RINGS

Let Me See Your Halo

The now-ubiquitous halo engagement ring—that is, a solitaire surrounded by several smaller stones, typically diamonds—has evolved from trend to classic design. But not all halos are created equal; the style doesn't have to follow the circular standard. It can be vintage or modern, romantic or minimal. Whatever your aesthetic, there's a halo ring to fit. — Emma Frankart Henterly

PHOTO BY TIM JOHNSON

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1 Verragio 14k yellow gold ring with pear center stone and 0.45ctw halo/band, $2,750; 2 Noam Carver 14k white gold ring with round center stone and 0.93ctw halo, $4,095; 3 Roman + Jules 14k white gold ring with princess center stone and 0.28ctw halo/band, $1,725; 4 Diamonds Direct Designs 14k rose gold ring with oval center stone and 0.3ctw halo/band, $1,710; 5 Noam Carver 14k rose gold ring with oval center stone and 0.72ctw halo/band, $3,285; 6 Sylvie Collection 14k white gold ring with pear center stone and 0.47ctw halo/band, $2,420; 7 Sylvie Collection 14k white gold ring with oval center stone and 0.67ctw halo/band, $2,740; 8 Worthington Jewelers 14k white and rose gold ring with round center stone and 0.27ctw halo/band, $1,575; 9 Tacori platinum ring with emerald-cut center stone and 1.97ctw halo/band, $14,890; 10 Classique Creations 14k yellow gold ring with marquise center stone and 0.31ctw halo, $1,610. Prices are for settings only; center stones not included. Numbers 2, 6, 7 are from Alexanders Jewelers, 1, 4, 9, 10 from Diamonds Direct, and 3, 5, 8 from Worthington Jewelers.

Awesome Alternatives

An unconventional engagement stone can help you shine bright like a diamond—without one.

BY JACKIE MANTEY

Diamonds are popular for a reason. Nothing outshines their legacy and longevity.

“Diamonds are part of the traditional love story,” says Tery Vari, the Ohio market vice president of Diamonds Direct. The national retailer carries responsibly sourced, natural gemstones. “Diamonds are the hardest substance on Earth and are guaranteed to stand the test of time. They reflect more light than other gemstones, making the scintillation beyond compare.”

But this workhorse of a rock has some sister stones that offer a unique look to lovers with a style all their own. Here are seven alternative engagement ring options and what to consider before putting a ring on it—or it on a ring.

SAPPHIRE “My recommendations for alternative engagement ring stones would include natural sapphires, rubies and emeralds,” Vari says. “I would suggest sapphires and rubies over emeralds, as they are more durable.”

Sapphires also were the engagement stone of choice for the ancient Romans. And though they are most recognizable in their deep, almost otherworldly blue shade, sapphires come in all colors of the rainbow and can be custom-cut into any shape, says Kathryn Givens, sales supervisor at Worthington Jewelers.

“It has a very high rating on the Mohs scale, which measures hardness,” Givens says. “It is also a stone that allows for some reflection of light within the stone—like diamonds, just not quite as sparkly. They are considered a precious gemstone, so you often see them set with diamonds next to or around them.”

RUBY From ruby-strewn legends of princes and pirates to the ruby-red slippers of a place called home, these valuable stones have long symbolized powerful, passionate emotions. Thanks to their hardness, rubies speak smart as well as heart.

“The most important aspect of using an alternative stone is that you want to consider stones that have a hardness that can last for a lifetime,” says Shane Hampton, manager at Alexanders Jewelers. “If not choosing a diamond, we recommend ruby or sapphire. They both have a hardness of 9 [on the Mohs scale], so the stone will last.”

MOISSANITE Eco- and budget-friendly moissanite has similar brilliance and colorlessness as a diamond and is closer to a diamond in hardness and durability than cubic zirconia, rating 9.5 on the Mohs scale (diamonds are rated at 10).

“We sell moissanite as an alternative to diamond,” says Givens at Worthington Jewelers. “For customers who still want a big, sparkly, white center stone, it has become very popular.”

MORGANITE It’s pink! Morganite is a mineral that includes both emerald and aquamarine, so it comes correct with the sparkle, and it ranks around a 7 or an 8 on the Mohs scale. A timeless rose gold band complements the unconventional color perfectly. Fun fact: It was named for financier and gem collector J.P. Morgan, of JPMorgan Chase banking fame.

OPAL This natural gemstone has a dreamy, milky appearance with flecks of shimmery color throughout. Though romantic, opal is much softer and more porous than many stones.

“Be very careful wearing a softer gemstone like an opal,” Vari says. “[Soft] gemstones are more likely to chip, crack, break or suffer abrasions over time. If your heart gets broken easily, a softer stone may not be for you.”

Danielle Richardson sports a pink tourmaline and diamond halo engagement ring that husband Dwaylon Richardson gave her. (Comfort Photography)

A MODERN TWIST

For someone who likes the tradition of a diamond ring but doesn’t care for the everyonehas-one ubiquity of a colorless diamond, a new trend has emerged in the engagement ring world. Salt and pepper diamonds have inclusions, or flaws, that appear gray, black and white. Their smoky look is on fire with modern couples. Especially, Givens says, in a rose cut—a flat bottom with a dome-shaped crown.

“With popular stones like pale pink morganite in rose gold, or rustic salt and pepper diamonds, this question of ‘Is this too trendy?’ comes up often,” she adds. “We always assure our customers that if they love it now, they will love it then. It is a symbol that they will cherish … because that is what their partner proposed to them with.”

Givens recommends considering your lifestyle. Someone who gardens twice a week or goes to CrossFit every morning wouldn’t do well with an opal ring.

“If their heart is set on it, then we usually go by the same rules of wisdom,” Givens says. “It should be the last thing you put on in the morning before leaving the house, the first thing you take off when you get home. No heavy, hands-on work; no [household] chemicals or chlorinated pools. No working out in your rings, and, most people are surprised by this one, but no sleeping in them either.”

EMERALD At once dark with depth and vibrant with color, emerald’s green hues and durability give an engagement ring a classic elegance with a contemporary sensibility. Their antique, art deco-style complexity is particularly lovely in a rectangular bullet cut—also known, unsurprisingly, as an emerald cut. œ