Diamonds have traditionally been the go-to for engagement rings, but the dazzling Emerald is quickly cementing itself as a contender – giving each proposal that something different.
There has been an unprecedented shift when it comes to engagement rings. Diamonds are no longer the default choice.
Last year, modern luxury jeweller Fenton found that the Emerald was their best-selling gemstone – with over 35% of its ring sales featuring Emerald centre stones.
People are steadily gravitating to more originality, with many wanting their engagement ring to be an extension of their style and personality.
Emeralds have long been associated with royalty and opulence with the enchanting gemstone’s popularity dating back to ancient civilisations. Back then, they believed Emeralds possessed healing powers and are said to symbolise peace, growth, new beginnings and fertility and love.
Up to 20 times rarer than mined diamonds, the May Birthstone requires a specific set of conditions to form – from a rare set of chemicals to precise temperatures – making them true miracles of nature.
As their popularity continues to climb, here’s everything you need to know about this magnificent gemstone… especially when picking an engagement ring.
Each Emerald has a unique character
When buying an Emerald, don’t expect a flawless gemstone. Every gemstone will have internal characteristics, called inclusions, which can seem like imperfections or blemishes to the untrained eye.
Because each Emerald is completely unique, the lapidary (gemstone cutter) will cut each Emerald in a way that highlights their best features.
From wispy feather-like inclusions to even liquid droplets that present in different ways, your Emerald will truly be a one-of-a-kind with its own history that makes it not only beautiful but unique too.
An ancient gem with heaps of history
The Emerald has a particularly interesting past. They were first mined in Egypt as early as 330 BC, but some experts have dated the oldest ones as being almost 3 billion years old.
The earliest prominent historical figure to be associated with the gem was Cleopatra. The Queen of the Nile used Emeralds on most of her royal adornments as ancient Egyptians believed its green colour represented fertility.
One of the world’s largest Emeralds – weighing in at an astonishing 1,383.93 carats – is right here in the UK. The Duke of Devonshire Emerald was given to William Cavendish, 6th Duke of Devonshire by Emperor Pedro I of Brazil back in 1831.
In more recent history, Emeralds have famously been sported by American First Ladies, Hollywood actors, popstars and modern royals. Their allure still captures the public imagination when one takes centre stage of a high-profile engagement.
Where do Emeralds come from?
While Cleopatra mined her Emeralds by the Red Sea, today, they’re dug up all across the globe – from Australia to North Carolina.
While many of these Emerald deposits occasionally produce gem-quality materials, gems of the most consistent quality are mined in South America, and further afield in southern Africa.
It’s important to note that the gemstone mining industry, much like its stones, has its flaws. It’s why ethical jewellers make a great effort to ensure that the mines it works with can adhere to responsible mining policies that uphold good working practices.
These ensures that no child labour is used when mining these gemstones, strict health and safety policies are in place as well as equal pay for all. Modern jewellers like Fenton source theirs strictly from world leaders in ethical mining, like those found in Zambia and Brazil.
Delicate gemstones that require care
It’s important to be aware that though Emeralds have a reputation for being brittle – they’re not as hard to care for as you’d imagine.
They’re softer than diamonds, rubies and sapphires and they can be more prone to scratches and chipping. But just by taking a little more care, they can still be worn every day – though you don’t want to be doing the gardening while wearing it.
When you need to clean an Emerald ring, it’s important not to use harsh chemicals or an ultrasonic cleaner as this can weaken the beautiful stone. To clean it, it’s really simple. Use tepid water and a soft toothbrush to gently clean in between professional jewellery cleaning.
An affordable alternative to mined diamonds
As an engagement plays such a unique role in a couple’s life, the ring is designed to be treasured for a lifetime and beyond which often means people see it as a considerable investment.
But understandably in recent times, people are having to shop smarter and are having to become savvier in achieving the most value for money.
Emeralds are more affordable than diamond centre stones, which means you can pick a bigger centre stone size that really stands out.
Fenton guarantees luxury quality, but at a fraction of the cost. They cut out the middlemen that hike up the price. They have a unique, smarter way of directly sourcing its gemstones from the mines without sacrificing that all-important quality.
With its founding jeweller trained at a number of the biggest jewellers on Bond Street, customers can be assured that they are receiving the highest quality with the best expertise.
Discover your perfect Emerald engagement ring at Fentonand.co
A fairytale proposal – made perfect with Fenton
Having fallen in love nearly a decade ago as teenagers, sweethearts Sophia and Will, both 27, are getting married and they couldn’t be happier with the captivating Emerald that sits on Sophia’s finger.
‘Cornwall is a special place for both of us. Both our families are there, so I thought it would be a lovely place to get engaged. I was checking the weather constantly to make sure everything was perfect,’ shared Will.
He popped the question with a stunning Fenton Emerald Trilogy Ring in Porthleven, Cornwall, a place close to their hearts. Remembering the proposal, Sophia shared:
‘The day we got engaged I could feel Will was slightly reserved on our walk and I thought “Oh my god it’s going to happen now”.’
On securing the ring, Will shared how he loved the service he received with Fenton:
‘Everyone at Fenton was just so helpful and the entire process could not have been easier. I talked to my jeweller quite a lot and she was absolutely fantastic.
‘She remembered that we’d been in and what the good options were from what Sophia had tried on which made everything so much easier.
‘Another perk of Fenton was just how customizable everything is. You can make it your own.’
Having hit the nail on the head with his selection, Sophia is still infatuated with her Emerald ring:
‘I was genuinely overwhelmed by it. Even now, I sometimes find myself at work just staring at it. I think every single one of my girlfriends wants to try it on.’
Begin your journey to creating the perfect, unique piece with Fenton’s Bespoke Service
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