Halo rings have been seen on royal brides and Hollywood elites. What are they, and what’s so special about them?
Zawe Ashton caused a stir on the red carpet at the Baftas in March with a diamond on her ring finger.
The actress and director is now confirmed to be engaged to actor Tom Hiddleston. A media frenzy surrounding the couple’s wedding plans followed—but it was her beautiful halo engagement ring that caught the attention of style watchers.
Ashton’s engagement ring features a large oval diamond surrounded by a halo of pavé diamonds, and is set on a gold band.
A halo ring refers to a setting where a collection of smaller pavé or micro-pavé diamonds surround a larger stone in the centre. The stone in the middle can be the same as its surrounding ones—or they can be different, both in gem and shape. It’s believed that this setting can sometimes make the centre stone appear larger than it is.
Before Ashton showed off her rock on the red carpet, halo engagement rings had already gained traction for some time.
Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, née Kate Middleton and wife of Prince William, the Duke of Cambridge, has possibly one of the best-known halo rings in the world on her ring finger. Made by luxury jeweller Garrard, it features a 12-carat oval blue sapphire surrounded by 14 solitaire diamonds, with a 18K white gold band.
See more: What to Know About Investing in Gems, According to a Jewellery Expert
