Emerald engagement rings are fast becoming a popular choice for many. They are still in a stage of uniqueness where they are not common, making any emerald engagement ring an inimitable choice that’s sure to stand out among the crowds. The question arises time and again, however, of ‘are emeralds ok for an engagement ring’?
When people ask this, they’re typically talking about whether or not emeralds are suitable for the general rough and tumble that an engagement ring can expect to face, particularly if it’s being worn every day. Diamonds are not only the typical stone of choice for engagement rings entirely due to their beauty and unmatchable sparkle – they are also incredibly hardwearing. The strongest natural material known to exist; the durability of diamonds is peerless.
So, are emeralds equally as up to the task?
The Mohs Scale
The Mohs scale of hardness puts a variety of minerals on a ten-point scale to determine which mineral is hardest and which is softest. Created in 1812, the Mohs scale has faced criticism for its relative lack of precision, but it is still used by geologists and gemmologists alike. The basis of the scale is to use minerals to attempt to mark other minerals. The mineral that leaves a mark is stronger than the one that is marked, and so it moves up the scale. Diamonds sit pretty at the 10-point spot, being the hardest mineral in the world.
Emeralds sit between a 7.5 and an 8 on the Mohs scale, putting them lower than gemstones like topaz and sapphires, and higher than gemstones like opals and peridots. Most gemstones sit between the 5-point and 10-point spots on the Mohs hardness scale, and emeralds sit in a fairly upper-central position for gemstones.
Emerald Hardness
What does this mean for the hardness of emeralds? Are they durable enough to make for good engagement rings? Well, they are still strong for gemstones, despite not reaching the same level of toughness as diamonds. If your engagement ring features accent emeralds, it is certainly up to par for everyday wear, provided you inspect any claws and the overall structural integrity of your ring roughly once or twice a year.
For those of you more interested in the antique emerald engagement ring styles, where the emerald is the focal point of the ring and therefore the largest – usually most central – stone, there might be slightly different rules. Large emeralds, simply by virtue of being large, open themselves up to a higher possibility of damage. If your engagement ring is an emerald statement piece of jewellery, it should probably be reserved for more formal occasions, or social occasions such as meeting up with friends, going for a shopping trip, or being on holiday. Everyday tasks such as cleaning, cooking, or any physical labour should be done with minimal jewellery.
Emerald Engagement Rings
Overall, emeralds make an excellent choice for engagement rings. Emeralds ranging between 0.5 a carat and 2.5 carats are generally suitable for being worn the same amount as diamonds of the same size. They’re generally cheaper stones, they have something unique about them due to their colour, and they come in the same range of styles as diamond engagement rings.
If you’re interested in emerald engagement rings, whether it’s due to their wide range of green shades, their overall individuality as an engagement ring, or because you’re curious about having an engagement ring that matches your or your other half’s birthstone, you could certainly do a lot worse. Emeralds are beautiful gemstones that are sure to see you right if you take care of them the way they deserve.
What do you think – are emeralds ok for an engagement ring to you?
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