A halo is a ring of small diamonds set close around the centre stone. Seen on the hand, the two read as one larger, brighter diamond, so a halo gives the centre more presence. It can follow most shapes or sit hidden beneath the stone, and on a halo ring the carat weight counts every diamond.
What a halo does
- It makes the centre look larger. The eye takes in the outline of the whole frame, so the centre reads closer to the size of the halo than to its own.
- It adds light. A ring of small diamonds catches light from every side and surrounds the centre with sparkle.
What carat in all means
On a halo ring, the carat weight we list is the total for every diamond in it: the centre, the halo and any diamonds along the band. A ring marked 1.36 carat in all has a centre that weighs less than 1.36 carat, with the rest spread across many small stones. When you compare a halo with a solitaire, compare the centre with the centre, and ask us for its weight. The centre gives the ring its size; the halo gives it light.
Halo engagement ring designs, shape by shape
A halo usually follows the outline of the centre stone. Prices are for 14k gold and move with the gold rate.
Round
The classic halo: a circle of small diamonds around a round brilliant.
Mira round halo, from around ₹58,000. A round in a halo of small diamonds, on a slim band set with diamonds, 0.78 carat in all.
Sol round halo, from around ₹1,06,500. A round in four prongs inside a bold halo, with diamonds along the shoulders, 1.36 carat in all.
Cushion
The halo traces the soft square of the cushion.
Mira cushion halo, from around ₹59,000. A cushion in a halo of small diamonds, on a slim band set with diamonds, 0.80 carat in all.
Oval
A halo stretches the oval's outline further along the finger. For oval solitaires and more, see our guide to oval engagement rings.
Sol oval halo, from around ₹1,53,500. An oval in a halo of small diamonds, on a band that splits at the shoulders, set with diamonds, 2.34 carat in all.
Pear
The halo follows the curve of the pear and tapers to its point.
Mira pear halo, from around ₹1,28,500. A pear in a halo of small diamonds, on a split band set with diamonds, 1.45 carat in all.
Emerald cut
A frame of bright, small diamonds around the long, calm steps of an emerald cut.
Mira emerald cut halo, from around ₹1,00,500. An emerald cut in four prongs, in a halo of small diamonds, on a band set with diamonds, 1.16 carat in all.
Princess
A square halo around a square stone. See the designs in our guide to princess cut engagement rings.
The hidden halo
A hidden halo sets the ring of small diamonds beneath the centre stone, under its widest edge, instead of around it. Face up, the ring looks like a solitaire. Turn your hand and the diamonds underneath catch the light from the side. It suits anyone who loves a clean solitaire and still wants a little secret.
Mirage round hidden halo, from around ₹71,000. A round in four prongs over a hidden halo of small diamonds, on a plain band, 0.84 carat in all.
Halo or solitaire
Choose a halo for presence and light: the centre reads larger and the ring sparkles from every side. Choose a solitaire if you want the single stone alone, with nothing around it. A hidden halo sits between the two. A halo holds many small diamonds in fine metalwork, so have it cleaned and checked from time to time; lifetime cleaning and prong tightening come with every Nivara piece.
See all halo rings or every engagement ring, read our guide to lab grown engagement rings in India, and find the right fit with the engagement ring size guide.
What comes with every piece
- One diamond standard, whatever the budget: VVS clarity, E colour, ideal cut.
- IGI certification, and on solitaires the report number laser inscribed on the stone, so the paper and the diamond are one.
- 14k or 18k BIS hallmarked gold.
- A lifetime exchange at 100% of the current gold and diamond value, and a lifetime buyback at 100% gold and 85% diamond value.
- Lifetime polishing, cleaning and prong tightening, for as long as the piece is worn.
See a halo on the hand
A halo is easiest to judge in person, next to a solitaire. Book a private viewing and compare them side by side at our showrooms in Hyderabad, Bangalore, Indore or Ahmedabad. Anywhere else in India or abroad, book a video consultation; we ship to 28 countries.
Want to see how brands compare on certification, pricing and buyback? Our guide to the top lab grown diamond brands in India sets out the eight questions to ask.
Frequently asked questions
What is a halo engagement ring?
A halo engagement ring has a centre diamond framed by a ring of small diamonds set close around it. The frame makes the centre look larger and adds sparkle. A halo suits most shapes, including round, cushion, oval, pear, emerald cut and princess.
Does a halo make a diamond look bigger?
Yes. On the hand the centre and the halo read together, so the centre looks closer to the size of the whole frame. It is one way to give a smaller centre stone more presence without moving up in carat weight.
What is a hidden halo?
A hidden halo is a ring of small diamonds set beneath the centre stone rather than around it. Face up the ring looks like a solitaire. From the side the hidden diamonds show and catch the light.
What does carat in all mean on a halo ring?
It is the total weight of every diamond in the ring: the centre, the halo and any diamonds on the band. The centre stone alone weighs less than that total, so compare centre with centre when you weigh a halo against a solitaire.
How much does a halo engagement ring cost at Nivara?
Every Nivara diamond is priced at ₹50,000 per carat for VVS clarity and E colour, with the gold and setting added. Our Mira round halo, 0.78 carat in all, starts from around ₹58,000 in 14k gold, and prices move with the gold rate.
