Emerald engagement ring

Emerald engagement ring have pride of place among the precious gemstones. Its green color represents spring time, freshness, and new life. These are all things that people contemplating engagement can relate to. It is common in other countries for people to choose a colored gemstone rather a diamond to be the center stone in their ring. It is not common in the USA. Perhaps for that reason the US is the poorer in engagement ring styles. If one is enchanted with the idea of using a colored gemstone as the major stone within an engagement ring, emerald should be given serious consideration. Emeralds have been mind for thousands of years. The most notable mines are found in Colombia. Although Emeralds are found in many parts of the world, the primary mining regions are in Afghanistan, Brazil, and Zambia. Colombian Emeralds are often regarded as being the most valuable, particularly those found in a very old mine, called the Muzo.

Color variance in emerald engagement ring

Regardless of where they are found emeralds have many internal imperfections that more often than not are visible to the naked eye. The green of emerald can vary from very light green to very dark green. The medium hues are modified by either blue or yellow. It is the mixture of these colors that gives virtually every emerald its unique look. Obviously, price is related to beauty. And beauty has to do with the shade of green as well as the absence of distracting imperfections

Shapes of an emerald engagement ring

Emeralds come in all sizes and when they are faceted they can be cut into most any conceivable shape. The emerald shape is very common. But, they can also be purchased as rounds, ovals, marquis, princess, emerald cut. There are some people who discourage the use of an emerald engagement ring. They regard emeralds as relatively fragile because of the presence of inclusions that are generally found in them. However, we know that emeralds have been worn for thousands of years and our view is that aesthetic preferences should override any concerns about durability.

Emeralds come in such variety of color tones that it is wise to have an assortment from which you can make your selection. Be wary of any emerald that looks to clean. Having selected the emerald of choice you will then proceed to a selection of a ring style that you want to use with it. A general rule one should not suppose that the selection of an emerald as the center stone should constrict the selection of a ring in any way. Any ring that you might select for a diamond should work equally well with an emerald. When having an emerald as the center stone you have some creative opportunities for unique design. For example: If a row or rows of small diamond melee are used as accents in an emerald engagement ring they can really enhance the emerald center stone. Perhaps even more than they would a diamond center stone?

Durability of emerald rings

If one is concerned about damage to the emerald there are ring styles like the cathedral that can be used to help protect it. Although, emerald is not as hard as a diamond, its hardness is adequate. Emerald belongs to the beryl mineral class that has a hardness of 8. If after many years of wear some of the facet edges are abraded and there are surface scratches that diminish the brilliance that the emerald originally displayed, it can be removed for repolishing with minimal weight loss.

Emerald enhancement with oils

Most all colored gemstones are enhanced in some way. The most common method of enhancing the appearance of emerald is oiling basically this simply involves placing the emerald in a common oil like cedar wood wear the oil seeps in the wherever porosity in the gemstone permits it. This oil can leak out over time, and can be reoiled as necessary. It is possible to purchase emeralds that are certified as having not been oiled. If prices of natural emeralds are such that prohibits their purchase synthetic emeralds can be acquired. Emeralds have been synthesized for almost a hundred years. Several different processes are used. The most involved process creates the most natural look but, is also the most expensive. However, the total cost is much less than it would be for a similarly looking natural emerald engagement ring.