Emerald engagement rings are having a major moment! Once popular only among royalty, these green gemstones have become the go-to choice for couples looking for something different. With their deep, vibrant hues, emeralds aren’t just gorgeous – they’re also the symbol of new beginnings and enduring love, making them a fitting choice for your next big step together.
The charm of these rings isn’t just in their beauty and rarity; it’s also in their rich history and the romantic vibes they bring to any proposal. Plus, when celebrities like Halle Berry and Olivia Wilde rock this green jewelry on their ring fingers, you know they’re something special.
In this emerald engagement ring buying guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know to pick the perfect emerald engagement ring. We’ll cover how to spot a great-quality gem, the best settings to showcase its beauty, and tips on how to purchase an emerald engagement ring that is as unique as your love story.
Read: Can You Wear Emeralds Everyday
What Does an Emerald Engagement Ring Symbolize
Emeralds symbolize true love and lasting commitment. They are also believed to represent friendship and loyalty within romantic relationships. Their lush green color represents growth, renewal, and new beginnings, making them an ideal choice for engagement rings.
All About the Stone: History & Origin of Emerald
Emeralds’ history can be traced back to 330 BC. They were first mined in Egypt. Cleopatra, the queen of Egypt, was notably fond of emeralds. Emeralds have significantly influenced various cultures. The Incas believed emeralds were the tears of the sun god Inti and used them for 500 years in their religious ceremonies and jewelry. The Spanish, known to value gold and silver more than gems, traded emeralds for precious metals. Their trades introduced emeralds’ opulence to European and Asian royalties. That’s not all. Legend has it that emeralds were one of the four gemstones given by God to King Solomon – allowing him to possess unmatched wisdom and power.
How Are Emeralds Graded?
The Gemological Institute of America (GIA) developed the grading scale to maintain consistency in diamond grading. This scale, now the industry standard, grades diamonds based on the 4Cs: cut, color, clarity and carat. Let’s understand what they mean:
Cut
An emerald’s cut refers to its shape, facets, depth, and width. Emeralds are generally cut in a symmetrical form with uniform facets that emphasize their brilliance and color. A deep cut will easily let light escape on the side, giving you a darker emerald. On the other hand, a shallow cut will exhibit less brilliance.
Color
The color of an emerald indicates the impurities of chromium and/or vanadium present in it. Emeralds from around the world have different shades of color, affecting their price and value. It’s graded based on the following:
- Hue: This is the stone’s primary color. Some colors are considered rarer than others. The most desirable hues are bluish-green to yellowish-green.
- Tone: An emerald’s tone refers to how light or dark the stone is, ranging from Very Light to Very Dark.
- Saturation: This refers to the strength and intensity of the emerald’s color, and ranges from dull to pure vivid.
The most valuable emeralds are those with a rich green color. They can be priced higher than a high-quality diamond of the same carat weight.
Clarity
The clarity of an emerald refers to the visibility of inclusions or imperfections in the stone. Almost 99% of natural emeralds have inclusions that include small bits of gasses, minerals and crystals, and other liquids that enter the emerald during the crystallization process. If you spot an emerald without inclusions, it could be synthetic or a simulant. The GIA developed three categories of clarity types for colored gemstones. They are:
Type 1 – These are typically free of inclusions or almost inclusion-free
Type 2 – These are usually included
Type 3 – These are almost always included.
Emeralds naturally fall into the Type 3 gemstone category.
Carat
The carat (ct) is a unit of measurement used to weigh diamonds and gemstones. A one-carat emerald will appear larger than a one-carat diamond because it has a lower density. Large emeralds are hard to come by and hence priced higher.
Also Read: How to Tell if Emerald Is Real
Hardness & Durability
One of the most important things to know before buying an emerald engagement ring is its durability and whether it fits your partner’s lifestyle.
In gemology, hardness refers to how scratch-resistant a stone is. Emeralds rank 7.5-8 on the Mohs scale compared to a diamond’s 10. This means they’re hard enough for everyday use but are more susceptible to scratches and abrasions.
Read: Emerald Hardness and Mohs Scale
Rarity & Price
The pricing of emeralds is based on their quality and rarity. They are 20 times rarer than diamonds, which typically makes them more expensive. Emeralds without inclusions and imperfections are extremely hard to find and command a higher price. Colombian emeralds are the most costly, with some priced as high as $100,000 per carat or more, depending on the color and size.
The price of emerald engagement rings at Angara starts at $369 and goes upwards of $100,000.
Popular Cuts & Shapes for Emerald Engagement Rings
The most popular cut for an emerald is an emerald cut. It features around 57 facets and is usually rectangular but can also be square. The rectangular step cut protects an emerald against damage, and its elongated parallels emphasize the inclusions in an emerald, adding to its beauty.
Aside from an emerald cut, you can choose from various other cuts and shapes. We recommend you consider your partner’s preferences and select a cut and shape that suits their style. Some trending cuts you can opt for include an Asscher cut, cushion cut, oval cut, round cut and heart cut.
Read: Emerald Engagement Ring Meaning
Emerald Engagement Ring Settings
An emerald engagement ring setting refers to how the gemstone is set into a metal band. This can determine the style of the ring and its comfort for daily wear. An important tip for buying an emerald engagement ring is to choose a setting style that represents your love story and suits your partner’s style.
Explore traditional and non-traditional ring settings in styles ranging from elegant to exquisite. Whether you’re looking for a classy style like solitaire, halo, three-stone, etc. or something unique like toi et moi, hidden halo, twisted shank, etc. – there are several options to choose from.
The metal in which your ring is set will also impact its look and shine. While emeralds look stunning against any metal, a lush emerald against yellow gold looks particularly striking. But they also look equally spectacular on a white gold or platinum band.
Here’s a tip you can follow when you’re confused about which metal is best for emerald: pick a band opposite the color wheel from the emerald you chose. This will enhance the gem’s greenness. Say, for example, if your emerald is a bluer hue, pick a yellow band, but if it has a yellow hue, opt for a white band.
Read: Which Metal Is Best for Emerald
Tips for Buying Emerald Engagement Rings
Here are some tips to consider before buying an emerald engagement ring.
Budget
One important tip for emerald engagement ring shopping is to set a budget. Consider your current financial situation while deciding on the budget. There are various rules on how much you should spend on an engagement ring, like the three-month salary rule, but the budget is completely up to you to decide.
Ring size
The average ring size for women in the US ranges from 5 to 7. If you’re trying to keep things hush-hush, read our ring size guide – it’ll help you find the right size without her knowing.
Personalization
Get a one-of-a-kind engagement ring for your partner at Angara. Our multi-award-winning ‘Create With Angara’ feature allows you to design every aspect of your engagement ring from scratch. You can also claim our free engraving option to inscribe a special message on emerald rings for women.
Certification
At Angara, every gemstone comes with an Angara Certificate of Authenticity, which includes detailed product information about the gemstone, including color and carat weight.
Read: Emerald Stone Benefits
The Angara Difference
At Angara, we source high-quality gemstones directly from mines and manufacturers. These conflict-free gemstones are hand-selected to be part of your ring, which is handcrafted by master jewelers. You can easily customize your piece to suit your budget.
Additionally, all our gemstone jewelry comes with an Angara Certificate of Authenticity and a lifetime warranty so you can shop worry-free. We also offer free shipping, easy returns and flexible payment options.
How To Care For Emerald Engagement Rings
It is said that 90% (or more) of emeralds contain filled fractures, which are risky to clean with steam or ultrasonic vibrations. Hot steam can cause oil or unhardened resin to seep out of the fractures, and ultrasonic vibrations can weaken an already-fractured stone. Heat can also damage emeralds because it can extend the fractures.
Hence, the safest way to clean an emerald is to use warm, soapy water and a gentle scrub (like a very soft toothbrush).
Interesting Emerald Engagement Ring Facts
- Emeralds, made from beryl, get their color from traces of chromium and/or vanadium. They can be found in hues ranging from yellow-green to deep jade.
- May birthstone is emerald.
- According to ancient folklore, emeralds were believed to have special qualities, such as helping people see into the future, preventing memory loss, acting as a type of truth potion and deciphering if a person was being honest.
- Emerald was Cleopatra’s favorite gemstone.
- Actress Elizabeth Taylor’s emerald pendant sold for $6,578,500 in 2011, a per-carat record of $280,000.
- Around 70-90% of the world’s emeralds are found in Columbia.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What to look for when buying an emerald engagement ring?
The gemstone’s color is the most important factor to consider when buying an emerald engagement ring. Emeralds come in various hues, with bluish-green being the most sought-after.
2. What to know before buying an emerald engagement ring?
Emeralds rank 7.5-8 on the Moh’s scale, which means they’re more prone to scratches and abrasions. Thus, it’s important to consider your partner’s lifestyle in mind before buying an emerald engagement ring.
3. When to buy an emerald engagement ring?
You should buy an emerald engagement ring three to four months before the set proposal date.
4. How to buy an emerald engagement ring on a budget?
The best place to buy an emerald engagement ring is from a reputable seller like Angara. Our gemstones are 30% lower than our competitors. This helps us cut out the middleman and pass the savings on to you.
5. How to finance an emerald engagement ring?
You can finance an emerald engagement ring by applying for a 0% APR credit card, taking a personal loan or utilizing Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) services like Afterpay, Affirm or Klarna.
6. How to insure an emerald engagement ring?
Insuring your engagement ring is easy. First, you need to get it appraised to determine how much coverage you need. Then, you can get a quote from jewelry insurance providers. After that, choose your provider and apply for insurance.
7. How many carats should an emerald engagement ring be?
The average carat weight of an engagement ring in the US is around 1 to 1.08. However, you should choose a carat weight that fits within your budget.
8. What does an emerald engagement ring symbolize?
An emerald engagement ring symbolizes true love and lasting commitment. It is also a representation of new beginnings.
9. How to clean emerald engagement rings?
The safest way to clean an emerald engagement ring is with warm, soapy water and a soft toothbrush.
10. How to care for emerald engagement rings?
Emeralds are often treated with oil, so it is best to avoid exposing them to extreme heat, which can potentially be damaging.
