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Why Choose An Emerald Engagement Ring?

Written by Ciaran Vipond on Nov 04, 2019 | 0 Comments

Finding the perfect engagement ring can be difficult. Diamond engagement rings are undoubtedly the most popular choice for our customers, but they are not for everyone. If your partner dreams of something unique and exotic, an emerald engagement ring could be the perfect choice.

What is Emerald?

An emerald is a deep green precious gemstone, symbolically linked to Irish heritage, the roman goddess Venus, as well as being the birthstone for the month of May!

There are many surprising facts about Emeralds that you might be interested to learn. Emeralds are cherished by many cultures for centuries they are associated with many and ancient beliefs and embody many important virtues that would see a marriage to flourish for a lifetime!

The Meaning Behind An Emerald Gemstone

Although symbolically linked to Irish heritage, the origin story for emerald being used as a gemstone associated with love started with the Romans. Romans believed Emeralds were sacred stones of the goddess Venus-Aphrodite, whose Godly functions encompassed love, beauty, fertility and prosperity.

In myth, Venus-Aphrodite was born of sea-foam. Roman theology tells us that Venus-Aphrodite was a powerful female force. Venus absorbed and tempered the male essence, uniting the opposites of male and female in mutual affection. Therefore, Venus’ emeralds were thought to preserve love in the face of adversity.

But Emerald's associations don't stop there! This stone has many meanings to match its beauty.

Hope

The emerald gemstone has long been seen as a symbol of hope. This can mean hope for a beautiful future filled with passion and love. Or hope for you to sustain a stong relationship through life.

Prophecy

An emerald gemstone is considered to be the stone of prophecy. This can be taken literally or it can be interpreted to symbolize a life full of clear and continued communication between partners in life.

Calmness

For some the emerald is thought to act as a soothing stone for a busy mind. The emerald is said to bring the wearer reason and wisdom. Valuable traits in a marriage!

Faithfulness

For a marriage filled with trust and reassurance, it is traditional in some cultures to give your lover an emerald engagement ring. Emeralds are believed to promote faithfulness and loyalty.

Emeralds Also thought to Embody Healing Powers?

Emeralds have been used for centuries to help heal the heart. The story goes that an emerald is most effective when under the direct light of a Full Moon. So if you are planning on proposing under the stars, an emerald ring might just be the perfect choice!

With so many symbolic connotations we think an emerald engagement ring makes a fantastic choice for a proposal.

Where Do Emeralds Come From?

The purest emeralds come from Colombia and Brazil. Emeralds can also be found in India, Australia, and South Africa.

How are Emeralds Graded?

Just like diamond, emeralds are graded on the basis of color, clarity, cut, and karat weight. However unlike diamond, for emerald color is by far the most important in determining the value of a stone.

Color

Emeralds are a form of the mineral Beryl. Beryl comes in different colors from transparent green (emerald) to blue or yellow depending on the mineral composition. The Emerald stones with the most vivid and saturated green color command the highest price.

Clarity

The majority of emeralds have inclusions in them that are often visible to the naked eye so clarity is a much less important factor for emerald vs. diamond. They can detract when there are so many inclusions that they cloud and distort emerald's deep green color. However, many emeralds are actually prized for their inclusions which render them entirely unique. Called a jardin, these inclusion patterns can give an emerald a high price.

An emerald that does not have any inclusions at all is very rare and therefore most expensive. A flawless emerald makes a perfect engagement ring, as they are rare and stunningly beautiful.


Cut

The color we see in emerald also depends on the cut. A skilled gemologist can give a paler stone a more vivid appearance with a deep cut and fewer facets (flat surfaces on the stone). Or a darker stone can be made to appear lighter and brighter with a shallow cut and more facets. Given all that, it is not so surprising that this gem has a specific cut named after it, “the emerald cut.” Many fine emeralds are prepared in this iconic style. However, a high quality emerald will have a beautiful vivid whether prepared with an emerald, round, oval, or heart shaped cut.

Dazzling Emerald Engagement Rings

Are you convinced about the merits of an Emerald for an engagement ring? We think Emeralds compliment every skin tone and are extremely flattering. We're happy to consult from the workshop if you have any questions. Click below to browse our extensive range of beautifully detailed emerald engagement rings.

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Ciaran Vipond

Ciaran Vipond

My Irish Jeweler

Born in Co. Antrim and reared in Dublin, I was fascinated with Gaelic culture from an early age. I suppose it's not surprising given my mother inherited a grá for the Irish language from my grandfather, an Irish school headmaster. And that grá continues! My brother and sister are now Gaelic teachers here in Ireland, my niece is an award winning Irish dancer, and I proudly work to share Irish culture through our Irish and Celtic Jewelry at My Irish Jeweler!

I love researching and reading about the history of Irish design. It's at the core of what we do here at My Irish Jeweler. I find much of it so interesting that I have to share what I find. I hope you enjoy it!

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