How to Design the Perfect Diamond Halo Engagement Ring

Shown here: SIENNA engagement ring

When you talk about a "halo" on an engagement ring you're generally talking about a frame of round pavé or micro-pavé diamonds adorning the perimeter of a larger center gemstone. You can opt for a single halo, double halo, or even an "only-metal" halo (precious metal frame). 

Shown here: LONDON BLUE and JANIE engagement rings

The size of the stones in your halo will play into the overall look of your engagement ring, as shown with the two sapphire options above (a look made popular by Princess Diana Spencer and Princess Kate Middleton). But did you know that a diamond halo can really amp up the sparkle of your ring and make a half-carat center stone look 2x larger?

 Shown here: ELENA engagement ring

Shown here: ATHENA and REMI engagement rings

Here at Dana Walden, we specialize in ultra-thin, micro-pavé settings with a a light, airy look. As veteran designers of handmade jewelry, co-founders and designers Dana Walden Chin and Radika Chin create beautiful halos every single day.

Shown here: The MAIYA ring

Dana believes that designing the perfect halo involves having a light design touch; that is, sculpting metal and paving it with diamonds while making sure the center stone remains the focus. 

Your diamond halo should never, ever overwhelm or overpower your center stone and we are very mindful of that fact. Diamond halos are among our most-requested designs because there are so many possibilities to create a truly versatile, custom (and classic-yet-nontraditional) look. It bears repeating that a halo is a great way to make your center diamond appear much, much larger for a maximalist and luxe engagement look that won't break the bank. 

Shown here: ANASTASIA engagement ring

To create a design that is wearable, your halo should be seamless and should be designed around the exact metrics of your center stone. Pro Tip: There should not be a gap between your halo and center diamond, so beware of poorly-fitted and poorly-designed diamond halos when you are shopping around.

Shown here: Our PRIMROSE engagement ring

Don’t underestimate the importance of this detail: selecting the size of your accent diamonds is actually really important and can vary greatly, depending on the look you'd like to achieve. Most prefer a timeless halo with the thinnest micro-pavé diamonds possible, like our PRIMROSE ring. Other folks prefer a vintage cluster feel, and so Dana will select large accent diamonds to create this effect, as he does in the KENDALL ring.

Shown here: Our SHIVANA Diamond engagement ring

Dana Walden Studio masterfully creates halos around colored sapphires and colored diamonds, too. The extra white flash & sparkle elevates designs and make large rings appear beautifully light and balanced. Our LINZA, JANIE, and the brand-new SHIVANA  are some examples of this.

Shown here: Our TERRY engagement ring

You can also create a halo with a floral or nature-inspired look. These are romantic, organic, and bit more whimsical. Examples of this kind of design are TERRY, ANASTASIA, and MAIYA. Among Dana Walden’s most popular halo designs are our avant-garde, art deco-style rings like SIENNA and ELENA (1st and 3rd photos above).

Got questions?

If you have been considering a diamond halo engagement ring but have some questions, email us at sales@danawaldenbridal.com or Book An Appointment to meet with Dana and Rad at the 5th Avenue studio.

Your Turn

What’s your favorite DW halo design? Tell us in a comment below.