Emerald engagement rings have never been out of style. While sapphire engagement rings tend to get more coverage (thanks, Duchess!) emerald engagement rings are just as gorgeous. But I didn’t always see it that way.
Click here to shop.
Did I covet every emerald ring that we bought for our estate collection at RLJ? Duh. But I thought they were relegated to cocktail parties and birthstone rings. I remember when Halle Berry got engaged with an emerald engagement ring, I had some qualms – could an emerald properly withstand a lifetime of love and happiness as a center stone?
Click here to shop.
Emeralds are a precious gem, along with sapphire, ruby and diamonds. They’re a member of the beryl family (like aquamarine), and while they’re a relatively tough 8 on the Mohs scale of hardness, it’s their internal characteristics that create the problem. Emeralds, because of their crystal structure, are super prone to fractures. This particular type of inclusion makes the stone brittle, and it requires special treatment for emeralds. They can’t be cleaned, serviced, and generally abused as much as diamond engagement rings (though, seriously, be careful with your diamond rings too!)
Click here to shop.
So the persnickety nature of emeralds made me wary of their use in engagement rings. But over the years, my heart has grown two sizes. To include more room for emerald engagement ring love. In my 2017 engagement ring trend post, I shouted out two in particular that make my heart go pitter-patter.
Gorgeous, right? Add to this the fact that even a super high-quality emerald will still cost less than its diamond counterpart, and there’s even more to love. A big, beautiful ring that has antique vibes, is very unique, and super luxe? Sign me up. But how do we get around the fact that emeralds are a bit high maintenance?
Click here to shop.
The way to make sure your emerald engagement ring lasts and lasts is by prioritizing the setting. A bezel setting is ideal to protect your center stone, but that’s not everyone’s style. A halo can be very protective too, and there’s a lot to love about a cushioning layer of diamonds around your ring. And even a classic prong setting can work, provided you take extra care of your ring (you can read the basics for diamonds here.) Make sure your ring gets at least an annual check up, and consult your jeweler first before cleaning it – they can give you a sound cleaning routine to keep your emerald sparkly and safe.
Click here to shop.
If you’re falling in love fast with emerald engagement rings, but you’re really hesitant about the special care they require, I suggest checking out a diamond engagement ring with emerald accents. You still get that Old World feel, a pop of color, and a standout ring, but with a lot less to worry about. If one of the smaller emeralds is lost or damaged, your replacement cost (even with insurance, which you need) will be much less.
Click here to shop.
Have any questions about emeralds or emerald engagement rings? E-mail me! Or leave a comment! This gemstone in particular is so mesmerizing, I’m happy to chat about it all day!
