Halo vs Double Halo: What’s the Difference?

When you’re choosing an engagement ring or statement ring, the setting can completely change how the centre stone looks. 

That centre stone might be a diamond, sapphire, ruby, emerald or another coloured gemstone. In every case, a halo can add presence, definition and sparkle. Around a coloured gemstone in particular, a fine halo of white diamonds can beautifully lift the colour of the centre stone and create contrast around it.

A double halo takes that idea further, adding even more scale and diamond coverage.

But more diamonds don't automatically mean a better-looking ring. For us, proportion is always the most important consideration. The halo should enhance the centre stone, not overwhelm it.

So, what is the difference between a halo and a double halo, and which is right for your ring?

What Is A Halo Setting?

A halo setting surrounds a centre diamond or coloured gemstone with a single row of smaller diamonds.

The result is a defined border around the centre stone, adding additional sparkle and increasing the overall visual footprint of the ring.

With a diamond centre, this can make the main stone appear larger when viewed from above.

With a coloured gemstone, the effect can be slightly different, and incredibly beautiful. White diamonds surrounding a sapphire, ruby, emerald or other coloured stone create contrast, helping the colour appear brighter and more pronounced.

It is one of the reasons we love halos around coloured gemstones. The diamonds don't need to compete with the centre stone. Done properly, they frame it and allow the colour to become the focus.

A halo can be incredibly fine and delicate or slightly more substantial depending on the overall design.

They can be created around almost any centre-stone shape, including:

• Round
• Oval
• Cushion
• Radiant
• Pear
• Marquise
• Emerald cut
• Asscher cut

When we're designing a bespoke halo ring, one of the first things we look at is the relationship between the centre stone and the surrounding diamonds.

Your eye should still be drawn immediately to that central stone.

What Is A Double Halo?

A double halo uses two rows of smaller diamonds around the centre stone instead of one.

Naturally, this creates significantly more finger coverage and a much more substantial overall appearance.

With a diamond centre, a double halo can dramatically increase the visual size of the ring.

With a coloured gemstone, it can create a very striking contrast between the colour at the centre and the surrounding white diamonds.

Double halos can work particularly well if you love more elaborate, decorative or vintage-influenced jewellery.

They can also be used creatively. You might have a coloured gemstone in the centre with two diamond halos, or introduce colour into one of the surrounding rows.

The important thing is that every element feels intentional.

What Is The Difference Between A Halo And A Double Halo?

The obvious difference is the number of rows of diamonds, but aesthetically the bigger difference is scale.

Feature	Single Halo	Double Halo
Diamond rows	One	Two
Overall appearance	Refined and defined	More substantial and decorative
Finger coverage	Increased	Significantly increased
Centre-stone emphasis	Usually remains very strong	The overall ring becomes more of the focus
Sparkle	Added brilliance	Greater overall brilliance
Coloured gemstone effect	Creates contrast and lifts the centre colour	Creates even greater contrast and scale
Maintenance	More detailed than a solitaire	More small stones to maintain
Best for	Enhancing a centre stone without overpowering it	Maximum presence and a more elaborate look

A fine single halo can be particularly effective because it gives the centre stone more definition without taking attention away from it.

A double halo creates a much more dramatic overall ring.

Neither is better. They simply achieve different things.

Does A Halo Make A Centre Stone Look Bigger?

Yes. A halo increases the overall visual footprint around the centre stone, so the ring appears larger when viewed from above.

With a diamond centre, a finely proportioned halo can create the impression of a larger diamond.

With a coloured gemstone, size isn't always the main objective.

Often, the real benefit is contrast.

A border of bright white diamonds around a deep blue sapphire, vivid ruby or rich green emerald can make the centre gemstone appear more vibrant and beautifully defined.

In those cases, we're using the halo not simply to make the stone appear bigger, but to make it look its best.

Why Do Diamond Halos Work So Well Around Coloured Gemstones?

Diamonds and coloured gemstones interact beautifully because of contrast.

A sapphire, ruby or emerald absorbs and reflects light very differently from a diamond. When you surround that colour with bright white diamonds, it creates a visual border around the gemstone and helps draw the eye towards its colour.

That contrast can:

• Make the gemstone appear more vivid
• Define the shape of the centre stone
• Add brilliance without losing the character of the gemstone
• Increase the overall presence of the ring
• Give a softer or more decorative outline to the design

The exact effect will depend on the individual gemstone.

A very dark sapphire, for example, can benefit enormously from bright diamonds surrounding it because the halo introduces light around the edge of the stone.

With a lighter or more vivid gemstone, the diamonds can make the colour feel even more pronounced.

This is why we don't think of a halo simply as "extra diamonds". It is part of how the centre gemstone is presented.

Which Coloured Gemstones Work Well With A Diamond Halo?

Many do, but some combinations are particularly beautiful.

Sapphire and Diamond Halo

This is perhaps the classic combination.

The white diamonds create strong contrast against blue sapphire and can make a deep sapphire appear brighter and more defined.

It also works beautifully with pink, yellow and other sapphire colours.

Ruby and Diamond Halo

White diamonds around a ruby emphasise the intensity of the red and can give the ring a very luxurious, traditional feel.

The quality and saturation of the ruby remain the focus, while the diamonds frame it.

Emerald and Diamond Halo

Emerald has a softer type of brilliance than either diamond or sapphire.

A diamond halo can therefore add sparkle around the emerald without changing the character of the centre stone.

We would generally keep the halo beautifully proportioned, particularly with an emerald-cut emerald, so the geometry of the stone remains the focal point.

Other Coloured Gemstones

Aquamarine, tourmaline, spinel, tanzanite and other coloured gemstones can also look beautiful with a diamond halo.

Here, we would always consider the colour, tone, durability and individual proportions of the gemstone before deciding on the setting.

Does a Double Halo Make A Centre Stone Look Even Bigger?

A double halo increases the overall dimensions of the ring considerably, so yes, the entire centre of the ring will appear much larger.

However, that doesn't necessarily mean the actual centre stone will look larger.

At a certain point, the eye starts to read the centre stone and the surrounding halos as one complete design.

This is why we often favour a fine single halo when the priority is to showcase a particularly beautiful centre diamond or coloured gemstone.

If the priority is maximum finger coverage and an unapologetically substantial look, a double halo can work beautifully.

Which Has More Sparkle, A Single Or Double Halo?

A double halo contains more diamonds, so it will naturally create more sparkle across the ring as a whole.

But more sparkle is not necessarily the objective.

Sometimes the most beautiful result comes from restraint.

Around a vivid sapphire or emerald, for example, a very fine single halo may provide exactly enough brilliance to lift the colour without distracting from it.

Similarly, around an exceptional diamond, we may prefer the halo to be barely there, simply extending the outline and adding a subtle border of brilliance.

It all comes down to proportion.

Is A Halo or Double Halo More Expensive?

All else being equal, a double halo will generally cost more to manufacture than a single halo because it requires additional diamonds, metal and setting work.

However, the centre stone is usually the most significant part of the overall budget.

Its value will depend on factors such as size, quality and rarity.

With diamonds, this includes carat weight, cut, colour, clarity and whether the diamond is natural or lab grown.

With coloured gemstones, factors such as colour, saturation, origin, treatment, clarity and rarity can all affect value.

When we are designing a ring, we look at the complete budget rather than treating the setting separately.

Sometimes investing more in a beautiful centre stone and using a fine single halo creates a stronger finished ring than choosing a more elaborate setting.

Are Halo Rings Harder to Maintain?

Halo rings require slightly more care than a simple solitaire because there are more small diamonds and individual settings around the centre stone.

Those small spaces can also collect hand cream, soap and everyday residue, which can temporarily dull the appearance of both the halo diamonds and the centre stone.

A double halo simply involves more individual stones and therefore more settings to maintain over time.

This shouldn't put you off choosing one. A well-made halo ring is designed to be worn.

It simply benefits from regular professional checking and cleaning.

Will a Wedding Band Sit Beside a Halo Engagement Ring?

This depends more on the profile of the ring than whether it has one halo or two.

If the centre setting and halo sit sufficiently high, a straight wedding band can often sit neatly alongside it.

A very low-set halo may mean there is a small gap between the engagement ring and wedding band, or that a shaped wedding ring is required.

We always consider this at the design stage.

An engagement ring shouldn't be designed in isolation if you know you want a wedding band to sit flush beside it.

Which Centre-Stone Shapes Look Best With a Halo?

Almost every shape can work beautifully with a halo, but the halo needs to respect the proportions of the centre stone.

With an oval or marquise, we want to preserve the elongated silhouette.

With a cushion cut, the halo can emphasise its softer corners.

With an emerald cut, whether diamond or coloured gemstone, we tend to favour a more considered halo because the beauty of the stone lies in its strong geometry.

With a pear shape, the halo should follow the outline closely without making the point appear too heavy.

The advantage of bespoke design is that the halo can be built specifically around the exact dimensions of your chosen centre stone.

Halo vs Double Halo: Which Should You Choose?

Choose a single halo if you want to add definition, contrast and presence while keeping the centre stone as the main focus.

Choose a double halo if you love a more substantial ring and want considerably more diamond coverage across the finger.

For coloured gemstones, a fine single diamond halo is often particularly effective because it can beautifully lift the colour of the centre stone.

For diamonds, it can create additional presence and make the centre appear visually larger.

For us, the most important thing isn't how many diamonds surround the centre.

It's whether the proportions make that centre stone look its absolute best.

Key Takeaways

• A single halo uses one row of diamonds around a centre diamond or coloured gemstone.
• A double halo uses two rows and creates considerably more finger coverage.
• A halo can make the overall centre of the ring appear larger.
• Around a coloured gemstone, white diamonds can lift, brighten and define the colour.
• Sapphires, rubies and emeralds work particularly beautifully with diamond halos.
• More diamonds don't necessarily make a better ring. Proportion is key.
• A single halo generally keeps more focus on the centre stone.
• Double halos create a more substantial and decorative look.
• Always consider wedding-band fit and long-term maintenance when designing a halo engagement ring.

Thinking about a halo ring?

If you're deciding between a solitaire, halo or double halo, or you're considering a coloured gemstone centre, you don't need to know exactly what you want before your appointment.

At The Diamond Expert, we source natural diamonds, lab grown diamonds and coloured gemstones, then design each bespoke ring around the individual centre stone, your personal style and your budget.

If you're unsure where to start, book a private consultation and we'll guide you through the options.

Rhona Fitzpatrick
Private Jeweller
The Diamond Expert

Frequently Asked Questions

Can a halo go around a coloured gemstone?

Absolutely. In fact, coloured gemstones can be particularly beautiful with a diamond halo. The white diamonds create contrast around the centre stone and can help its colour appear brighter and more defined.

Does a diamond halo make a sapphire look brighter?

It can. Bright white diamonds around a sapphire create contrast at the edge of the stone, which can visually lift the blue and give the ring more brilliance overall.

Can you put a halo around an emerald?

Yes. Emeralds can look beautiful with diamond halos. We would usually be particularly careful with proportions so that the diamonds enhance the emerald rather than competing with its colour and shape.

Are halos only for engagement rings?

Not at all. Halo settings work beautifully in right-hand rings, cocktail rings, earrings and pendants, particularly when coloured gemstones are involved.

Can you put a halo around a lab grown diamond?

Yes. The design principle is exactly the same whether the centre diamond is natural or lab grown. The halo should be designed around the individual stone's measurements and proportions.

Is one halo better than two?

Neither is inherently better. A single halo tends to keep more emphasis on the centre stone, while a double halo creates greater scale and overall diamond coverage.