Emerald Engagement Rings: What you need to know

Emeralds are becoming an increasingly popular choice for engagement rings. But our founder David McCaul's love of emeralds goes deep. Many years ago he designed and created a ring for his mother featuring an emerald after he remembered her telling him how much she loved emeralds and how much she would have loved one as an an engagement ring. This anecdote was the inspiration behind a many beautiful emerald rings over the years, and, no doubt, many more in the future.

With their statement look and eye-catching colour, no wonder emeralds are a popular stone for those wanting to wear or propose with something a little more unusual and a less main-steam. But there are several things about emeralds you should know before considering them.

We are often asked are emeralds good for engagement rings or are emerald engagement rings durable. Absolutely yes, but they are considered a 'softer' stone and do need a little bit of extra care. Emeralds are 7.5–8 on the Mohs scale, in comparison, diamonds are a 10 on the Mohs scale. Meaning emeralds are a little more prone to damage and need to be protected by the wearer and the metal they are set into to avoid wear and tear over years of wear. The 18ct Yellow Gold Mint Emerald Arris Ring above is an iconic example of how our signature chunky bezel settings ensures your emerald is safe and secure. 

Diamonds and emerald pair perfectly, especially when they are pear-shaped like the Platinum Diamond and Emerald Moi Et Toi Wave Engagement Ring.

Most natural emeralds contain internal characteristics called inclusions, these marks can appear as tiny bubbles, speckles, linear marks or fractures. They are completely unique to each stone, this makes purchasing a natural emerald a much richer experience. 

If you are wondering are emerald engagement rings expensive or are they cheaper than diamond engagement rings, the fact is an emerald can be worth more than a diamond. It completely depends on the stone. Inclusions often reduce a stone's clarity but certain inclusions increase its uniqueness and value substantially. And if you look after them, emerald rings hold their value long into the future.

Emeralds come from all over the world. Most notable origins are Colombia, Brazil, Madagascar, Zimbabwe, and Zambia, just like this previous emerald-cut emerald Arris ring above.

So, what are the disadvantages to emerald engagement rings? It's true they are less durable than a diamond. And depending on the wearer and the way they are set emeralds can be prone to scratches or chipping over years of wear. But our secure bezel settings keep them protected. So emeralds can be the perfect choice for those seeking an alternative engagement ring with a pop of eye-catching colour.

We are often asked what stone is best for an engagement ring, and this all depends on the person it's for. The wearers personality, style, ethics and taste should all be considered when choosing the perfect stone for them. Emeralds could be the perfect choice.

For more, check out our emerald jewellery or discover our range of coloured gemstone engagement rings, most of which can be commissioned with a unique bespoke emerald. If you want to start a conversation about purchasing or commissioning a one-of-a-kind engagement ring please get in touch.