Emerald Cut Engagement Rings
Getting engaged is a very special time in your life. Choosing a ring that she will still love 30 years from now takes time. Emerald cut engagement rings have recently come back into fashion due in part to Jennifer Lopez choosing one for her engagement ring. She has good judgment as the beauty of this particular cut shows any precious stone off to perfection.
Most engagement rings are made with diamonds. Some only contain this stone but others will have emeralds, sapphires or a ruby as the main stone with diamonds on the surround. The type of precious stone you chose will be dictated to some degree by your budget but your wife to be’s preferences should also be taken into account. After all she will be wearing the engagement ring.
What is the significance of engagement rings? Pope Innocent III declared that there should be a waiting time between becoming betrothed (getting engaged) and the wedding. The ring was used as a symbol to tell the world that these women had already been chosen for marriage. In the times of Pope Innocent, the ring was usually a plain band much like a wedding band today. It was only later that people started adding precious stones to these rings.
Emerald Cut diamonds are rectangular in shape with oblong facets across the corners and on each side. The gemstone cutter will miter the four corners as otherwise they could either get chipped or snag your clothing. Other names for this particular cut include the step cut, trap and octagon cut.
This particular cut reflects less light than other cuts so it should only be used with a quality stone and it works very well with colored stones such as emeralds, sapphires and rubies as the play of color intensifies and reflects more light.
If you are going to have an emerald cut diamond solitaire, your stone should be at least one carat with a clarity grade of at least VS2 as otherwise the flaws could be visible. If you cannot afford a diamond of this quality, then you might want to go for another cut such as the less demanding but perhaps more beautiful Assher cut.
What does a diamond signify anyway? One of the reasons diamonds are so popular in engagement and wedding bands is that they represent innocence, fidelity and purity. Be careful though, as it is also said that a diamond will intensify the personal qualities of the wearer. So if your fiancé has a hot temper, you may have quite a turbulent but passionate relationship!
Emeralds have long been associated with wealth and Love. Cleopatra was seemingly a huge fan and in Greek mythology emeralds were the favorite stone of Aphrodite, the Greek goddess of love and beauty.
A sapphire became fashionable in the middle ages when they were thought to promote tranquility, peace and hope. Perhaps if you want a long and amicable relationship, this precious stone is the one to choose as it is supposed to help you achieve your dreams.