Being Unique: Emerald Engagement Rings
Diamonds are forever, so why would anyone choose an emerald engagement ring? 90% of the time, people would be thinking about diamonds when engagements rings cross their mind. Actually, some people prefer to have emerald engagement rings, rather than diamond rings. Simply because they love the charm an emerald gemstone gives off or it may be because their favorite color is green. However people buying emerald engagement rings have similar but quite different reasons why they chose emerald over the majestic, and expensive diamond.
The earliest known emeralds were found close to the coast of the Red sea in Upper Egypt and Afghanistan. But today, the best emeralds are found in Columbia, South America.
The name emerald is derived from the Greek word “smaragdos” which means green stone. There are many stories in ancient times about emerald and its properties. Emeralds were believed to provide cure for everything, from leprosy to dysentery. In the Bible, the emerald is one of the precious stones in the “Breastplate of Judgment” worn by Aaron, (Exodus 28:15-30), and its literal translation from Ancient Hebrew means glowing coal.
Its history alone is enough to make anybody want to have emerald engagement rings, it symbolizes immortality and faith. The emerald is considered to be the most powerful gemstone in terms of healing energy. Interestingly the emerald was Cleopatra’s favorite gemstone.
One of the “Big Five” of precious stones, the emerald is in fact considered to be more precious and rare than a diamond. Compared to other stones, the emerald is completely unique, from the way it is formed to its beautiful color. Because of this, the emerald is one of the most desirable gemstones for an engagement ring.
Emerald is a hard gemstone but can be brittle, with a hardness of between 7.5 and 8 on the Moh’s scale; the most valuable type of Beryl ever found. The emerald’s green color is influenced by the amount of chromium found in the silicate, and colors vary in range from green to blue green and yellow green. An emerald engagement ring is definitely more unique than a diamond or any other gemstone available today.
It is the birthstone for March, therefore an emerald engagement ring is appropriate for brides-to-be, born in March. An emerald engagement ring is not only a beautiful, rare and valuable gemstone, it has a dynamic history and symbolism, and wearing such a piece of magical and fantastical stone could feel much better than wearing very expensive but “just” damond rings.
