6 Facts You Should Know Before Discarding the Thought of an Emerald Engagement Ring

6 Facts You Should Know Before Discarding the Thought of an Emerald Engagement Ring

People usually do not think of an engagement ring with an emerald on it. That is because there are several misconceptions about the gemstone. We understand that green may not be everyone’s favorite color.

However, emerald gemstone rings can be a better choice than engagement rings with Amethyst or Citrine. Here are six facts about emeralds that you should know before discarding the idea of using one on an engagement ring.

Emeralds Are Not Too Soft

Most people think that emeralds are too soft and prone to scratches. Emeralds can indeed chip or crack, but so can diamonds. Emeralds are 7.5 to 8 on the Mohs hardness scale, which makes them extremely long-lasting. However, naturally occurring emeralds can have inclusions.

If these inclusions reach the surface of the stone, they can be vulnerable to chipping. So make sure that you do not choose a stone with a surface-reaching inclusion. If you like an emerald with an inclusion that reaches the surface, make sure you use a protective setting like a bezel or a halo.

Real Emeralds Are Always Cloudy

Too many inclusions in the natural emerald can make it appear cloudy. However, you can also find extremely high-quality natural diamonds that are without any inclusions. Another way to make sure that you get an eye-clean Stone is to buy a lab-created emerald.

Emeralds created in a lab have the same mineral composition as their naturally occurring counterparts, but they do not have an inclusion that makes them eye-clean and more durable.

Emeralds do not show rainbow sparkles like diamonds because the refractive index is lower. However, emeralds will reflect green flashes, which make them appear brighter and glowing. Lab-created emeralds would sparkle more the natural emeralds with inclusions.

Emeralds May Not Be Emerald Green

Most people think that emeralds are always emeralds green. But the truth is the green color of emeralds can vary quite a bit. The color can range from dark green to pale hues of green. The deeper colored gemstones are more prized and, therefore, more expensive.

Emeralds get their colors from traces of chromium, vanadium, and Iron. Even lab-created diamonds do not always have the same color. In fact, the most sought-after color for emeralds is a green with slightly bluish hues, which gives it a regal look. The color you see in an emerald will also depend on the cut because skilled gemologists can make a paler emerald appear darker with a deeper cut.

Emeralds Can Be Pricier Than Diamonds

Very high-quality natural diamonds without any inclusions can be more expensive than diamonds. That is because emeralds are rarer and much more difficult to find. It takes almost 2 ½ times the effort to find a natural Emerald than a natural diamond.

Emeralds have been often the choice of royal people and celebrities. One of the most famous pieces of emerald jewelry is a pendant worn by Elizabeth Taylor which sold for a whopping $ 6.5 million in 2011.

Natural Emeralds Can Be Oil-Treated for Beauty

Emeralds are treated with cedar oil to fill up the inclusions and make them appear greener. That is why never clean natural emeralds with an ultrasonic or steam cleaner as it can leak out the oil. Instead, you should always clean natural emeralds with your hands in warm soapy water or use a very soft toothbrush.

If you have accidentally stripped out the oil from a natural emerald, you can bring it to a jeweler to have it re-oiled. Lab-created emeralds do not need to be oiled and, therefore, can be cleaned with an ultrasonic or steam cleaner.

Emeralds Are Great for Engagement Rings

Emeralds are beautiful and durable, which makes them great for engagement rings. Engagement rings from MoissaniteCo.com will be the iconic item that you should purchase for your special day. They are quite popular with people who love green. Several celebrities like Halle Berry, Jacqueline Kennedy, Victoria Beckham, and Olivia Wilde have sported emerald engagement rings.

However, emerald rings are not ideal for people who are too active or keep bumping into places. Instead, they should opt for green diamonds or green sapphires, which are more durable than emeralds.

You will find most emeralds are cut in their iconic emerald shape, but they also appear in oval or pear cuts. Lab-created diamonds can be cut into many different shapes.

So now that you are aware of the facts about emeralds, we hope you will make a more informed decision. If you have any further questions, we will suggest that you connect with an emerald jewel maker for more information.