Round Cut Lab Grown Diamond Halo Ring on a Pave Band in Silver, 10K, 14K and 18K Gold

A round brilliant laboratory grown diamond ringed by a close set halo of small rounds, on a band pave set down both shoulders. It is the most recognisable halo design there is, and the reason it keeps being chosen is simple arithmetic: the halo makes the centre stone read a good deal larger than its carat weight.

At a glance

• Centre stone: Round brilliant laboratory grown diamond
• Carat options: 2, 3, 4 and 5 carat
• Colour and clarity: E colour, VVS2 clarity
• Certificate: IGI, included free
• Setting: Four claw centre inside a round halo
• Accent stones: Round brilliant laboratory grown diamonds in the halo and pave shoulders, E colour, VVS2
• Band: Pave set shoulders, plain at the back
• Metals: 925 silver, 10K, 14K and 18K gold in yellow, rose and white
• Made: To order in Surat, India

What the halo actually does

A ring of small diamonds set tight against the girdle extends the bright area of the ring outward, so the eye measures the whole disc rather than the centre stone alone. On a 2 carat centre the effect is roughly that of a stone a carat or more larger. It also fills the outline completely, which is why halo rings photograph so well.

Set close, with no metal showing

The halo stones are set right up against the centre with the minimum of metal between them. A halo with a visible ring of gold between the centre and the accents separates into two objects and stops working. Ours is set tight so the whole face reads as one disc of diamond.

Pave that stops halfway

The shoulder stones run about halfway down each side and then the band goes plain. Pave all the way round photographs well and wears badly, because the stones under the finger take the abrasion and the ring cannot be resized without cutting through set metal. Stopping the pave where it does keeps the sparkle where you see it and leaves solid metal at the back.

What laboratory grown means here

A laboratory grown diamond is a diamond. It is crystallised carbon with the same cubic structure, the same 10 on the Mohs scale, the same refractive index of 2.42 and the same dispersion as a mined stone. Ours are grown by chemical vapour deposition and high pressure high temperature methods, then cut and polished by hand. This is not moissanite, not cubic zirconia and not a simulant. A gemmologist testing it will read diamond, because it is diamond.

Metals

Choose 925 sterling silver, or 10K, 14K or 18K gold in yellow, rose or white. This ring was photographed in white metal, and every metal is made to order and priced above. White gold is rhodium plated and will want replating every one to two years.

Every centre stone arrives IGI certified

The centre diamond is graded by IGI, the International Gemological Institute, and the certificate comes with the ring at no extra charge. It states the carat weight, the E colour grade, the VVS2 clarity grade, the measurements and the girdle inscription, and confirms in writing that the stone is laboratory grown. Every halo and pave accent is matched to the same E and VVS2 grade. This matters more on a halo than on any other design, because a ring of slightly warm accents sitting against the centre stone makes a colourless diamond look grey.

Made to order in our own workshop

Mapple Gems is a family run workshop in Surat, India, where most of the world's diamonds are cut and polished. The halo is built to the diameter of the individual centre stone so the accents sit tight all the way round, and the pave is bead set by hand with both shoulders matched to each other before the shank is closed. Allow two to three weeks for making, plus shipping.

Looking after it

Warm water, mild washing up liquid and a soft toothbrush. A halo has a lot of small gaps that trap hand cream and soap, and a dull halo dulls the whole ring, so clean it more often than you would a plain solitaire. Take it off for the gym, gardening and swimming.

Questions we are asked

What colour and clarity are the diamonds? The centre round and every halo and pave accent are E colour and VVS2 clarity, on all metals and all carat weights.

Does the carat weight include the halo and pave? No. The 2, 3, 4 and 5 carat options refer to the centre round brilliant. The halo and shoulder stones are in addition.

How much bigger does the halo make it look? Roughly a carat to a carat and a half larger by eye, depending on the centre size.

Is the certificate really free? Yes. The IGI report for the centre stone is included in the price on every variant.

Will a wedding band sit flush? Almost. The halo sits slightly proud of the shank, so a straight band leaves a small gap at the centre. A contoured band closes it, and we make those to match.

Can it be resized? Yes, at the back where the band is plain. One or two sizes either way is straightforward.

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