Emerald Engagement Rings: The Complete Guide (2024)

Colored gemstone engagement rings have steadily become more popular among brides-to-be, not only for their vibrant colors but also their unique flair. One of our favorites? Emeralds. An emerald's deep-green hue makes it instantly eye-catching, and, just like glimmering diamonds, options are limitless when it comes to settings, cuts, and style. Hues range from bright green to bluish-green, and it pairs beautifully with different types of metals, stones, and settings.

What Is an Emerald?

Emerald is a richly green gemstone belonging to the beryl family of minerals. They are rare and beautiful and serve as the May birthstone.

Whether your tastes are bold and statement-making or subtle and simple, emerald engagement rings come in a wide range of styles to suit all aesthetics and budgets. We talked to jewelry designer Grace Lee about what to look for in an engagement ring and how to care for this colorful gemstone.

Ahead, learn the pros and cons of an emerald engagement ring, why the cut is so important, and why a lower-carat emerald is a great option.

14 Gorgeous Green Engagement Rings for the Eclectic Bride

Pros and Cons of Emerald Engagement Rings

If you do spring for an emerald solitaire or center stone, be aware: Emeralds are softer than other stones, making them more fragile to cut. "Green emeralds rate 7.5-8 on the Mohs scale of mineral hardness compared to a diamond’s hardness of 10," explains Grace Lee. "While softer than diamonds, emeralds can still be cut and polished into a variety of beautiful shapes by expert cutters and are safe for daily wear."

High-quality emeralds are rarer than diamonds and, therefore, tend to come with a higher price tag. However, since emeralds have a lower density, a one-carat emerald will actually appear larger than a one-carat diamond.

Emeralds are bright, beautiful, and highly versatile, and they look stunning as center or side stones.

What to Look for in an Emerald Engagement Ring

Thinking green for your engagement ring? Here are a few questions and answers you should know before you look for the perfect stone.

  • How important is the color of the emerald? "I tell clients that color is the most important factor when it comes to green emeralds," says Lee. The consistency of coloring, the tone, and saturation of the green are all factors that can help determine the quality of the emerald.
  • What should I know about emerald clarity? Most natural emeralds have inclusions (small imperfections known as "jardin," which means garden in French) and fractures or fissures that present as tiny lines within the emerald. These tiny lines don't necessarily detract from the look of the gemstone and can actually add to its overall beauty. Lee notes that an emerald can be cut strategically to ensure the fissures do not come up to the surface and/or corners of the emerald.
  • Why are emeralds sometimes treated with oil? "Oil is commonly used on emeralds to fill in fractures and enhance their clarity," explains Lee. Though oiling is common with these gemstones, it can have an impact on any given stone's price; emeralds that have not been treated with oil are the rarest and therefore more highly priced. Medium and significantly oiled emeralds would be priced much lower. The appearance of heavily oiled emeralds could change overtime, and are therefore on the lower end of the price range.
  • Where should I source my emerald from? "As with all precious gems, I recommend sourcing from a reputable and trusted jeweler or dealer," says Lee. "[Smaller] green emeralds (below a half carat) are not typically accompanied by a certificate but can be certified if you have concerns." Good quality emeralds, especially in larger carat sizes, are generally certified by GRS, Gubellin, and SSEF. If you have any concerns about the quality of an emerald you're considering, it's perfectly acceptable to request a certification from one of these labs.

How to Care for an Emerald Engagement Ring

Although emeralds are safe for daily wear, they are softer than most gemstones and require thoughtful care. Since emeralds are often treated with oil, it's best to avoid exposing your stone to extreme and potentially damaging heat. As for cleaning your engagement ring, Lee notes that gentle soap and warm water, as you would use on most other pieces, is perfectly fine for emerald jewelry. It's important to not overdo it, though; because most emeralds are oiled to some degree, it's best to clean them only as often as necessary. You can also gently massage natural unscented baby oil into your stone from time to time.

And, when in doubt, always feel free to bring your emerald engagement ring back to your jeweler for a professional cleaning.

The 13 Best Colored Engagement Rings

01of 09

Grace Lee Emerald Signet Ring

Emerald Engagement Rings: The Complete Guide (1)

This emerald baguette ring crafted from 14K gold is an utterly stunning choice for the bride-to-be who appreciates a timeless design.

02of 09

Chroma by Greenwich St. Jewelers Cleo Brazilian Emerald Ring

Emerald Engagement Rings: The Complete Guide (2)

In brilliant green, this emerald ring feels at once modern and timeless. Its polished 18k gold setting lets the stone speak for itself.

03of 09

Allurez Pear-Shaped Emerald and Floral Diamond Halo

Emerald Engagement Rings: The Complete Guide (3)

What could be more beautiful than an emerald showcased in a floral diamond halo? This style feels as fresh and feminine as a garden wedding set in the English countryside.

04of 09

Yoshinobu Kataoka Inishmore Emerald Ring in Gold

Emerald Engagement Rings: The Complete Guide (4)

Understand yet exquisite, this engagement ring is perfect for the bride-to-be who appreciates simplicity. Its dainty band is elegant and really makes the center stone pop.

05of 09

Wwake Nestled Emeralds in Yellow Gold

Emerald Engagement Rings: The Complete Guide (5)

Why have only one emerald when you could have two? This ring with nestled emeralds isn't something you see every day and will definitely make you stand out in a crowd.

06of 09

Kotlar Collection Harmonie Emerald Ring

Emerald Engagement Rings: The Complete Guide (6)

Vibrant and showstopping, this Harry Kotlar design is crafted with a breathtaking asscher-cut emerald mounted between two diamonds and a band featuring a double row of diamonette-infused pavé.

07of 09

Danhov Tubetto Diamond Shank Emerald Ring

Emerald Engagement Rings: The Complete Guide (7)

A deep-green stone and diamond halo make this ring feel instantly classic. This style is offered in 14K and 18K white gold as well as platinum.

08of 09

Azlee Emerald and Baguette Diamond Ring

Emerald Engagement Rings: The Complete Guide (8)

This beautiful piece of emerald jewelry will look stunning on your ring finger and can be engraved for an extra-special touch. Wear yours stacked or solo.

09of 09

Grace Lee Crown Bezel Emerald Ring

Emerald Engagement Rings: The Complete Guide (9)

For a delicate and elegant emerald engagement ring that you'll love and cherish for years to come, you can't go wrong with this rose-cut emerald set in a 14K gold crown bezel.

Emerald Engagement Rings: The Complete Guide (2024)

FAQs

Is emerald hard enough for an engagement ring? ›

The recommended hardness for a gemstone you intend to wear daily is around 7.5 and upwards, meaning an emerald is most certainly durable enough for an engagement ring.

What is the most important C in emerald cut diamond? ›

For this reason, clarity is one of the most important gradings to consider for an emerald cut diamond. Step cut stones are generally not as bright and never as fiery as brilliant cut stones.

What does an emerald engagement ring say about you? ›

The green color is tied in with spring, renewal, rebirth, growth, and even therapeutic properties for the eyes. There are also associations with wisdom too. The Emerald – The gem itself is known to symbolize fidelity and true love, along with making an individual into a more eloquent speaker.

What happened to Jackie Kennedy's engagement ring? ›

Her original engagement ring from John F. Kennedy, a toi et moi style composed of a diamond and emerald stone from Van Cleef & Arpels, was redesigned in the 1960s; today, it can be found on display at the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum in Boston.

Is a 2 carat emerald cut diamond too big? ›

Many celebrities have also fallen for the classy timeless cut stone. While most of theirs are a giant and glamorous 10 or 15 or more carats, if you're looking in the 2 carat range, that is still an above average winner. You'll turn heads with your modest art deco reminiscent cut.

Why can't you wear emeralds every day? ›

When considering buying an Emerald It is important to be aware that they are brittle gemstones. This means they are softer than sapphires, rubies and diamonds and are more prone to scratching and chipping over time. Don't panic, they are perfectly fine to wear everyday, they just require more care when being worn!

Why not to get an emerald cut diamond? ›

When compared to brilliant cuts, it has less brightness and is a more elegant shape. If the brilliance of your diamond is the most important factor to you, an emerald cut engagement ring is something you might want to pass over in favor of a round, princess, or radiant cut.

What does an emerald cut diamond say about a woman? ›

Sophistication and Timeless Elegance:

Women who choose an emerald cut diamond are often seen as having a refined taste and a sense of classic style. The emerald cut is also associated with a sense of calm and tranquility, making it the perfect choice for women who value inner peace and balance in their lives.

Is VS2 OK for emerald cut? ›

In general, you'll be able to find an eye-clean brilliant cut diamond in the area of VS2, or sometimes even lower. However, for a step cut, such as an asscher or emerald diamond, you'll often need to look higher, like VVS2 clarity.

Can I wash my hands with an emerald ring? ›

Don't bathe or shower with your jewelry. Soaps typically contain a grease or oil base that adheres to the stones and attract dust particles in the air which build up quickly and showers often contain hard tiles which can impact any gems especially when you're flailing your hands around with soap in your eyes.

Which finger is best for emerald diamond ring? ›

For maximum results, as emerald is related to the mercury planet, it is worn on the finger where the mercury mount is located. This is the little finger.

Why do people get emerald engagement rings? ›

For those drawn to color, emerald is a one-of-kind way to embellish your ring finger. It is said to be emblematic of truth and love — the perfect symbol for a long-lasting marriage.

What is Meghan Markle's engagement ring? ›

Meghan's original engagement ring was estimated to be 4.5 carats. The ring consists of a three-carat cushion-cut centre stone, with two round-cut side stones, with each stone being approximately 0.75 carats each.

What was Princess Diana's engagement ring? ›

Engagement ring

Diana and Charles became engaged in February 1981. Her engagement ring consisted of 14 diamonds surrounding a 12-carat oval blue Ceylon sapphire set in 18-karat white gold. It was created by then-crown jeweller Garrard.

What is Kate Middleton's engagement ring? ›

Kate Middleton's engagement ring is an oval Ceylon sapphire ring set in 18-karat white gold. The 12-carat sapphire is surrounded by an impressive 14 solitaire diamonds. It has astonishing history, and it was once given to Princess Diana by Prince Charles.

Can you use an emerald as an engagement ring? ›

Traditionally, we know emeralds as the May birthstone and the gift for 55th wedding anniversaries. However, in recent years, more brides-to-be are choosing vibrantly colored stones for their engagement rings — and emeralds are one of their top choices.

Are emeralds hard enough for daily wear? ›

Can you wear an emerald ring everyday? Sure. Because Emeralds are a 7.5-8 on the hardness scale, they are durable enough for everyday wear. Like all fine jewelry (yes, even diamonds), you should remove your rings before doing anything strenuous.

Is an emerald cut engagement ring a good idea? ›

Emerald cuts are popular with people who have long, thin fingers because they emphasize that trait. It elongates their appearance in a manner that princess cuts do not. However, some buyers deliberately avoid emerald cut engagement rings since they do not consider this trait to be complementary to them.

How hard should a gem be for engagement ring? ›

For most engagement rings, it is best to choose a gemstone with a Mohs rating of 7 or above. Gemstones that fall into these ratings can generally withstand the stresses of everyday wear.

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