Halo setting
JewelryWiki Editorial·1 source·Reviewed 2026-08-04
A ring of small stones set around the centre stone, so the centre reads as large as the halo. The most effective way to make a stone look bigger, and it has a maintenance cost.
Properties
| Property | Value | Authority |
|---|---|---|
| How it holds the stone | Small stones are set closely around the centre stone, with prongs holding the halo stones. [1] Translated from GIA’s Chinese text; GIA serves this article only in Chinese, including at its /en-us/ URL. | — |
| Security | The prongs holding the halo stones may wear faster than the rest of the setting. GIA advises having a jeweller check the ring regularly if you choose this style. [1] Translated from GIA’s Chinese text; GIA serves this article only in Chinese, including at its /en-us/ URL. | — |
| What to watch for | Works best above about half a carat. Below that the centre stone approaches the size of the melee around it, and the ring stops reading as a halo and starts reading as pavé with one slightly larger stone in the middle. Colour matching of the halo stones is handled by the manufacturer, so it is not something a buyer has to police. [1] Translated from GIA’s Chinese text; GIA serves this article only in Chinese, including at its /en-us/ URL. | — |
Sources
- GIA — Engagement Ring Settings That Make a Diamond Look Bigger — Gemological Institute of America (GIA 4Cs, Settings That Make a Diamond Look Bigger (18 April 2017))