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A halo engagement ring is one of the most popular engagement ring designs, admired for its striking presence and precision craftsmanship. Its appeal lies in the way it enhances the brilliance of the centre diamond while maintaining an elegant, balanced structure.
At McGuire Diamonds, every halo engagement ring is created with technical accuracy and fine detail. The spacing between the small diamonds, the alignment of the halo, and the balance between the centre and surrounding stones are all executed to exact measurements. That precision is what gives a halo ring its clean geometry and remarkable sparkle.
A halo engagement ring features a single central diamond — often round, oval, or cushion cut — surrounded by a border, or “halo,” of smaller pavé-castello set diamonds. These smaller stones reflect light back into the centre diamond, intensifying its brilliance and giving the appearance of a larger overall size.
This design dates back to the early 20th century but has remained consistently popular because of its balanced proportions and exceptional sparkle. When crafted correctly, the halo appears as a continuous ring of light around the main diamond.
The technical precision behind the setting is crucial. Each small diamond must be identical in size, colour, and clarity. The spacing must follow the exact contour of the centre diamond’s shape.
The setting must be strong enough to protect the halo yet fine enough to remain elegant.
At McGuire Diamonds, this craftsmanship is executed by hand in Ireland. Every halo ring is designed with exact tolerances so the diamonds sit perfectly aligned, creating a smooth and uniform finish that enhances the ring’s visual symmetry.
As one of Ireland’s leading specialist in lab-grown diamond engagement rings, McGuire Diamonds offers halo designs that merge state-of-the-art technology with master goldsmithing.
Lab-grown diamonds are identical to mined diamonds in structure, durability, and brilliance. The difference lies in their origin: created under controlled laboratory conditions, they offer complete traceability, excellent value, and environmentally responsible.
Lab-grown diamond rings provide superior size and clarity for the same budget compared to mined diamonds. They are certified to the same international grading standards (e.g., GIA ,HRD or IGI) and are indistinguishable without specialist laboratory equipment.
Each McGuire Diamonds halo — whether made with lab-grown or natural diamonds — is set and finished to the same uncompromising standard.
The halo and the solitaire engagement ring are two of the most popular engagement ring styles in Ireland. The difference lies in presentation and optical performance.
A solitaire showcases one central diamond, minimal in design and focused entirely on cut precision. A halo, by contrast, uses a border of smaller stones to accentuate the centre diamond, making it appear larger and more radiant.
For clients who prefer strong visual presence and light performance, the halo is ideal. For those who value minimalism and restraint, a solitaire may be the better match.
The choice of metal affects both the ring’s appearance and longevity. McGuire Diamonds offers halo engagement rings in 18ct white gold, platinum, and yellow gold, each with distinct properties.
18ct white gold delivers a bright, neutral tone that enhances diamond brilliance. It’s a refined, modern choice that pairs perfectly with halo designs. We only use premium high palladium content white gold alloys and rhodium finishing for a high quality finish and long-lasting colour stability.
Platinum is naturally white, dense, and extremely durable. It offers superior wear resistance, making it ideal for clients who want a lifetime ring with minimal maintenance. A platinum halo engagement ring provides a cool, luxurious finish that complements the style.
Yellow gold brings a classic, traditional warmth that many clients still prefer for its timeless character. it’s common for clients to choose yellow gold for the band while keeping the diamond settings in a white metal such as platinum or white gold.
This approach combines the best of both aesthetics: the richness of yellow gold complemented by the reflective brightness of white metal around the diamonds. The contrast ensures that each diamond maintains its natural whiteness and sparkle, while the band retains the warmth and distinction of gold.
The shape of the centre diamond determines both the style and visual performance of a halo engagement ring. Each diamond shape interacts with the surrounding halo differently — influencing sparkle, proportion, and overall character.
The oval halo engagement ring offers a refined, elongated appearance that flatters the hand and appears larger than its carat weight suggests. The shape produces a soft, continuous sparkle and a graceful profile that suits both modern and classic tastes.
Each oval halo is created to exact specifications matching the curvature of the centre diamond. The smaller pavé diamonds are hand-set to mirror the oval’s contour precisely, ensuring a fluid, balanced halo that enhances brilliance without excess bulk.
The round halo engagement ring remains the most timeless and brilliant option. A round brilliant diamond delivers unmatched sparkle, and when surrounded by a finely set halo, it achieves full symmetry and visual harmony.
McGuire Diamonds sets each round halo to precise tolerances, hand-matching the pavé stones for colour, clarity, and brightness. The result is a seamless circle of light that exemplifies classic craftsmanship.
The emerald cut halo engagement ring offers understated sophistication. Its long, open facets produce a mirrored, hall-of-light effect rather than the sparkle of a brilliant cut. The halo around an emerald cut enhances definition and draws attention to the diamond’s clean geometry.
Precision is essential in this style — the rectangular halo must be perfectly parallel to the centre stone’s edges for symmetry and balance. McGuire Diamonds’ emerald cut halos are crafted to those exact standards, creating a refined, architectural appearance.
For over 26 years, McGuire Diamonds has been known throughout Ireland for precision, expertise, and commitment to value. The company leads the Irish market in creating bespoke lab-grown diamond engagement rings, combining advanced technology with the highest standard of traditional craftsmanship.
Every ring is made to the same uncompromising level of finish — no shortcuts, no unnecessary markups, and no compromise on quality. McGuire Diamonds build rings designed to last, made for people who value quality.
A laboratory grown diamond is a diamond that is created in a controlled laboratory environment using advanced technological processes. These diamonds are produced through methods such as Chemical Vapour Deposition (CVD) or High Pressure High Temperature (HPHT), replicating the natural conditions under which diamonds form in the Earth's mantle.
Laboratory grown diamonds possess the same physical, chemical, and optical properties as natural diamonds. They are real diamonds, identical in every way except for their origin.
Unlike natural diamonds, which take billions of years to form, laboratory grown diamonds are created in a matter of weeks. The CVD method involves a carbon-rich gas that breaks down and deposits carbon atoms on a substrate, forming a diamond. The HPHT method mimics the high pressure and high temperature conditions found deep within the Earth to create diamonds.
Laboratory grown diamonds are graded by the same renowned gemological laboratories, such as the Gemological Institute of America (GIA), ensuring their quality and authenticity. They are evaluated based on the four Cs: carat, cut, colour, and clarity.
Because they are created in a lab, these diamonds avoid the ethical and environmental issues associated with traditional diamond mining. This makes them an excellent choice for consumers who prioritise sustainability and ethical sourcing.
Laboratory grown diamonds are typically more affordable than their natural counterparts, offering exceptional value without compromising on quality. This allows you to choose a larger or higher-quality stone within your budget.
Choosing a laboratory grown diamond at McGuire Diamonds means selecting a beautiful, high-quality, and ethically sourced gemstone that embodies both innovation and sustainability.
Formed over billions of years under extreme pressure and temperature deep within the Earth, natural diamonds are unique products of nature. They exhibit the same brilliance, fire, and scintillation as lab grown diamonds.
Created in a controlled laboratory environment, lab grown diamonds possess the same physical, chemical, and optical properties as natural diamonds. To the naked eye, they are indistinguishable from natural diamonds, displaying equal sparkle and beauty.
Both natural and lab grown diamonds are graded by reputable gemological laboratories, such as the Gemological Institute of America (GIA). They are assessed based on the four Cs: carat, cut, colour, and clarity. As a result, wearers can expect the same high standards of quality and brilliance in both types of diamonds.
The mining of natural diamonds can have significant environmental and social impacts, although many companies are adopting more sustainable practices. Wearers who are conscious of these factors may have concerns about the ethical implications of natural diamond sourcing.
Lab grown diamonds offer a sustainable and ethical alternative, as their production avoids the environmental damage and ethical issues associated with mining. This makes them an appealing choice for environmentally and socially conscious wearers.
Due to their rarity and the extensive process required to extract them from the earth, natural diamonds tend to be more expensive.
Typically, lab grown diamonds are more affordable than their natural counterparts. This cost difference allows wearers to opt for larger or higher-quality stones within the same budget, without compromising on beauty or brilliance.
Both natural and lab grown diamonds are extremely durable and suitable for everyday wear. They rank 10 on the Mohs hardness scale, making them resistant to scratches and damage.
The sentimental value of a diamond often depends on the individual wearer. Some may prefer the historical and natural origin of a mined diamond, while others may value the technological innovation and ethical considerations behind a lab grown diamond.