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An emerald engagement ring, crafted for you.

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What is an emerald?

Emeralds are a green gemstone, a variety of the mineral beryl. Emerald engagement rings provide a distinct ’emerald green’ pop of colour to any ring design. This coloured precious gemstone has a distinguished reputation for its striking tones that range from deep woodland to iced pistachio.

With a low facet structure, emeralds emit a softer brilliance which is balanced by their wider depth of colour compared to traditional diamonds. An emerald engagement ring’s charming appearance looks beautiful when set in any metal colour and can be incorporated into both vintage and contemporary ring designs.

While emeralds register at 7.5 – 8 on the Mohs hardness scale, most emeralds are treated with oils and resins that fill their natural internal fractures, reducing the chance of breakage or damage to the stone. A uniquely designed emerald ring is sure to catch the eye, mesmerising anyone and everyone who sees it.

Emerald engagement ring gallery

Be inspired by our emerald engagement rings, individually designed with love by you and crafted by us.

Vintage emerald yellow gold and platinum diamond halo engagement ring
Vintage emerald yellow gold engagement ring with channel set diamond band
round diamond engagement ring with emerald and blue sapphire custom cut flower inspired halo art nouveau inspired
emerald cut emerald with side accent stones trilogy engagement ring
emerald cut emerald trilogy engagement ring with side pear diamonds set in yellow gold
round emerald organic engagement ring with diamond floral halo in yellow gold
emerald cut emerald with custom cut diamond baguette halo engagement ring

Can you wear your emerald engagement ring everyday?

An emerald engagement ring is a heartfelt and exciting choice for a wedding ring, but there are a few things you should know before purchasing an emerald. A natural emerald, with its distinctive texture and inclusions, makes for an extraordinary engagement ring, however there are some small risks that come with the gemstone. An emerald only ranks 7.5 on the Mohs scale, meaning it is softer than a sapphire which ranks at 9, and far from a diamond which has a perfect 10. While an emerald is still a comparatively hard gemstone, it can falter under everyday wear and tear if it isn’t of a high enough quality or not set properly.

If you know an emerald is right for you, then there are some simple things to keep in mind to make sure your gemstone will last the test of time. To start, an emerald centre stone with a minimal amount of inclusions is ideal. The inclusions found in the gemstone give it a distinct look, but contribute to the fragility of the stone. But not to fear: at Taylor & Hart, we have strict quality checks and always ensure that we’re providing you the most robust and beautiful emeralds on the market.

Additionally, if purchasing an emerald centre stone, consider bezel setting the gem. This will give the emerald more protection, and decrease the risk of damage to your ring.

emerald cut emeralds

Why choose an emerald engagement ring?

What does an emerald symbolise?

Throughout history, emeralds have been revered for their mystical, regal qualities. Known as the “Jewel of Kings” emeralds are famous for their luscious green colour which has many meanings.

During antiquity, emeralds were mined in Egypt and popularised by the great Cleopatra, who believed that the emerald gemstone represented fertility and immortality. Famously, she would adorn herself with handmade emerald jewellery, and decorate her palace with the stone.

Those who are born in May are lucky enough to call the emerald their birthstone. Alternatively, in astrology the emerald is the stone that represents the cancer sign. The green colour represents growth, peace, and balance.

Ultimately, the emerald’s enchanting forest green colour reminds us of nature and the beauty of our green earth. The hypnotising colour and velvet texture of emeralds are symbolic of renewal—a central process of nature.

Egyptian ring

An Egyptian gold finger emerald ring

What are the best cuts for emeralds?

Emeralds can be a brittle stone with many inclusions; for this reason, the famous ’emerald cut’ was developed. The emerald cut was developed through the step cut or the trap ring setting, which feature rectangular facets and larger tables. These cuts are uniquely designed to enhance the stability and form of a stone, which allows a gem that is naturally fragile to be worn in everyday jewellery. An emerald cut engagement ring with an emerald centre stone is one of the most popular styles for this unmistakeable gemstone.

Some high quality emeralds won’t have many inclusions, allowing them to be cut in the classic round, oval, or other fancy shapes. Emeralds also make beautiful side stones, which you can pair with a diamond centre stone to make a dazzling emerald and diamond engagement ring.

Emerald cut emerald

Where do emeralds come from?

Should emeralds be dark or light?

Emeralds range from a light seafoam colour to a dark mossy tone. The colour of the gemstone is graded by three factors: colour, tone, and hue. The most prized emerald colour is ‘very good’ or ‘exceptional’, terms used to describe an emerald rich with colour, but bright enough that it doesn’t lose its signature fire. The tone of the emerald refers to the saturation of colour, ranging from light to deep intense. The hue of the emerald is what describes the exact colour, and this ranges from light yellow green to strong bluish green, with the most desirable hue being an intense bluish green.

Ultimately, there is no right or wrong colour for an emerald, as beauty is in the eye of the beholder! Some people prefer the classic forest green, deep hue, while some love the fire and glow of a lighter green emerald.

emerald cut emerald

What are the costs of an emerald engagement ring?

An emerald can vary in cost, depending on the quality and provenance of the stone. The most expensive emerald is the Colombian emerald, and then Zambian emeralds.

Similarly to a diamond, the gemstone is evaluated depending on its colour and clarity, with colour being the most important element, following with clarity, quality of cut, and carat.

Emeralds with vivid saturation and good clarity will be found at a high price point. Due to their nature, most emeralds are highly included. So to increase clarity, most emeralds are treated with oil to enhance the visibility within the stone. Carat is an important factor in the price, however with an emerald it is recommended to get a smaller carat with exceptional colour and clarity.

How much is a 1 carat emerald?

An emerald cut, 1 carat emerald starts at around £2,500.

How much is a 2 carat emerald?

An emerald cut, 2 carat emerald starts at around £7,000.

Celebrity emerald engagement rings

The magical beauty of emeralds have always attracted the most stylish celebrities, the classic cut and extraordinary colour make the emerald a revered gemstone. The rarity and beauty of larger high quality emeralds make the emerald engagement ring a celebrity magnet.

Jackie Kennedy’s emerald engagement ring consisted of a beautiful 2.84 carat emerald-cut emerald and a 2.88 carat emerald cut diamond. Jackie remodelled the ring once, replacing the emerald and diamond baguettes with marquise diamonds. Jackie’s flamboyant engagement ring reflects her iconic style.

Zoe Saldana’s bohemian engagement ring features a eight to ten carat pear shaped emerald, set in platinum pave with trillion side diamonds. This grand, fancy-cut emerald perfectly suits her elegant style.

Victoria Beckham’s emerald cut emerald engagement ring is an absolute stunner. Featuring a 20 carat emerald, the ring is finished with pave diamonds. Victoria famously has 14 engagement rings, but only one emerald!

Halle Berry’s unique 4 carat Colombian emerald engagement ring, bezel set in 18kt yellow gold, features a bespoke etching design on the thick band. The art-deco style of the ring is well suited to her relaxed, chic style.

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