Are Emeralds a good choice for an engagement ring?
For a very long time, diamonds have been the center stone choice for a bride’s engagement ring.
The diamond industry, especially De Beers marketed diamonds so well that it seems to be the only engagement ring choice. That’s why, when thinking about an engagement ring, the average consumer associates it only with diamonds. Most people forget that the ‘big three’ gemstones, which include Sapphires, Rubies, and Emeralds also exist.
Traditionally, prior to De Beers’ remarkable marketing campaign, royalty or noble elites frequently opted for gemstones as gifts because, in fact, they were equally or even ‘rarer’ than the unexciting ‘white diamond.’
Now let us look at the difference between diamonds & emeralds by comparing their characteristics as shown in the table below.
Difference between Emerald and Diamond Table
| FACTORS | EMERALD | DIAMOND |
| Composition | Beryl | Carbon |
| Highly durable, resistant to scratching | 7.5-8 (relatively soft) | 10 (Hardest known mineral) |
| Durability | Requires care as it can get scratched | Highly durable, resistant to scratching |
As you can see diamonds are a lot more resistant and durable than emeralds. Does it make a better choice for an engagement ring? Let us continue with the discussion below.
Emeralds have become a new trend in recent times
From the inquiries I get today, it’s evident that emerald rings are becoming increasingly popular. Furthermore, more couples are looking for something different and out of the ordinary. Consequently, they are choosing colored gemstones like an Emerald, which can add beauty, color, and spunk to their engagement rings, as you will see from ring examples below.
You must have heard the phrase, ‘Beauty lies in the eye of the beholder’, which conveys the idea that the perception of beauty is subjective and varies from person to person. Emeralds, like all gemstones, embody the very idea. While some are captivated by their rich green hues, conversely, others may find beauty in a different color or other gemstones.
So, if green makes your heart go aflutter, then emerald may be a choice for your engagement ring. Now, let us see why an emerald can be a good choice for an engagement ring.
SO, WHAT MAKES AN EMERALD A GOOD CHOICE FOR AN ENGAGEMENT RING?
Rare
Emeralds are much more rare than diamonds. Consequently, due to their rarity, high-quality emeralds command a higher price, and this appreciates in value each year.
Unique
Emeralds have an intense green color. This uniqueness can set it apart from the typical choice of a diamond engagement ring. Therefore, if you love the color green, consider that emerald may be a good choice for you.
History
Emeralds have a history of being treasured by various kings, queens, and civilizations. Emeralds signified wealth, power, fertility, and immortality and it is known that Cleopatra used to love wearing them. What better ambassador for Emeralds!
Popularity
Emeralds have become hugely popular amongst celebrities around the world. Victoria Beckham (reportedly costing £700,000), Jaqueline Kennedy Onassis (2.84 carat Emerald stone set in her ring), Rita Ora (Columbian Emerald ring worth US$500,000) and Halle Berry (4-carat Columbian Emerald ring worth US$200,000) are a few of the celebrities wear emerald engagement rings.
It is rare to find flawless emeralds. For that reason, they are typically sold at auctions at overwhelming prices. Consequently, their rarity and demand contribute to their high market value. One on the top of the list would be the ‘Rockefeller Emerald’, 18.4 carats sold for US$5.5 million. The gem was originally bought by John D. Rockefeller for his wife.
Getting a beautiful, intense, and eye-clean emerald is no easy feat and comes with its own challenges.
Seeing is believing
Like any colored gemstone, the color is very subjective. Furthermore, the vivid hue of color is what gives the gemstone its oomph factor, in addition to its clarity and fire. The camera just fails to capture the true essence of their beauty. Hence, it is very important that you either see the emerald for yourself or, alternatively, have a trusted gemologist have a look at the stone before the purchase.
Certificate
A gemstone certificate may not be able to tell you all the details that may help you with your purchase.
Limited Supply
The supply of emeralds in the market is far less than diamonds. Moreover, they are found in select regions like Colombia, Zambia, and Brazil. Emeralds are also formed in tougher geological conditions as compared to diamonds, which makes mining more difficult for them compared to diamonds that are found in more regions and are formed in more common geological conditions across the world. As a result, there are fewer of them to compare with.
Knowing what you are buying:
Most retailers globally may not have enough experience in dealing with emeralds. They may be just sellers who may not have a good eye or knowledge to explain the different treatments they have gone through.
HOW SHOULD ONE GO ABOUT BUYING AN EMERALD ENGAGEMENT RING?
When buying an emerald, one should consider six factors which I have listed below. Consequently, they can determine the correct price and quality.
We called these as 4Cs + OT method.
- Color – It is defined three dimensionally- hue, tone, and saturation.
- Carat Weight
- Clarity – in terms of number of inclusions and transparency of the stone (opaque, translucent, or transparent).
- Cut Grade – In terms of how sparkle and light return the stone has.
- Origin – Where the emerald is from? Certain origins command a higher price.
- Treatment – What level of treatment has the emerald gone through? The more treatment the cheaper it gets.
For high-quality emeralds, we can verify a lot of these criteria based on reliable third-party certificates.
Most gem certificates will state the carat weight, color, origin, and treatment.
We highly recommend that you verify the color from a trustworthy jeweler, gem dealer, or gemologist. Only through the naked eye can we verify the three-dimensional color.
Emeralds come in many color ranges
By definition, emeralds’s dominant color needs to be a ‘green’ hue with medium ‘saturation’ or above. If the beryl (emeralds family) is too light in saturation or tone, gemologists or reputable labs will call the gemstones as a ‘green beryl’ and not an emerald. Emeralds can also have slight side colors like bluish-green or yellowish-green.
Some definition of emerald color definitions used in the trade is provided below:
- Vivid Green
- Vivid Very-Slight Bluish-Green
- Vivid Very-Strong Bluish-Green
- Green
- Very-Slight Bluish-Green
- Very-Strong Bluish-Green
- Yellowish-Green
EXAMPLE OF EMERALD RINGS WE HAVE MADE IN THE PAST ARE SHOWN BELOW:
Emerald Engagement Ring Good Engagement Ring? Option One
Video:
Custom made with Ultra-Rare GRS certified, ‘Top-Muzo Green’ Vivid Green 3.88 carat Colombian Emerald supported with tapered Diamonds & 18K White Gold.
Emerald Engagement Ring Good Engagement Ring? Option Two
Video:
Custom made with GIA certified 1.22 carat Zambian Emerald and 18K Yellow Gold!
Emerald Engagement Ring Good Engagement Ring? Option Three
Video:
Custom made with this man ring with GIA Certified 1.73 carats Vivid Green Emerald set in 18K Yellow Gold!
Emerald Engagement Ring Good Engagement Ring? Option Four
Video:
Custom made with 1.63 carat Round Vivid Green Emerald center supported with 0.49-carat side diamonds and Platinum (PT950).
What is our Custom Make Process?
- Provide us a design you would like to make.
- We will then forward you a ‘rough’ price quotation.
- Once the price is agreed upon we start the 3D CAD Design process – an example of what the CAD looks like is provided below.
- Once the design is approved we will custom-make the ring for you. The total time from start the finish usually takes 3 to 5 weeks.
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Thai Native Gems Gemstone Search & Custom Engagement Ring service (Best way to buy gemstones in Bangkok):
If you are in the market looking for the best gemstone and custom handmade engagement ring – Contact Us – and let us know what your budget is and what you are looking for.
From this initial information, we will swiftly find and email you gemstone options available in the market right now. Unlike other traditional or online dealers, I am not looking to sell you anything. We will provide you honest, frank, and objective opinion on what we think is best in the budget you offer.
This service is free, and there absolutely no commitment to buy any of our suggestions. The only thing you have to do is not respond to our email and you won’t hear from us again! So, you truly have nothing to lose!
How do we compile this gemstone list? Our search process is provided below:
1) We first will contact our local gemstone supply network and check if there are any stones that fit your requirements in Bangkok. We have over 50 contacts in Bangkok and will check ALL to make sure we can provide you with the best deal.
2) If not satisfied, we will then check online through our extensive global network. However, we usually do this as a last resort as we prefer seeing the gemstone in person to make sure the color is accurate and as described.
What type of engagement rings can you make and how are they made?
1) We usually set our engagement rings in 18k yellow or white gold or 950 platinum settings. Our rings are all hand-crafted and made by highly skilled Thai craftsmen.
Examples in some of the rings we made you can see on our YouTube channel and are shown below:
YouTube Channel PLAY LIST
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Contact us today to get all your wholesale gemstones, diamonds and jewelry needs. We can Source, Search and Supply anything you require.
What will you get if you contact us
- Start a conversation with us at FB.com/ThaiNativeGems/.
- Get wholesale and highly competitive prices of gemstones & diamonds from anywhere through our extensive network of contacts around the world.
- All stones sold by us is verified in house by our GIA Graduate Gemologist or certified.
- We provide personalized service and NOT the same old “One Size Fits All” Approach.
You can learn more by clicking here.