A Brief History of Halo Settings

Halo settings are currently enjoying huge popularity among brides-to-be, and for good reason. This setting not only looks gorgeous, it also offers tangible benefits. For example, halo settings can make a center stone look up to half a carat larger, which means a bride can choose a smaller stone (and save some money!) without sacrificing perceived size. Plus, a halo’s sparkle is especially eye-catching and dramatic.

We love rose gold! And halos, of course. This ring from LaMoreDesign on Etsy has both!

The most popular halo setting is a circular halo surrounding a round center stone, but other stone and halo shapes can be just as striking. Some brides even choose a double halo for even more sparkle!

While halo rings are very trendy right now, they’ve actually been around for a long time – centuries, in fact. The style dates back to the Georgian Era (1714-1837). Back then, however, the halo was made of round diamonds or pearls that were only slightly smaller than the center stone (compared to the tiny melee stones used in today’s halo styles).

The Victorian era (1837-1901) saw an increase in popularity in halo styles. During this time, the center stone was usually a colored gem, such as a sapphire or ruby. The halos, however, remained diamond or pearl.

Halo styles experienced a lull in popularity after the Victorian Era that lasted until the Art Deco period of the 1920s. This style fit right in with the period’s emphasis on geometry, symmetry, and clean lines.  It was during this period that diamonds began to grow in popularity as center stones for halo styles.

Today’s halo styles are very similar to the “classic” halos of the Art Deco period. However, the modern era has seen some updates to this setting. For example, the double halo style is a recent development!

Do you love halo settings? What attracts you to them? Let us know in the comments section.