Connected to some of the most exciting tales of the past, the rich green of emeralds has captivated and thrilled mankind for centuries. Legends and lore tell that adorning oneself with emeralds will provide supernatural powers to reveal truth, protect from disease and make one an excellent orator. Prior to the discovery of emeralds in Colombia by the Spanish, emeralds were largely found in the Egyptian mines, made famous by Cleopatra.
Emerald is part of the Beryl family which includes aquamarine and heliodor. The most coveted emeralds are found in the South American country of Colombia. Of all Colombian emerald mines, the Muzo and Chivor mines are especially renowned for producing high quality emeralds. Emeralds from the famed Muzo mines in central Colombia have a distinctive saturated green hue with a bluish undertone. These mines have been in operation since ancient times and continue to be the standard upon which all emeralds are graded for quality. The Chivor mines from a nearby area have a characteristic light yellowish-green hue. The most prized Colombian emeralds are coloured by the trace element chromium, which gives these stones a recognisable glow in natural daylight.
Antique and vintage emerald rings come in many styles. These include solitaires, three stones, coronet clusters, clusters and crossover designs, there is something to suit everyone. Due to the unique nature of the gemstone, emeralds lend themselves well to specific cuts and settings. The emerald-cut was named after the precious gemstone as this cut protects the gem, whilst maximising its rich green colour. Typically displayed alongside diamonds, the calming green of the emerald suits both the richly vibrant yellow gold and the reflective brightness of platinum, making emeralds a popular choice for engagement rings.
Our passion for antique and vintage emerald rings, such as antique engagement rings, is shown through the collection we have to offer. With a variety of diamond and emerald pieces, Berganza only sources the finest handcrafted vintage rings. Explore some of the world's rarest antique emerald rings, including marquise wedding rings, Art Deco wedding rings, as well as Edwardian emerald rings, online and in-store.
Emeralds are a precious gemstone and a member of the Beryl family. They are famous for their rich green hue. They are also said to have supernatural powers, such as revealing truth and protecting from disease. Emeralds are most often displayed on antique emerald rings with rich and vibrant yellow gold in order to maximise the appearance of the striking green.
Emeralds are 7.5 to 8 on the Mohs scale, meaning they are durable, yet they need to be cared for properly. It is best to clean an emerald with a soft cloth to remove any dust and dirt from the surface of the stone. The fact that many emerald rings currently on the market are vintage emerald rings or Art Deco emerald rings hints at their durability. To prolong the life of your antique emerald rings, you should look after them carefully.
The emerald cut was often used for coloured gemstones from the Victorian era, but became popular in the Art Deco era as a diamond cut. It is called an emerald-cut as the cut was originally designed for emeralds, enabling the beauty of the striking green stones to shine through. The emerald cut dates back to the 1500’s, making it a common feature of antique rings and vintage rings.
The cost of an emerald depends on the quality and size of the stone, as well as market demand. As a point of reference, natural unenhanced emeralds are much rarer than diamonds, meaning they can demand a higher price.
A cluster design is particularly popular for diamond emerald rings across the eras. Diamond and emerald rings often consist of a central emerald surrounded by smaller diamonds. Platinum and yellow gold are the most common metals that are chosen to complete diamond emerald rings. Other popular styles are a solitaire, a single emerald set on a band, or a three stone design with a central emerald and a diamond either side.
