Let’s be honest – There’s no feeling quite like the one you get when you look at your partner and decide you want to spend the rest of your life with her. And while words may not be enough to express that emotion, finding the perfect ring to pop the question with is definitely a step in the right direction. Of course, if your leading lady is a fan of all things green, you can’t go wrong with an emerald stunner. But wait, how to buy an emerald engagement ring?
That’s where our emerald engagement ring buying guide comes in!
You see, when it comes to picking an engagement ring for women, there are several factors to consider, like the ring style, its metal and most importantly, whether you want to go for a natural emerald or a lab-grown one.
Regardless of what you choose, this guide has all the information you need to pick a piece your girl will happily scream ‘yes’ to!
Natural Vs. Lab-Grown Emeralds: Is There a Difference?
Yes, but it isn’t as big as you think!
You see, while natural emeralds are formed deep within the Earth, lab-grown emeralds are created in the controlled environment of a laboratory.
And while that may make them seem different, in reality, these lab-grown beauties share the same physical, optical and chemical properties as their natural counterparts which means that they’re 100% real.
Here, the main difference between the two lies in their clarity and price point.
Unlike natural emeralds, lab-grown emeralds have few to no inclusions (tiny flaws that occur during the gem’s formation). Also, lab-grown emeralds are more affordable than natural emeralds.
Also Read: Guide to Buying Natural and Lab-Grown Ruby Engagement Rings
So, How to Pick an Emerald Engagement Ring?
When it comes to emerald, finding the perfect natural or lab-grown engagement ring isn’t as tough as you may think. All you need to do is consider the factors mentioned below:
The 4Cs
Signifying the color, clarity, cut and carat weight of a gemstone, the 4Cs are the foundation for evaluating, grading and deciding the value of a stone.
1. Color
When people ask us for tips on how to choose an emerald engagement ring, we typically tell them to pay attention to the color of the stone.
Why?
Because when it comes to colored gems, the stone’s hue is one of the most important markers of its beauty. In fact, this aspect can be better explained by gemologists who break it down into three components:
a) Hue
This refers to the color of the stone. The basic hues here are yellow, orange, red, blue, violet, green and purple. It’s worth noting here that white, black and brown indicate tones and saturation, not hues.
b) Saturation
This refers to the intensity of a gem’s hue.
c) Tone
This indicates the stone’s relative lightness or darkness.
For the most part, the highest values go to stones with strong, rich colors and pure hues.
Coming back to emeralds, the relative amounts of iron, chromium and vanadium determine its color. Based on the same, this gem can be found in several shades ranging from light green to rich green.
Emeralds with a bluish-green to deep green hue that feature vivid saturation and not a very dark tone are most preferred here. Needless to say, these gems are excellent choices for emerald engagement rings for women.
Did You Know?
Columbia is currently considered to be the best-known source of deep green emeralds.
Also Read: Are Emeralds a Good Option for Promise Rings?
2. Clarity
Fun fact: Emeralds have several visible inclusions called ‘jardin,’ which is the French word for ‘garden.’ They’re named so because of their gorgeous garden-like or mossy appearance which enhances the beauty of the gem and makes it all the more eye-catching.
That said, do note that the clarity (absence of flaws) and transparency of this stone are closely linked. And while eye-visible inclusions are generally accepted, they can severely reduce the value of the emerald if they impact its clarity and transparency.
Our Suggestion: If inclusions aren’t your girl’s thing, lab-grown emeralds are the way to go. Because they’re created in a lab, these gemstones have few to no inclusions, which makes them a great choice for engagement rings.
3. Cut
The cut of a gem refers to the arrangement of facets needed to create an attractive face-up appearance.
Generally speaking, emeralds can get damaged during the cutting, polishing and setting process.
To avoid or at least minimize this possibility, emeralds are usually cut using the emerald-cut. Sometimes called a step-cut or trap-cut, this cut is specifically designed for emeralds and is used to protect them from mechanical strain and chipping.
And the fact that it enhances their overall beauty by maximizing their saturation, hue and tone… Now, that’s just the cherry on top.
4. Carat Weight
A gemstone’s carat weight refers to how much it weighs. Here, 1 carat = 200 milligrams.
Interestingly, emeralds are less dense than diamonds. Because of this, they’re noticeably larger than diamonds of the same carat weight.
Generally, emeralds that weigh 1 to 5 carats are commonly used as center stones. Having said that, it’s worth noting that while fine emeralds are incredibly rare in any size, larger emeralds can cost quite a pretty penny.
Our suggestion: If your lady love has her heart set on a large stone, we recommend opting for a lab-grown emerald (which is more economical). Here, not only will a lab-grown emerald engagement ring make her happy, but it’ll also help you stay within your budget.
Shape
IMO, once you settle on the perfect stone, the next trick to finding an emerald engagement ring is picking the right shape.
While a rectangular shape is a great option, if you’re looking for a shape that reflects your partner’s traditional nature, then round is the one to opt for. Similarly, the oval is a fabulous choice for any woman with a bold personality. And finally, if your love is someone who hates following the rules, you can’t go wrong with a pear shape.
Also Read: What Does an Emerald Engagement Ring Symbolize?
Setting
1. Bezel
Because of their relatively low durability, a protective setting like the bezel is recommended when it comes to emerald engagement rings. Here, a rim of metal covers the entire girdle (part of the stone that defines its outline) of the gem, thus protecting it from any chips and fractures.
2. Prong
A classic option, this setting constitutes tiny metal claws that protrude from a metal basket to delicately cradle your emerald and keep it in place.
Ring Style
1. Solitaire
Featuring a single gemstone, the solitaire is undoubtedly one of the most popular options for engagement rings. It symbolizes the commitment and love that exists between partners and is a fabulous choice for your forever-elegant partner.
2. Halo
Constituting several small diamonds that surround the emerald center stone and spotlight its beauty, the halo is a great option if your girl is a fan of all things extravagant.
3. Nature-Inspired
Considering the rich green hue of the stone and its jardin, it’s probably no surprise that nature-inspired designs are often the go-to choice for emerald engagement rings. And if your girl is someone who loves the outdoors, then this bandwagon is definitely one you should jump on!
Metal
Platinum and white gold are great options for yellowish emeralds whereas we suggest teaming bluish emeralds with yellow gold. These pairings enhance the green of the gemstone and make it appear purer.
Apart from the above, rose gold is also a phenomenal option for emerald. This is simply because red and green are on opposite sides of the color wheel and as such, the red of the metal will make the green of the emerald pop.
All said and done, if you can’t find the perfect sparkler, you can always design your own engagement ring with our Create With Angara feature. From the overall style of the piece to the design of the ring shank, every aspect of the engagement ring can be customized by you here. This will ensure that you wind up with a beauty that both you and your partner are happy with.
Care Tips
Unfortunately, even though emerald features a 7.5-8 rating on the Mohs scale of mineral hardness it isn’t suitable for daily wear. This is simply because its inclusions tend to leave it more vulnerable to damage. So, remember to remove your sparkler before performing any strenuous activities like cleaning, working out or even swimming. Furthermore, avoid cleaning your gem with an ultrasonic or steam cleaner as that can damage it.
We hope this natural and lab-grown emerald engagement ring buying guide helps you get the ring of her dreams with ease!
Also Read: Guide to Wearing Emerald Jewelry
