diamonds to one side or the bottom of the center stone, making it more visible from the side.
This results in some wonderful upgrades:
- Add even more sparkle to your ring without overwhelming your chosen center stone
- Have a unique side profile that still maintains a desirable simplicity
- Create a more detailed variation of a simple solitaire
- Give flexibility when it comes to choosing a center stone shape
- Create even more visual interest from other angles
These variations in appearance mostly depend on how high up your center stone is in addition to how well the gallery around the bottom was crafted.
Center Stone Considerations for Hidden Halo Engagement Rings
Choosing a center stone also comes with its own variations when it comes to choosing the right one. While there are several factors involved in choosing a center stone, a hidden halo allows many more unique options simply because your overall look won’t be dictated simply by the carat weight.
Oval and round center stones tend to balance out well with most halo sizes, but so can cushion, pear, radiant, or even another fancy shape so long as the overall dimensions still work well with the setting.
You should not overlook lab created diamonds, either when it comes to the center stone or the accent diamonds that make up your halo. Their overall crystal structure mirrors mined diamonds while presenting you with other purchasing options when it comes to size, specifications, and overall design. Instead of choosing the highest carat weight, determine how the cut, depth, clarity, color, and fit work for you with the setting in question.
Hidden Halo Engagement Ring Maintenance & More
While beautiful, a hidden halo engagement ring should always be considered for the same everyday wear as well. Some versions tend to have the center stone mounted higher to allow easy visibility of the accent diamonds; while this does add visual height to the overall ring, it may also be dangerous if you have a particular job that requires hand movements.
Ask yourself how well a low profile setting will suit those with more hands on jobs. Additionally, inspect if the center and other smaller stones will be mounted firmly.
Pairing With Your Wedding Band
Think about how this will pair well with your wedding band, as well. There are also variations in how well certain bands will lay side by side with your engagement ring: some mount higher than the accent halo setting while others will lay snug and close against it. You may want to try on some different samples if you can, to help see how things will actually come together.
Caring for a Hidden Halo Engagement Ring
What you need to know about caring and maintaining a center stone with small accent diamonds involves even more gentle cleaning and inspection. This kind of setting tends to have plenty of small crevices where oils, lotions, and other debris have the potential to get stuck. Doing gentle in home cleaning in addition to a trip to the local jeweler for deep inspection will help prolong the lifespan of the prongs and small accents.
Generally speaking, it is always good to limit the chance for impacts against other objects as well as the potential of unnecessary exposure to harsh chemicals or abrasive jewelry cleaners.
Should You Choose a Hidden Halo for Your Engagement Ring?
A hidden halo is definitely a perfect choice for someone who wants the comfort and elegance of a plain solitaire style with additional sparkle that only reveals itself when looking from the side.
Before choosing one, take a ring and look at it from many lab grown diamonds sides, not just the top of the center stone. Remember to always factor in how the ring’s center height, construction around the halo, comfort, and ability to mount your wedding band against it will work for everyday wear.
The absolute best hidden halo engagement rings will find a happy medium between extra visual details and everyday build and comfort. After all, an elegant but well crafted setting should only add to how brilliant the center stone is, rather then distract from it.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a hidden halo on an engagement ring?
A hidden halo consists of a row of small accent diamonds that tend to sit just below or around the base of the center stone. This adds extra brilliance and interest to the ring while remaining mostly visible from the sides
Does a hidden halo make a diamond look bigger?
It can help add more interest and brilliance to the overall ring, but it will not add as much surface area or weight in comparison to a full halos that go along the side, top and bottom of your center stone. They tend to enhance a solitaire appearance even more when looking from the side, though
Can you use different diamond shapes with a hidden halo?
There are several possibilities with choosing just about any round, oval, cushion, pear, radiant, or other fancy shape. It tends to come down to how things will actually work when paired with the halo height and center stone depth.
Are hidden halos hard to maintain?
They will tend to require a little extra maintenance due to all of the accent stones and crevices where oils and other substances can get trapped, but some gentle in home cleaning in addition to a few trips to your local jeweler will help keep them in excellent condition.
Final Thoughts on Hidden Halo Engagement Rings
Choosing what kind of center stone mounting you want when buying an engagement ring involves far more than simply finding the largest center or going with the most complicated mounting that captures attention. Comfort, dimensions, construction, maintenance, and everyday lifestyle balance come to play, as well. Choosing a hidden halo style is absolutely perfect for anyone wanting the classic beauty of a plain solitaire style with extra accent diamonds in an interesting but elegant design. Always look at your engagement ring center stone and its surrounding design in person so you can see it from all sides, considering how the ring will look and fit on a day to day basis.
