Cathedral Setting With a Hidden Halo: How It Works and What It Costs
By Clint Casmiro, Co-Founder, Smiro Studio · Updated October 22, 2026
Short answer: A cathedral setting has shoulders that rise up the sides to meet the head, so the stone has three connection points instead of one. A hidden halo is a row of small diamonds under the stone that shows only from the side. Together you get extra support and a flash of sparkle, with a clean top view. On our list a hidden halo cathedral setting is $1,599 CAD in 14K gold, $300 more than the same cathedral without the halo, before the centre diamond.
Here is what each part does, and why they go well together.
What is a cathedral setting?
The band rises up on each side in two shoulders to hold the head, like the arches of a cathedral. A plain solitaire meets the head at one point. A cathedral gives it three, so there is more support for the stone over years of wear. Ours are always tucked: the shoulders tuck in from underneath the diamond, so you barely see them from the top. More in cathedral vs solitaire.
What does the hidden halo add?
Sparkle you see from the side. From above it still looks like a solitaire, and the stone keeps its true outline, so a hidden halo does not make it look bigger face up. The small diamonds sit in the basket below the stone, where they are protected. All of it in what a hidden halo is.
Is a cathedral the same as a basket setting?
No, they are two different parts of the ring, so most rings have both. The basket is the part right under the stone that the prongs rise from. The cathedral is how the band climbs up to meet it. Our Oval Tulip Six Petal, for example, is a classic cathedral with a six prong floral basket. If you want petals in the basket, see regular basket vs tulip basket.
When should I choose a cathedral?
For security, from about 3 to 3.5 carats and up. The heavier the stone, the more force it puts on a single joint over years of daily wear, so three connection points make sense. Below that, a solitaire is fine, and on a bigger stone a solitaire works with a thicker band of 2.5 to 3 mm or more.
Will a wedding band sit flush?
Yes, with the right height. Our hidden halo cathedral is a mid-profile setting: the diamond sits just above the band so a straight wedding band stacks flush. See setting height.
What does it cost?
| Setting | Price (CAD) |
|---|---|
| Classic cathedral, setting only | $1,299 |
| Hidden halo cathedral, setting only | $1,599 |
| Either one with a euroshank | +$200 |
| Cushion full bezel with a hidden halo on a cathedral, with a 2 ct lab grown stone | $3,600 |
14K gold, listed October 2026. The hidden halo cathedral is listed at $1,599 in round, oval, cushion, emerald, pear, marquise and radiant.
The full price picture is in how much a hidden halo costs. Want hand engraving on the shoulders too? See a hand engraved radiant cathedral.
Want a hidden halo cathedral built around your stone?
A free 20 minute video call with our team. Bring a photo, a budget, or nothing at all.
Book a free callGet a free estimateQuestions we get about this
What is a cathedral setting with a hidden halo?
A cathedral setting whose shoulders rise up to hold the head, with a row of small diamonds set under the centre stone that shows only from the side.
Is a cathedral setting more secure?
Yes. It gives the head three connection points instead of one. We recommend one from about 3 to 3.5 carats and up.
How much does a hidden halo cathedral cost?
On our list the setting is $1,599 CAD in 14K gold, before the centre diamond. The same cathedral without the halo is $1,299.
Is a cathedral the same as a basket setting?
No. The basket holds the stone, and the cathedral is how the band rises to meet it. Most rings have both.
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