Are Green Sapphire Engagement Rings a Real Alternative to Emeralds?

It is the intense grass-green colour that makes emeralds one of the most popular gemstones. However, there are a lot of disadvantages that come with this stone, and the question is whether green sapphire engagement rings should be considered a better alternative.

Emeralds and green sapphires are not like rubies and pink sapphires, for while the latter are both members of the corundum family, emeralds are formed from a mineral called beryl. Emeralds are a fairly hard gemstone, according to the Mohs scale of hardness, measuring an 8. But when compared to diamond’s score of 10 and sapphire’s 9, this scale is not what it seems. In fact, a diamond is approximately 90 times harder than an emerald, and the problem with an emerald engagement ring, which you typically wear everyday, is that it may not withstand normal daily abuse. This would not be a problem with green sapphire engagement rings which are considerably harder and more durable than emeralds.

Emeralds also naturally have many inclusions, unlike other gemstones, although this does not always detract from the value of the gem. In addition to making the stone more fragile, It is these inclusions that cause additional problems with emerald engagement rings, as the oil or other fracture filling substances used to hide the inclusions can sometimes leak out over time, simply as a result of normal daily wear.

Deep green is the most desirable colour in emeralds, while the paler shades hold lesser value. In fact, the very pale green stones are not even privileged with the name ‘emeralds’ but are labelled as ‘green beryl’. Green sapphire engagement rings, which used to be called ‘oriental emeralds’ before the name was deemed misleading, can occur in various colours, ranging from light mint green to dark forest green. It is thought that the finest of these come from Sri Lanka, although these are very rare, but the majority of green sapphires hail from Thailand or Australia. However, many believe that the colour of green sapphires leaves a little to be desired, as it tends towards a paler, lime green shade and is deemed to be hardly comparable to the beautiful, deep, velvety green of emeralds.

It seems that while green sapphire engagement rings may be the more practical choice, they are certainly not the more aesthetic choice. As a result, it seems unlikely that green sapphires will become an overly popular choice for couples, and emeralds, despite their flaws, will continue to be the first stop for couples looking for a green engagement ring.

Frederick Holm is staff writer for of the F&L Designer Guides, compiled and written to help consumers choose a unique engagement ring design. From a diamond to sapphire engagement rings, from a princess cut to a platinum band, we have ideas and opinions covering all the options. Offering advice, tips and suggestions on how to choose that perfect ring, F&L will accompany you on every stage of your search to find the right designer.

Writer and Online Marketing Manager in London.