Are Green Engagement Rings A Real Thing?

Nowadays, engagement rings come in all shapes, sizes and even colours. Anyone who has looked into the market for any length of time, or who is familiar with precious metals, will already know about the existence of white, pink, yellow, silver or even black rings and bands. But even the wisest jewellery specialist would cock an eyebrow at the mention of green engagement rings. The term seems like something that should rightfully only exist in science-fiction stories about extra-terrestrials getting married, or alternatively as some eco-friendly alternative to the traditional diamond offerings.

It does, therefore, come as a bit of a surprise to find out that green engagement rings are an actual thing, and are specifically a variant of gold rings, comparable to pink or white gold, for example. While significantly less common than either of those variants (therefore explaining their relative obscurity), these rings can nonetheless constitute a somewhat worthy alternative for shoppers looking for something a little more out of the ordinary to wear on their finger.

Again, in similar fashion to pink or white gold, green gold can only be obtained artificially; all ‘natural’ gold found in nature is exclusively yellow. For this particular colour, the alloy is obtained by mixing pure yellow gold with pure silver, resulting in a slightly green-tinted variant of the traditional gold colour. When creating green engagement rings, this combination is often reinforced with a stabilising metal such as nickel or zinc, in order to make the piece harder and more durable. Naturally, the higher the percentage of gold on one of these pieces, the higher its carat.

Despite its obscure nature, green gold was known to the Lydians as far back as 860 B.C. Back then, the material was known as ‘electrum’, but its base was made up of roughly the same alloys used to obtain this variant in the present day, leading historians and experts to consider that the two are, in fact, the exact same thing.

Green gold is said to work particularly well when worn directly next to white, pink or yellow gold, as it creates a striking visual effect. This does not mean, however, that the hue does not stand well on its own; green engagement rings have an appeal all their own and will not pale in comparison to their better-known pink or white counterparts. While the term ‘greenish-tinted gold’ might conjure up images of oxidation, that is not what is going on with these rings at all. In fact, the green is understated and reasonably uniform, ensuring green gold rings look good when worn on a finger.

In short, then, a green gold engagement ring can be an excellent option if you are looking for something slightly different to wear as a symbol of love.

Frank L Orman is the founder of the F&L Designer Guides, compiled and written to help consumers choose a unique engagement ring design. From green engagement rings to princess cuts and engraved bands, 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.