For the past few decades, diamonds and engagement rings went hand in hand to the point where a diamond ring was basically synonymous with an engagement ring.
Fast forward to 2021, and diamond rings being the only option for an engagement ring is a thing of the past. In the luxury products world, we are seeing more and more precious and semi precious gemstone jewelry being purchased, especially for engagement purposes. One of the most popular alternatives to a girl’s best friend, the diamond, is the exquisite emerald.
The idea of an emerald engagement ring is no longer strange. In fact, it is considered unique, trendy, classy, and bold. Whether one goes for the array of emerald solitaire rings out on the market, rings that incorporate several emeralds, or even several different types of stones; emerald stone engagement rings are on the rise.
Before considering purchasing an emerald engagement ring, there are several things that are worth knowing about. For starters, though not in the same class as diamonds simply because they are not as durable, emeralds are one of the four precious gemstones along with diamonds, rubies, and sapphires.
While they are much softer than diamonds, ranking 7 on the Mohs scale of hardness in contrast to a diamond’s 10 ranking, emeralds range greatly in terms of quality and price. This is due to many factors including origin, size, color, clarity, and cut.
Stunning emeralds
Origin
One of the priciest types of emeralds is the Colombian emerald. This emerald is generally more expensive than others simply because it originates from this country known for producing unique, high quality emeralds.
Even though not every emerald that is mined there is indeed superior to other emeralds, it still has the Colombian name, which naturally makes it more expensive.
Size
When it comes to gemstones, size does matter. It’s always hard to locate a large gemstone, especially one of high quality.
This gets even more complex with emeralds as these stunning stones are often heavily flawed, which is more noticeable in larger stones. Therefore, large emerald engagement rings showcasing high quality stones will most likely cost a pretty penny and will be hard to come by.
Color
Emeralds are famously known for their intoxicating green color, but these gemstones do appear in other colors as well.
Since we are talking about green emeralds, color is still a serious factor. If you want to purchase a stone that displays a deep green color as opposed to a paler shade, be prepared to pay the higher cost.
Clarity and Cut
As mentioned before, emeralds often contain inclusions, which can lower the cost of the stone. However, if you are after an emerald stone of high clarity, the price range is high.
The cut of an emerald is closely connected to it’s clarity level. Depending on how many flaws a stone has, an emerald may need to be cut drastically to abolish the inclusions.
It is often worth sacrificing the size for the quality and clarity of the stone, but that can be a personal preference. Most emeralds are cut according to the emerald shape, named after this stone because this is the shape that most compliments its qualities.
The cut used for this shape features the step cut consisting of small step-like levels, hence its name, which by default brings the inclusions closer to the surface, making them more visible. Therefore, it is crucial to determine what aspects of an emerald ring that matters most to you before purchasing one, unless of course, price is not an issue.
In conclusion, emerald engagement rings are wonderful alternatives to diamond engagement rings and have much to offer including color, personality, and charm.
It is also extremely important to have your emerald checked and appraised by an expert, and look for stones that come with proper certification. This way you will know exactly what you are getting and not just what you think you are getting.
However, like any other high-end product, it is imperative to become familiar with the various products and options out there In general so you are satisfied with your final decision and purchase.
