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Need Advice on Emerald E-ring

K

KR77

Rough_Rock
Joined
Dec 29, 2011
Messages
7
Hello,

I tried this post in the Antique & Vintage Jewelry forum, but the folks over there suggested I try this forum. I'm ready to pop the question to my girlfriend. The only problem is she's not a traditional girl when it comes to engagement rings. She's shown a strong interest in a vintage emerald ring, preferably something in an emerald cut with a few small diamonds around the center stone. The diamonds don't seem as important to her as a decent size emerald (it could even be a solitaire emerald). I found a few items on eBay, but I'm always hesitant to go that route, since I'm not actually seeing the ring in person (but let me know if this has worked out well for anyone else):

http://www.ebay.com/itm/2-85-Vintag...34404880?pt=US_Fine_Rings&hash=item1c224ab210

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Unique-Art-...21420621?pt=US_Fine_Rings&hash=item1c2184924d

Both of these rings are from the same seller, but I'm very open to any suggestions as to where I can find similar rings. I'm fairly far out of my element when it comes to such a purchase so I welcome any and all advice. My price range is around $3-5k. Hopefully I can find a quality ring in that range.
 
Hi KR77, I am sure once the Holidays are over you will get more replies to your thread

Emeralds are among my favorites !!!!

I am not sure how I feel about those ebay rings, personally, but you and your GF know her taste.
Also, you have a pretty good budget in my opinion.

Have you thought of just purchasing an Emerald and then having a setting made for you?
Many of us here prefer doing this, and really enjoy the process .....

I am going to post a couple of hurried photos of my Emerald ring
I hope my poor photos will reflect well on the jeweler, Michael E ~ I am delighted with my ring
I have a few other projects waiting for him, just need to save the $$$$ :lol:
I am also delighted with my stone
Please note, this emerald *(like all my others) is not a "fine" Emerald and therefore was not as
costly
It is, however, just the type and color of Emerald that I prefer, and I love this ring very much !!!!
I wish it would photograph better, but here it is.

Emerald March '11 010 (Large).JPG

5-14-11 025 (Large).JPG

5-14-11 032 (Large).JPG

5-14-11 021 (Large).JPG
 
The ring is very heavy 18 ct gold, and Michael E set the Emerald such that the setting
is very protective of the stone, in my opinion. I am very pleased with that fact.
I do take care when I wear it, however, and do not wear it to work, but that's just me.

eta: Michael E is very willing to work with you to get just the setting you will be pleased with
and can certainly do a "reproduction antique" ring if that is what you like.
I am sure other trusted jewelers can do that too.
 
Welcome to the Colored Stone forum!

Emeralds are not generally recommended for engagement rings, since even careful wear can result in chips and abrasions. In addition, because they may be heavily included, they are subject to a variety of treatments, some of which are acceptable, and some are not. Here is a quick overview of the treatments you are likely to encounter:

http://www.gemselect.com/other-info/emerald-treatments.php

I tend to stay away from ebay, but some forum members have found great deals, and I'm sure will be along soon to advise you. In addition, if your SO is determined to have an emerald as an engagement ring, and understands the relatively fragile nature of the gemstone, I would suggest also looking at these sites:

http://www.langantiques.com/products/category/gemstone-rings

http://www.doverjewelry.com/

http://www.newyorkestatejewelry.com/
 
Welcome to Pricescope & Happy New Year! Sorry the holidays delayed answers for you. I'm with your GF in loving emeralds, but there are caveats to buying & wearing them.

Emeralds are among the most included gemstones; internal fissures make them more easily chipped or fractured than other beryls. As Aoife says, they make difficult e-ring stones & everyday wear isn't advisable if they are to stay in good condition.

About 90% of emeralds on the market have been treated in some way. Oiling with a transparent oil is accepted, but there are so many other methods that it's important to buy them from a trusted vendor, or at least on condition of lab certification as to treatment (or lack thereof). Also of genuineness; pretty convincing synthetics are produced. I would be very cautious about buying one on eBay, especially from an unknown seller.

The "Vendors Selling Colored Gemstones" thread here has sellers generally trusted by PS members. It's a good place to start; see what is available and at what prices & don't hesitate to email them with questions or ask more here.

More info on emeralds:

http://www.gemsociety.org/info/gems/emerald.htm

You might also consider other green gems. Tsavorite garnets are a somewhat similar color & not as risky, though they do need some care when worn every day. They are not treated as a rule & not faked.

http://www.ajsgem.com/gemstone-information/tsavorite-garnet-55.html

Tourmalines come in nice greens too, though a tad dicey for wearing all the time. Good luck!

--- Laurie

P.S. Ooo Shiney, wow ring!
 
welcome to the color stone group!

well, another negative opinion re an emerald e-ring: its the way the stone will cleave if hit. they fracture very very easily. the higher MOH number does not reflect for cleavage.

perhaps if your intended is not going to wear it 24/7....many of us, myself included, have color stone e-rings but do not wear them 24/7. a setting may help to protect it but i wouldn't do it.

many years ago i worked with a woman who had to have an emerald e-ring. she got it...a few weeks later i asked her where it was....in a drawer! $10k 20 years ago was a lot of $ for an e-ring, especially one that was being kept in a drawer because she found out how easy it would be to damage it... i will say that her emerald is was perhaps the finest i'd ever seen.....

good luck!
 
Hello and welcome! :wavey:

Well, I'm going to buck the trend and say if your g/f wants an Emerald engagement ring then that's exactly what you should get BUT you both need to know how to look after them. I don't believe that if somebody wants an Emerald they would be happy with a Tourmaline or a Tsavorite as they DO look different. Only very fine Tsavs may come close to an Emerald but even then they still look different. Anyway, Tourmalines and Tsavs still need to be looked after just as Emeralds do so don't be swayed to look at other stones - it's not worth it!!!!

I wouldn't however buy from the Ebay store you linked to because they don't appear to specialise in coloured stones and seem to work with diamonds more. There is also far too little information on the Emerald itself to make me feel comfortable although they may well respond if you ask them questions.

Just to get this "you can't wear it everyday" concept into some form of reality I'd like to say that this is not true. The only gemstones that you can wear everyday without really giving much thought to the care are diamonds and corrundum (sapphires/rubies). However, even these can be chipped, fractured and broken!

Below I'm posting my inherited Emerald ring. It's over 100 years old (I think totally untreated) and was worn by my Mother daily for at least 40 years if not more. There is only one tiny chip otherwise it's in immaculate condition.

So, how can you wear it safely?

1. Try to get a ring that protects the stone as much as possible - no setting will do this totally but having less of the gem exposed to potential knocking/banging does help.

2. Understand what treatments have been applied to the stone. Some are more durable than others AND some need to be re-done periodically to keep the Emerald looking its best. Josh at Embassy Emeralds is a mine of information and you could contact him for a loose stone if you're open to buying one loose and then setting it.

3. Do not ever get an Emerald near hot water. Emeralds can crack with changes in temperature. Not always but you need to be aware of it. Take the ring off when washing hands, washing up etc etc.

In terms of choosing an Emerald you need to consider the following:-

1. Oiling is considered a normal treatment but there are different types of oil and it's good to know which has been used.
2. Has the Emerald been filled? If yes, what with? Opticon is I believe the preferred filler now but there are others.
3. The amount of "jardin" or internal inclusions. Too many and it may stop the stone from performing. Some unscrupulous sellers will tell you to buy one with lots of jardin because that's what makes a good Emerald. Totally untrue! Whilst a level of jardin is expected, the less, the better!
4. There are composite Emeralds on the market and if you're buying from an unknown source, you should be aware of this! Don't buy a composite as they may not last long.
5. There are a fair amount of synthetics and simulants sold as Emeralds. Make sure that you buy from a reputable source and it would be wise to get a lab report from AGL also (helps with insuring the ring anyway).
6. Colour is important in choosing an Emerald but your own preference is what's important. Generally too light/too dark/too included are not the most desirable.
7. Location will also play a part in cost. Colombian Emeralds are generally considered to be better than other localities BUT don't rule out ones from other locations if they appeal to you.

I would highly recommend contacting Josh as a first pass.

Emerald Ring1.JPG
 
I'm not sure if this is your style but Dover (already mentioned) has a few emerald engagment rings. Both Keplie and I myself have purchased emeralds from Dover and been very happy with our purchases- if I remember correctly her ring was actually GRAFF!

http://www.doverjewelry.com/catalog/rings/300ct_antique_diamond_emerald_platinum_engagement_ring.html

Dover does inflate their estimation prices and if treatment is an issue for you then I would let them know you want a larger window of return so you can have the emerald tested etc. I have used Dover several times and always been happy with my purchases from there.

Goodluck!
 
Ruby Lane has a lot of emerald rings, and I tend to trust that site more than ebay. Though I would trust buying from a cutter recommended here more than even that - I believe Master Cut Gems is going to start posting some emeralds Dana recently cut sometime in the next month.

Here is one I have been ogling from Ruby Lane, it's not an emerald center stone but it sure is GREEN:
http://www.rubylane.com/item/518197-RGC12456V/Stunning-2ct-Diamond-Emerald-Edwardian

You should probably talk to your girlfriend about the things people on here have mentioned about emeralds, and see what she'd like to do. While emeralds can be worn for everyday wear, they are not for everyone and will require different care than diamonds.
 
Thank you all for the wonderful advice and links. I was so surprised to see all of the responses when I logged in this evening -- and to those who posted photos of their emerald rings, wow, you have some beautiful rings!

I'm definitely concerned about the durability of an emerald and I've been hinting around at some other possibilities. She seems fairly open to alternatives, but I can tell she really likes the look of emeralds. As novices, I can understand her hesitation with a Tsavorite -- they are very beautiful, but unless you are well versed in colored stones, Tsavorite doesn't have quite the same appeal as saying, "I really love my emerald ring."

I really liked some of the offerings found on the links everyone suggested. Here are a few styles that I think she would really like. These are out of my price range, but they give a general idea of the style she likes. Strangely enough, she doesn't seem to have much of a desire for a lot of diamond accents -- she's more interested in the main emerald setting:

http://www.langantiques.com/products/item/30-91-1806

http://www.newyorkestatejewelry.com...ald-diamond-18k-white--gold-ring/16498/3/item

http://www.doverjewelry.com/vintage_4200ct_diamond_emerald_18k_gold_cocktail_ring.html

I'll keep hinting around about the idea of other green stones, but if anyone sees any other listings please let me know. I really appreciate all of the help. I mentioned it before, but I'm quite a novice when it comes to colored stones, so all of your advice has been a tremendous help. Hopefully I can find the perfect ring for her!
 
The rings you linked to are very nice -- she likes classic styles, obviously.

My advice is to stop hinting & have a conversation. Show her what you've found out about emeralds. It's a fairly big investment, especially when you're just starting out & you should both make it with your eyes open. No criticism intended -- an emerald e-ring would be glorious! If she's willing to live with the care (per LD's post, e.g.) needed to keep it from chipping or compromising any treatment. If so, great! But tell her what's involved & let her decide. If people are gonna be married, they need to be able to talk about stuff like this. Of course you want to please her & the work you're putting into it is very loving, but as an adult she should want to know that wearing an emerald ring is not at all the same as a diamond, ruby, or sapphire. Otherwise she could end up sad to have an e-ring she can't wear as easily.

Depending on how big a "decent sized emerald" is to you both, you might find it easier to stay in budget by buying the stone first, then a setting. Take a look here -- I haven't bought from this seller but feedback is good & maybe somebody here has used them. They can source the emerald for you & mount it, or I'm sure you could get the setting for your own stone.

http://www.etsy.com/shop/RareEarth/search?search_query=engagement+rings&page=1

Under the "Mountings" category they didn't show emerald-ring examples, but this is a nice one w/a tsavorite -- not recommending that specifically; however, the ring style looks possible for her. Quite a few other nice ones there.
 
Please be aware, even the other green stones mentioned in this thread need a great deal of care also and are NOT considered suitable for everyday wear for an e-ring i.e. Tsavorites, Tourmalines etc.

If you're going to go for a non-diamond, non-corrundum ring, you may as well go with an Emerald as with a Tsav or Tourmaline!
 
True, LD. Corundum & diamonds are about all you can wear any time, anywhere. Emeralds require imo more careful handling than most other gems, though tourmalines come close & other stones not mentioned too, like zircons, etc. Question of degree, I guess, what the wearer is willing to do (or not do). Your point is good, that if you're not going to go for the 2 most durable categories, you might as well have what thrills you -- as long as you know the score re care.
 
I think the crucial issue, which almost all of us have touched on, is that your SO needs to understand what is involved in owning and wearing an emerald. It seems to me that this is an absolutely crucial conversation to have, since most people who are not fans of colored stones just think "It's hard, what's the big deal?" Until you have that conversation, all the links to settings, etc are moot, IMO.

If you have any doubts at all about her willingness to baby an emerald e-ring, your next option might be a sapphire, which has the recognition factor that an emerald has, but without as much baby-ing involved in the care and wearing.
 
LD|1325510313|3093406 said:
Hello and welcome! :wavey:

Well, I'm going to buck the trend and say if your g/f wants an Emerald engagement ring then that's exactly what you should get BUT you both need to know how to look after them. I don't believe that if somebody wants an Emerald they would be happy with a Tourmaline or a Tsavorite as they DO look different. Only very fine Tsavs may come close to an Emerald but even then they still look different. Anyway, Tourmalines and Tsavs still need to be looked after just as Emeralds do so don't be swayed to look at other stones - it's not worth it!!!!

I wouldn't however buy from the Ebay store you linked to because they don't appear to specialise in coloured stones and seem to work with diamonds more. There is also far too little information on the Emerald itself to make me feel comfortable although they may well respond if you ask them questions.

Just to get this "you can't wear it everyday" concept into some form of reality I'd like to say that this is not true. The only gemstones that you can wear everyday without really giving much thought to the care are diamonds and corrundum (sapphires/rubies). However, even these can be chipped, fractured and broken!

Below I'm posting my inherited Emerald ring. It's over 100 years old (I think totally untreated) and was worn by my Mother daily for at least 40 years if not more. There is only one tiny chip otherwise it's in immaculate condition.

So, how can you wear it safely?

1. Try to get a ring that protects the stone as much as possible - no setting will do this totally but having less of the gem exposed to potential knocking/banging does help.

2. Understand what treatments have been applied to the stone. Some are more durable than others AND some need to be re-done periodically to keep the Emerald looking its best. Josh at Embassy Emeralds is a mine of information and you could contact him for a loose stone if you're open to buying one loose and then setting it.

3. Do not ever get an Emerald near hot water. Emeralds can crack with changes in temperature. Not always but you need to be aware of it. Take the ring off when washing hands, washing up etc etc.

In terms of choosing an Emerald you need to consider the following:-

1. Oiling is considered a normal treatment but there are different types of oil and it's good to know which has been used.
2. Has the Emerald been filled? If yes, what with? Opticon is I believe the preferred filler now but there are others.
3. The amount of "jardin" or internal inclusions. Too many and it may stop the stone from performing. Some unscrupulous sellers will tell you to buy one with lots of jardin because that's what makes a good Emerald. Totally untrue! Whilst a level of jardin is expected, the less, the better!
4. There are composite Emeralds on the market and if you're buying from an unknown source, you should be aware of this! Don't buy a composite as they may not last long.
5. There are a fair amount of synthetics and simulants sold as Emeralds. Make sure that you buy from a reputable source and it would be wise to get a lab report from AGL also (helps with insuring the ring anyway).
6. Colour is important in choosing an Emerald but your own preference is what's important. Generally too light/too dark/too included are not the most desirable.
7. Location will also play a part in cost. Colombian Emeralds are generally considered to be better than other localities BUT don't rule out ones from other locations if they appeal to you.

I would highly recommend contacting Josh as a first pass.
Click to expand...

I am glad that the poster is getting a heads up on the care of emeralds, but I do feel that if the girlfriend wants an emerald, he should try to fulfil her dream. My engagement ring was an emerald, because my heart was set on it. I wore it pretty much every day for years without a problem (I even ultrasonicated it a number of times before I found out that was a no no!). unfortunately I lost it but if I hadn't I have no doubt I would still be wearing it with pride and joy.
Anyone wearing fine jewelry (including diamonds and sapphires) should take care of their jewelry. But what is the use of buying something and not wearing it? Simply get the nicest quality stone in your price setting, put it in a protective setting, and get insurance. And enjoy! I look forward to hearing about your search.
 
and the guy that posted re wanting an aqua e-ring for his girlfiend should have bought that aqua as well......i actually think aqua is a wee bit more sturdy than emerald but not much. they suffer from many of the same characteristics.

i'd also recommend considering cabachons as well for an e-ring.....facets are nice but will wear with time. anyone wearing a faceted emerald for 30 years [if it survives] will end up with one anyway. but then i've seen sapphires end up that way, too.

either way, while i wouldn't want a sapphire e-ring due to its ease of fracturing, i'd say make sure she knows the downsides as well....

also, i didn't know there were differences re oiling and that some will need to be re oiled. lots of good info in posts here!
 
part gypsy|1325613155|3094117 said:
I am glad that the poster is getting a heads up on the care of emeralds, but I do feel that if the girlfriend wants an emerald, he should try to fulfil her dream. My engagement ring was an emerald, because my heart was set on it. I wore it pretty much every day for years without a problem (I even ultrasonicated it a number of times before I found out that was a no no!). unfortunately I lost it but if I hadn't I have no doubt I would still be wearing it with pride and joy.
Anyone wearing fine jewelry (including diamonds and sapphires) should take care of their jewelry. But what is the use of buying something and not wearing it? Simply get the nicest quality stone in your price setting, put it in a protective setting, and get insurance. And enjoy! I look forward to hearing about your search.
Click to expand...

I don't disagree with this, but I think it's always a good idea to give the customary cautions, as I think most (all?) of us on this thread have done. Just recently one of my brothers-in-law managed to shear off almost the entire table of a ruby that he had inherited from his father because he had absolutely no idea that rubies required any special care. I believe he was lifting weights when the mishap occurred :shock:

So I always think it's worth finding out what level of care a poster is expecting to exercise, especially with something like an engagement ring.
 
"Just recently one of my brothers-in-law managed to shear off almost the entire table of a ruby that he had inherited from his father because he had absolutely no idea that rubies required any special care. I believe he was lifting weights when the mishap occurred "

OMG that's horrifying! It makes me wonder, what are people thinking? It's like someone thinking since diamonds are hard, you can hit them with a hammer or something.
 
doesn't even take a hammer to damage a diamond....it too if just hit in the wrong time and place can shatter/chip/fracture. but at least the chances are higher to escape that heartbreaking scenario. still, it didn't stop me from getting a color stone e-ring.

again, i'm all for making the intended happy with the stone of her choice as long as she realizes BEFORE the purchase just what the "complications" might be of owning such a stone.
 
Some more ideas:
http://www.etsy.com/listing/79522657/3-carat-fine-columbian-emerald-cut?ref=sr_gallery_20&ga_search_submit=&ga_search_query=emerald+ring&ga_order=price_desc&ga_ship_to=US&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_page=0&ga_search_type=vintage&ga_facet=vintage

http://www.etsy.com/listing/88974423/vintage-emerald-diamond-cluster?ref=sr_gallery_23&ga_search_submit=&ga_search_query=emerald+ring&ga_order=price_desc&ga_ship_to=US&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_page=0&ga_search_type=vintage&ga_facet=vintage

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=200677409993

http://www.ebay.com/itm/FABULOUS-EMERALD-OLD-CUT-DIAMOND-15CT-CLUSTER-RING-/380390393138?pt=UK_Jewellery_Watches_VintageFineJewellery_CA&hash=item589108c532

http://www.ebay.com/itm/BEAUTIFUL-1CT-EMERALD-1-10CT-DIAMOND-18CT-CLUSTER-RING-/200657321274?pt=UK_Jewellery_Watches_VintageFineJewellery_CA&hash=item2eb81bbd3a

http://www.ebay.com/itm/SPECTACULAR-3-80CT-EMERALD-1-10CT-DIAMOND-18CT-RING-/350211811954?pt=UK_Jewellery_Watches_VintageFineJewellery_CA&hash=item518a402a72
 
milton333|1325821234|3096237 said:
OP, you might find good advice in this thread about an emerald e-ring: [URL='https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/my-story-3-6ct-cushion-cut-emerald-in-vc-trueste-setting.170166/']https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/my-story-3-6ct-cushion-cut-emerald-in-vc-trueste-setting.170166/[/URL]
Click to expand...

Wow, that is a great link -- and almost exactly what we're looking for (size of the emerald, solitaire, etc.). I'm thinking it's worth sourcing a stone and then searching for a setting, preferably white gold. Thanks again for these links -- this is a tremendous help!
 
So we settled on an emerald ring. I'm taking the advice that so many of you recommended and I'm sourcing an emerald and having a setting made for it. We looked at some antique rings this past week for inspiration and she really liked the filigree style with a border around the stone. This looks similar to the style she was pointing out -- except it would be emerald cut. It doesn't need to be this exact pattern by any means, just a similar style that would look good with a rectangular stone:

artnouveauchristmasgifts1.jpg

Do any of you know of a designer who would do this type of work? If so, is this type of design really expensive to create?
 
I would at least discuss it with Michael e who has created a host of beautiful rings for PS folks. Not exactly the same style, but here is one he designed and made for one PSer. His attention to detail and his fine craftmanship is what made me save this ring in my ideas archive.

Faegrace Michael e.jpg
 
What is Michael E's company?
 
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