Solitaire engagement rings and halo (or hidden halo) engagement rings are two of the most popular options for modern brides. They’re both great styles, so how do couples in the Charlotte area choose between them? 

At Ellis Jewelers, we frequently see shoppers come in to compare these two styles. Understanding the distinction between these solitaire and halo rings can help you choose the style that best matches your partner’s taste. In this blog, we’ll dive into the differences between solitaire and halo rings. We’ll go over each style’s unique advantages when it comes to appearance, sparkle, and price. Hopefully, we’ll answer some of your questions along the way!

1. What Is a Solitaire Engagement Ring?

2. What Is a Halo Engagement Ring?

3. Solitaire vs. Halo Engagement Rings: Key Differences

4. Which Style Makes a Diamond Look Bigger?

5. Which Engagement Ring Style Is More Timeless?

6. How to Choose the Right Engagement Ring Style

7. Customizing Solitaire and Halo Engagement Rings

8. FAQ: Solitaire Engagement Rings vs. Halo Engagement Rings

What Is a Solitaire Engagement Ring?

Definition and Design

A solitaire engagement ring features one center diamond or gemstone with no (or very few) accents. The minimalist setting emphasizes the stone itself, allowing it to take center stage. It’s usually mounted with small prongs on a simple band, allowing as much light as possible to reach the stone. They’re clean, elegant, and timeless.

Why Solitaire Rings Are So Popular

Timeless design: Solitaires have been the classic engagement ring style for decades–if not longer! Though these rings are traditional, they’re never outdated, always looking fresh and modern.
Focus on the center stone: Solitaire rings draw all the onlooker’s attention toward the diamond. They are great for emphasizing larger, sparklier stones, but they make any diamond look impressive.
Versatility: Solitaire rings pair easily with all kinds of wedding band and anniversary band styles, making it easy to customize your bridal stack.
Easy maintenance: Because they don’t have intricate accents, solitaire rings require fewer repairs and are easier to clean.  

What Is a Halo Engagement Ring?

Definition and Design

Halo rings feature a center diamond or gemstone surrounded by a circle of smaller diamonds. This circle of sparkle resembles a halo, and enhances the ring’s brilliance. Common variations include:

• Single halo: One ring of diamonds encircles the face of the center stone.
• Double halo: Two rings of diamonds encircle the face of the center stone.
• Hidden halo: A ring of diamonds encircles the base of the diamond rather than the face, enhancing brilliance while staying subtly hidden. 

Why Halo Rings Are Popular

Extra sparkle: These small diamond accents increase the ring’s overall brilliance. 
Center stone appears larger: Increased sparkle creates an optical illusion, making the center stone appear larger. This makes it a great decision for couples who want a larger diamond but can’t necessarily splurge on a higher carat weight.
Unique design possibilities: Halo settings come in many different styles, from vintage-inspired halos to cushion halos and floral halos.  

Solitaire vs Halo Engagement Rings: Key Differences

Appearance

These ring styles appeal to different tastes, with solitaires speaking to those with more classic tastes and halos appealing to those who appreciate bold looks. 

Solitaire: 

• Simple
• Elegant
• Minimalist

Halo:

• Bold
• Sparkly
• Intricate

Regardless of your preference, we recommend visiting a jeweler in person to explore your options up-close. This lets you see how a ring will actually look on your finger, and shows off the ring’s light performance.

Sparkle and Brilliance

Both solitaire and halo settings can boast beautiful sparkle. However, the many small diamonds surrounding the center stone in a halo setting will cast extra sparkle out into the world, giving halo settings a reputation for maximum brilliance. 

Solitaire:

• A large single diamond, especially if it’s well cut, can deliver strong brilliance on its own

Halo:

• More diamonds create greater light reflection, showing off maximum sparkle.

Keep in mind that a well-cut solitaire diamond will also exhibit breathtaking brilliance. You don’t necessarily need a halo setting for an impressive sparkle.  

Price Considerations

Couples with budgeting questions often ask about the difference in price between these two settings. The additional diamonds in a halo setting, as small as they are, add extra cost. However, adding a halo setting will cost less than increasing the size of the center stone. 

Solitaire:

• Price depends primarily on the cost of the center stone.

Halo:

• A smaller center stone may cost less.
• Additional small diamonds increase the price of the setting, but will not be as expensive as buying a larger center stone. 

The overall cost also depends on the size of your center stone. Bigger center stones will, obviously, cost more than smaller ones.

Durability and Maintenance

Lifestyle is another important factor to consider while choosing your engagement ring. 

Solitaire: 

• Fewer stones and a larger center stone
• Less risk of losing diamonds

Halo:

• Small stones require more frequent maintenance

It’s easier to lose small stones like those in a diamond halo. Halo settings are also more intricate, making them harder to clean at home. With so many tiny spaces between the diamonds, they easily trap dirt and grime, and they will need professional cleaning more often than a solitaire ring.

Which Style Makes a Diamond Look Bigger?

In general, halo settings make a diamond look bigger. They visually enlarge the center stone by surrounding it in a frame of small diamonds that increase overall sparkle. From afar, a diamond halo appears to enlarge the surface area of the center stone. 

Solitaire rings emphasize the true size of the diamond. If you are investing in a large diamond, the solitaire setting lets you show it off. People who buy solitaire settings usually opt for larger center stones than people who buy halo settings. Also, remember that investing in a well-cut stone will enhance its perceived size. A solitaire diamond can still look larger than it actually is, even without the diamond halo.

Still, buyers prioritizing size appearance often choose halo rings. If you want that additional sparkle but don’t like a traditional halo setting, you might want to consider a hidden halo.   

Which Engagement Ring Style Is More Timeless?

No one wants to buy a ring that quickly goes out of style. The good news is, both solitaire and halo rings have been popular for decades. These rings have staying power! However, solitaire rings are generally considered more traditional than halo rings. 

Solitaire

This classic design has been around for centuries and never goes out of style. It works with many wedding band styles, making it easy to create your bridal stack. Solitaire rings typically appeal to traditional buyers and those who appreciate minimalist design. But you can always add a little flair to a solitaire ring by pairing it with a bold wedding band like a nesting band or colored gemstone infinity band. 

Halo

Halo settings have a more modern appeal. They’re a more recent creation, for starters, although there are vintage-inspired variations if you like a throwback look. Halo settings allow for more creativity in design, giving you space to easily add unique, custom features to your ring–for instance, a sapphire halo surrounding a center diamond. So, it’s no wonder that halo settings are popular with buyers who want a statement ring.

How to Choose the Right Engagement Ring Style

There’s no specific “roadmap” for choosing your dream engagement ring–our best advice is to visit a jewelry store in person and see which rings speak to you. But we recommend taking these steps to get started:

1. Consider Your Partner’s Style

• Minimalist → Opt for a solitaire
• Bold and glamorous → Go for a halo
• Vintage → Choose a vintage-inspired halo
• Classic → Stick with a solitaire

2. Think About Lifestyle

Customizing Solitaire and Halo Engagement Rings

Both solitaire and halo rings can be customized to suit specific tastes. Not sure where to begin? Consider customizing:

• Diamond shape: Round, oval, cushion, emerald, marquise, pear, and princess cuts are popular diamond shapes for all ring settings.
• Metal choices: The color of the band has a huge impact on an engagement ring. You’ll get to decide between white gold, yellow gold, rose gold, and platinum. Not sure which one to pick? Check your partner’s jewelry collection to see what metals she usually wears.
• Setting variations: 
  • Traditional halo or hidden halo
  • Pavé bands (small diamonds set in a line around the wedding band itself)
  • Cathedral settings (raise the diamond up off the band to maximize light absorption and increase sparkle)

Regardless of what you choose to customize, you’ll get the best results from working with a passionate and experienced custom engagement ring specialist. 
 

FAQ: Solitaire Engagement Rings vs Halo Engagement Rings

Are halo engagement rings more expensive than solitaire rings?

Not always. Halo rings sometimes use smaller center diamonds, which can balance out the cost of the additional stones.

Do halo rings make diamonds look bigger?

Yes. The frame of small diamonds creates the illusion of a larger center stone.

Are solitaire engagement rings outdated?

No. Just because they’ve been around for a long time doesn’t mean they’re old or overdone. Solitaire rings remain one of the most classic and timeless engagement ring styles. 

Which ring style is more durable?

Solitaire rings generally require less maintenance because they have less intricate detailing and fewer small diamonds. 

Shop Solitaire and Halo Engagement Rings in Concord, NC

Neither style is inherently “better” than the other. The best choice for you depends on personal taste, budget, and lifestyle. While solitaire engagement rings are timeless, elegant, and simple, halo engagement rings are sparkly, eye-catching, and bold. Whichever style you’re leaning toward, we strongly encourage you to visit a local jewelry store and explore both styles in person. 

If you live in the Charlotte, North Carolina area, we invite you to spend some time with us at Ellis Jewelers! Our friendly and passionate jewelry experts would love to guide you through the engagement ring shopping process. You can start by checking out our online custom ring builder, or by scheduling a no-pressure engagement ring consultation to discuss your options.