One of the most rewarding aspects of planning an engagement or renewing your vows is buying a ring that can symbolize your love and commitment for each other. Often, this is also one of the most stressful aspects, as you never know if your partner will love the ring you get. The choice between a pavé vs halo style can further intensify this decision.
Pavé wraps and hidden halos are customizations you can add to your ring to make it more stunning and memorable. However, there are five key differences between the two:
- Their physical appearance
- Purpose
- Diamond shape
- Room for error
- Durability and longevity
The four aforementioned key differences will be expounded, as well as the similarities of a pavé wrap and a hidden halo. Some tips on how to choose which of the two to get are also given.
Key Differences Between Pavé Wrap vs Hidden Halo
1. Physical Appearance
The word “pavé” means pavement in French, which refers to the way the diamonds are set around the ring. Pavé wrap engagement rings consist of a shank with lines of stones, thus giving the appearance of a pavement of sparkle.
A hidden halo is a set of small diamonds that surrounds the base of the center stone. This type of halo setting is called “hidden” because the halo itself is not visible when viewed from above. It is only seen when viewed from the side or at other angles.
2. Purpose
A pavé wrap can make your wedding band more breath-taking and striking. The shank itself becomes more brilliant with a pavé wrap due to the signature pavement of sparkles. Strategic placement of diamonds can also make the center stone appear larger.
Hidden halos serve the purpose of emphasizing and adding another dimension to the center stone. Center stones appear 15% larger with a hidden halo around its base; it is specifically designed to highlight the precious stone on the center of your ring.
3. Diamond Shape
Pavé rings generally only use one diamond shape, which is the round and brilliant diamond. This allows the brilliance to be optimized, regardless of if the diamonds are small or big.
Contrastingly, hidden halos work well with diamonds of any shape. Whether it be round, radiant, oval, or another shape, a hidden halo can be applied to accentuate the center stone.
4. Room for Error
Pavé rings are either very difficult or downright impossible to resize. This is especially true for pavé rings in which diamonds are present in a large portion of the shanks; reducing the coverage of the pavé will make resizing easier.
Rings with a hidden halo are typically easier to resize. However, there are other aspects of a ring that can render it unfit to be resized, such as the metal used and the design.
5. Durability and Longevity
Both pavé wraps and hidden halos provide a unique touch of elegance to a ring. However, their structural differences can influence their durability over time.
Pavé Wraps: The nature of the pavé setting involves many tiny diamonds being set closely together, held by small prongs. This makes pavé wraps more susceptible to stone loss, especially with daily wear and tear. Regular maintenance checks are crucial to ensure that the tiny diamonds are secure and that no prong has loosened.
Hidden Halos: The hidden halo is positioned underneath the main diamond, which can offer a little more protection from daily activities compared to pavé wraps. However, the risk with hidden halos is potential damage to the small diamonds if the ring is knocked from the side.
In conclusion, while both styles have their respective vulnerabilities, choosing between a pavé wrap and a hidden halo often boils down to personal aesthetics and how the ring will fit into one’s daily lifestyle. Proper care and periodic check-ups with a jeweler can extend the life of both styles.
Similarities Between Pavé Wrap and Hidden Halo
Cost
Given that additional diamonds are used in both pavé wraps and hidden halos, these rings are typically pricier than other types of settings. This higher cost also accounts for the supplementary labor and equipment necessary to make the product.
However, with that said, utilizing a pavé wrap or hidden halo for your ring will also end up saving you some money as well. Instead of buying a ring with a bigger carat size diamond, these ring settings will allow you to get “more bling for your buck.”
Versatility
There are several types of pavé settings, such as the micro pave, the U-cut pave, the French pave, the petite pave, the bright cut pave, and the scalloped pave. Pavé settings can work on many types of shanks as well.
You can opt to have the diamonds in your pavé to be clustered. This will make it look like one large diamond instead of multiple lines of small diamonds.
Besides working with diamonds of any shapes, hidden halos also enable you to mix metals in your engagement ring without compromising the overall aesthetic.
It is also possible to utilize a hidden halo and a pavé setting at the same time. Hidden halos work well with other setting styles, such as solitaire and channel. Furthermore, it can accentuate gemstones and precious stones of any color.
Popularity
Both the pavé wrap and hidden halo are enjoying increasing popularity. Their cost-effectiveness and versatility make it appealing for a diverse demographic; young couples and old couples alike can find a ring with a pavé wrap or hidden halo that perfectly captures the essence of their relationship.
Maintenance
Rings with a pavé wrap or a hidden halo require more maintenance than other types of rings. Dirt and grime can stick to areas that are hard to reach. As such, your cleaning schedule must be more frequent to ensure that the condition of your ring does not degrade.
You may be tempted to simply wash it or use an ultrasonic cleaner for areas that are difficult to reach. Make sure to ask your jeweler or retailer what cleaning method would be best to use; some, such as the ultrasonic cleaner, require a durable and structurally sound ring.
Functionality
Center stones of engagement rings with a hidden halo typically have a higher setting. This is necessary so the hidden halo can be placed in the first place. Pavé rings have a number of sharp edges.
These physical aspects of such rings are important to consider, as you may find that they can be an obstruction to your job or everyday life. If you or your partner work in professions that require gloves in the workplace, such as medicine, food and beverage, or manufacturing, these rings may get in the way.
Personalization
You can generally get engravings on rings with a pavé wrap or a hidden halo. However, physical characteristics and features of the wedding band itself can dictate whether jewelers can add an inscription on it.
How to Choose Which One to Get
Budget
As mentioned earlier, rings with a pavé wrap or hidden halo are generally costlier than other types of rings. Although there are affordable options in various stores, your budget is always something important to prioritize.
Preference
If you are choosing a ring for your partner, you must take into consideration their preference and personality. Pavé wraps and hidden halos add different qualities to the ring; whereas a hidden halo is more subtle, pavé wraps make the band flashier. Think about what your partner would prefer between the two.
Consider the Pros and Cons
Besides the financial and personal aspects of choosing the perfect ring, you also have to keep in mind the pros and cons of your options. This adds a layer of practicality to your decision-making. The aspects listed in the earlier subheadings, namely the key differences and similarities, can help you see the pros and cons of each style.
Inspect Each Ring Carefully
When looking through catalogues and boutiques, you must check each ring’s quality and craftsmanship. Some significant aspects to keep in mind include:
- Are the diamonds or stones secure in their position? You can assess this by watching if the stones wiggle.
- Is the pavé setting done evenly? Are the distances uniform? Not only will uneven and varied pavé placements look displeasing, but it also heightens the risk for damage.
- Are there cracks in the diamonds or stones? Using a loupe, or a small magnifying glass, might be necessary to spot cracks, especially if they are small.
Pave Wrap vs Hidden Halo: Summary
A pavé wrap and a hidden halo are customizations you can add to your ring to enhance its appearance and make it even more special. There are four key differences between the two, namely their physical appearance, purpose, diamond shape they work well with, and the room for a sizing error.
