Diamonds have long been the stone of choice for engagement rings, but in recent times stones such as rubies, sapphires and emeralds have become popular alternatives. We have already looked at the ruby and the sapphire, and in this article we look at the emerald engagement ring.

There are many reasons why a couple may opt against the usual route of a diamond engagement ring and choose an emerald design. Some of the most common reasons include:

• A break from tradition: In the same way that not everyone wants to get married in a church, an emerald ring is a little bit different to the traditional methods, and can represent the start of a new and exciting chapter in a couple’s life.

• The significance of the gem: Emeralds have particularly strong links to Ireland - the ‘Emerald Isle’, they are considered a lucky stone, they are the birthstone for the month of May, and they are the gemstones for the astrological signs of Taurus and Cancer. For anyone that emerald carries a significance for, it makes a particularly good choice of engagement ring.

• Some people simply fall in love with the vibrant green hue of the stone, which has an enchanting beauty found in few other gemstones.

A combination of diamonds and emeralds is the usual for an engagement ring, and one of the most famous emerald rings was a 2.88 carat diamond and emerald engagement ring given to future bride Jacqueline Bouvier by future US President John F. Kennedy in 1953.

Larger Emeralds can often have internal flaws, meaning that good quality stones over 5 carats are extremely rare and valuable. It is for this reason that the stones are most commonly used in rings and earrings, rather than necklaces and pendants. Emeralds are also hard but brittle, which means that emerald engagement rings should be handled with care.

As well as emerald being excellent for an engagement ring, the 55^th wedding anniversary is known as the Emerald Anniversary - so those lucky enough to get to that landmark can mark it with an exchange of emerald rings!