Are Halo Rings Going Out of Style in the 2020s? (Try These 9 Designs Instead!)

In the market for a new sparkler? Wondering if halo rings are going out of style for good? The answer – and these dazzling new designs – might surprise you.

This article was originally published on a WordPress blog that I’ve retired in favor of Substack. Thanks for reading!

If you’re in the market for a new sparkler, you might want to know once and for all: Are halo rings going out of style in the 2020s? 

This dazzling setting definitely has been around for a while. A certain songstress has been singing all about the halo (halo, halo-o-o!) since 2008, and plenty of ring-loving ladies have been sporting the style for about as long. (You know, ever since he put a ring on it…) 

But as we ring in a new decade, will the halo still be “everything you need and more”? Or is this beloved style about to end up with “everything you own in a box to the left”? 

Let’s check back in with this catchy top hit on the jewelry charts to see if halo rings will be fading out of fashion in the 2020s – or if there’s still some hope. Read on to check out 9 dazzling designs that might just be the halo setting’s saving grace for the years to come!

A quick history of the halo ring

The halo-style ring, featuring a larger center stone surrounded by a halo of smaller round stones, dates back to the Georgian era. The designs at that time were more cluster-style, with slightly larger diamonds nestled like flower petals around the center stone.

However, the halo idea evolved over time and reached new geometric heights in the opulent Art Deco era. Center stones were embraced by single and double halos featuring more, smaller diamonds as well as vibrant emeralds, sapphires, rubies and other colorful gem accents. These halos could be perfect circles that came to be known as target-style settings. But halos often came in six or eight-sided shapes whose edges were defined by gleaming white gold or platinum.

The halo setting continued to be a favorite throughout the 20th century – just think of Princess Diana’s sapphire halo ring from the 1980s. Around the time the Duchess of Cambridge began wearing this iconic gem after her engagement in October 2010, the style experienced a major surge in popularity.

According to data from Google Trends, searches for “halo ring” and “halo engagement ring” saw a massive increase in just a short period of time. In 2004, these phrases saw a relative search volume that skimmed the bottom of the 100-point scale. But fast-forward just twelve years and interest had soared to peak popularity.

When we think of a halo ring today, what comes to mind is usually a round brilliant or cushion-cut white diamond surrounded by about two dozen teeny-tiny diamonds. Usually, this type of ring is set in white gold or platinum – and it might have a pavé band for the extra bling factor. (For example, Blue Nile’s Classic Halo Engagement Ring is exactly what we’re talking about.)

But why has it been immensely popular for such a long time? Well, we’ve all loved it because it really delivers on the glitz-and-glam factor. A modest diamond suddenly looks massive thanks to dozens of tiny diamonds nestled in the pavé setting playing tricks on the eye. 

So, are halo rings history in the 2020s?

One look at where the trendlines are starting to turn in the chart above might make you wonder, if they’ve been that popular for that long, are halo rings going out of style in the 2020s, for good? 

The short answer is… not exactly! While that classic, white-diamonds-in-white-gold halo we’re picturing is no longer leading the fashion crusade, this style of setting is actually experiencing some exciting new reimaginings.

Before we dive in, a quick side note: If you already own and love a halo ring – whether it’s your engagement ring or a special piece in your collection – it deserves all the love you can give it, today and 20 years from now!

I’ve written about the fact that wedding jewels aren’t fashion statements, so don’t let these trend forecasts stress you out. Instead, this is more for anyone looking into making a new big purchase or someone who wants to try a new take on the halo trend.

Here’s what’s happening with the classic halo ring 

Although sparkling halo rings will always be a timeless choice, in 2020, we’re seeing fewer and fewer searches for traditional bridal halo rings among the fashion-forward crowd, who prefer more unique designs and unusual settings. The alternative engagement rings that are coming into fashion now feature design details we haven’t seen for a while – or perhaps never before!

The Google Trends data above shows that, in the first few months of 2020, searches for “halo engagement ring” have already plummeted back down to where they were about 8 years ago in 2012. (Remember... back when we were listening to “Gangnam Style” and awaiting the end of the world?) 

Fashion sites like Who What Wear started forecasting the shift away from pavé-style halo engagement rings back in 2017 and re-emphasized its continued decline in popularity in 2019.

Meanwhile, Brides lists “Unique, Unique, Unique” as a leading engagement ring trend for 2020 – so, a time-tested setting doesn’t exactly fit the bill. 

However, that doesn’t mean the halo setting is going to become obsolete anytime soon. In fact, searches for “halo ring” – without the engagement connotation – remain stronger than ever. This seems in alignment with the movement towards buying, wearing, mixing, and matching fashionable fine jewelry. And notably, this is now widely done without waiting for a significant other or a special occasion. 

Say “hello” to a new breed of halo rings with these 9 dazzling designs

Whether you prefer a traditional take or a fresh reimagining, there’s still lots to love about the halo-style ring.

New interpretations of the halo setting are always popping up, especially in swanky, stylish cocktail rings. These days, we’re seeing creative halos with colored gemstones and dazzling double or triple halos. There are even some partial halos framing unusual center stones in an asymmetrical manner. 

Here are 9 creative ways to get mileage out of the heavenly halo – with some simply exquisite examples to show you just how stunning and versatile this setting can be:

1. Complete your halo with a smokey gray center stone.

Rosalind Asscher cut grey moissanite ring by @kristincoffinjewelry, used with permission.

2. Go for gold with a textured metal halo.

Afton ring by @oliveavejewelry, used with permission.

3. Ditch the white diamonds for a playful rainbow halo ring.

Custom rainbow sapphire and ruby ring by @hutchersongoldsmithing, used with permission.

4. Consider a half or partial halo setting.

Custom parti sapphire ring with partial halo by @megmaskellfinejewellery, used with permission.

5. Dazzle with different-sized stones around your halo setting.

Gravity ring with double halo by @everettfinejewelry, used with permission.

6. Opt for a swirling asymmetrical halo.

Custom semi-halo ring by @abbysparksjewelry, used with permission.

7. Double up with two halos around a pear or marquise center stone.

Custom pear-shaped double-halo ring by @taylorcustomrings, used with permission.

8. Rock a black rhodium-plated halo.

Camellia Petal ring by @annasheffield, used with permission.

9. Create a unique halo-inspired look with stackable rings.

California Sunrise ring with Moondance Ballerina band by @saintmae_, used with permission.

Bonus inspo

Still want a few more ideas? No problem!

• Sneak a hidden halo below your center stone.

• Try an east-west halo setting.

• Select a unique colored center gemstone.

• Choose a halo featuring baguette stones instead of round brilliants.

• Opt for a vintage or vintage-inspired halo ring.

Which of these innovative halo ring designs is your favorite? How do you feel about where the halo-style setting is heading?