The Best Vintage Emerald Cut Engagement Rings: Complete Buyer's Guide

Elegant step cut facets give emerald diamonds their distinctively frosty, sparkling appearance. Even though fashionistas have loved emerald cut diamonds for years, their appeal has recently increased a little. As more and more women (like Beyonce, who has a vintage emerald cut engagement ring) are drawn to their distinctly glamorous beauty, emerald cut diamonds have been popular for earrings, necklaces, and engagement rings. Even though this distinctive form has grown in popularity, only about 5% of customers opt for an emerald cut diamond.

There are a few things you should be aware of when looking for an emerald diamond if you count yourself among those who enjoy its unique beauty. This post will discuss vintage emerald cut engagement rings, including what they are, what to look for when purchasing one, how much they cost, and the best settings for them. Here is all the information you require on purchasing an emerald cut diamond.

Antique Emerald Cut

The emerald cut diamond first emerged during the 1500’s, although witnessed a rise in popularity during the Art Deco era of the 1920’s and 1930’s. However, the antique emerald cut diamond also reached a new peak in the 1970s, and mid-century modern engagement rings started to feature clean lines.

The emerald cut, often known as a square emerald cut, is a classy and vintage diamond shape. It was originally designed for emeralds but quickly gained popularity as a diamond cut. A window into its captivating beauty can be found in its lengthy facets and broad table. That’s perhaps the reason why it’s been popular for more than 700 years.

What Is Emerald Cut Diamond?

The crown and pavilion of the rectangular emerald cut diamond have several rows of stepped facets that are parallel to the girdle. It has 57 or 58 facets, just like most other diamond shapes. The concentric arrangement of its facets gives emerald diamonds their famous shimmering “Hall of Mirrors” look. Based on their ratio, emerald diamonds can appear longer or more square.

This diamond shape is dubbed the “emerald cut” since its cut was initially employed on emeralds. Due to their softer nature and frequent inclusions, emeralds are typically more brittle than diamonds. To protect emeralds from shattering during the cutting process, artists in the 1500s began cutting them with linear, step cut facets, which became customary for the stone. Stonecutters eventually noticed that diamonds also looked lovely with the emerald cut, therefore the vintage emerald cut diamond was formed.

More Related: Diamond Buying Guide

Is a Vintage Emerald Cut Engagement Ring a Good Choice?

Yes. Of course, that depends on you and your future spouse. Vintage emerald cut engagement rings are distinct from other diamond rings in their quality and cut because they have broad rectangular facets that taper down to produce a “hall of mirrors” look. Emerald rings offer a distinctive vintage touch that is both seductive and utterly mesmerizing, in contrast to other brilliant cut diamonds.

Similar to asscher engagement rings, emerald cut diamonds became fashionable in the 1920s, a time when art deco design was characterized by sharp angles and clean lines. Emerald diamonds offer a distinctive aesthetic that harmonizes beautifully with geometric surrounds when incorporated to a vintage ring design.

Emerald diamonds are especially clear and dazzling because they have bigger facets. Even though this is a distinctive design that is quite popular, it’s crucial to remember that some inclusions might be more obvious in such engagement rings. For this reason, we advise selecting an emerald diamond with no or extremely few discernible imperfections. Please get in touch with our jewelry experts if you need further details.

Pros and Cons of Vintage Emerald-Cut Engagement Rings

It’s no secret that emerald cut diamonds are a popular choice for engagement rings due to their beautiful, understated traditional style. You can’t go wrong with an emerald cut diamond, whether you choose to wear it alone, as part of a three-stone ring, or with a variety of accent stones. A beautiful wedding band can also be crafted from a series of emerald cut stones due to the cut’s symmetry and precision. Wearing an emerald cut diamond can be a symbol of your appreciation for its beauty and grace. Engagement rings with an emerald cut look particularly lovely on the hand since they extend the finger. For whatever reason, a vintage emerald cut engagement ring will make you feel like a princess on your happily ever after.

If you’re shopping for a vintage emerald-cut diamond engagement ring, like we recommends, you should pay special attention to the clarity and color grade of the stone rather than the carat weight or the shape itself.

On the other hand, there are some drawbacks to consider. According to Kelsie, “emerald-cut diamonds show defects and color easily because of the big table and open facets.” She recommends looking for a diamond that has “a minimum clarity grade of VS2 or better and a color grade of H or higher,” and she also notes that many buyers prefer whiter diamonds than yellow ones. More Related: Choosing Your Emerald Cut Moissanite Engagement Ring: Comparing Diamond

Meaning And Symbolism

Religious Symbolism

The emerald cut’s four corners of rectangular shape can relate to the world’s four major religions, where the number four holds significant symbolic meaning. There are four Gospels in Christianity, four Holy Books in Islam, four Noble Truths in Buddhism, and four stages of life in Hinduism.

Numeric Symbolism

When it comes to the emerald cut diamond, the number four is strongly associated with it. There are four sides of a rectangle, which corresponds to the four seasons, four cardinal directors of the compass, and the four phases of the moon. Any of these numerical links might be a great symbolic for a couple to share.

Celebrity Effect

If you’re a fan of classic or modern Hollywood glitz, an emerald cut diamond is a safe bet. This style has decorated the fingers of prominent stars such Grace Kelly, Liz Taylor, Beyonce and Jennifer Lopez.

Popularity

According to a recent poll conducted by Ringspo.com, only 2.8% of adults have an emerald cut diamond set in their engagement ring. The round brilliant cut and the princess cut are the two most common diamond shapes. So, if you want your engagement ring unique, you could choose an emerald cut diamond or maybe other colored gemstones. More Related: Diamond Engagement Rings for Women – Elleroses

Tips For Choosing Your Perfect Emerald Cut Diamond

The requirements for an emerald cut diamond might vary, and as with other diamonds, your own preferences should come first when making your choice. Therefore, the following advice will help you pick the greatest vintage emerald cut diamond.

Dimensions And The 4 Cs

Length, Width & Depth

Choose your preferred length to width ratio. By dividing the diamond’s length by its breadth, this ratio can be calculated intuitively. An emerald diamond can be a long, thin rectangle or an almost square form, depending on the LxW ratio.

The optimal ratio for emerald cut diamonds, according to Ritani’s gemologists, is 1.45 to 1.55, while some people prefer the longer, thinner cuts (about 1.6), while others prefer the shorter, squarer cuts (around 1.3).

The amount of light the diamond reflects will also depend on the diamond’s overall depth %. For the most brilliance, aim for a depth percentage of 60% to 70% of the stone’s width.

Color Grade

The “best” color grading for emerald cut diamonds does not exist (or any diamond). The color grade you select should ultimately be dependent on what you find most appealing, even though diamond grading laboratories frequently place a premium on colorless diamonds. Since Ritani began selling diamonds in 1999, many customers have grown to appreciate the somewhat warmer tones of a G or H diamond over the colorlessness of a D, E, or F diamond (as well as the lower pricing).

Cut Grade

The degree of a diamond’s dimensions and symmetry is known as its “diamond cut grade.” While the GIA and the AGS do not evaluate emerald-shaped diamonds on their cut quality, they do rate them on their polish and symmetry. Since polish, symmetry, and proportions are reliable predictors of sparkle in the absence of a real cut grade, many diamond sellers use them to approximate the cut grade of an emerald-shaped diamond. For the most sparkle, choose an emerald cut diamond with Excellent polish and Excellent symmetry ratings.

Clarity Rating

Due to its lengthy, wide facets, emerald cut diamonds don’t hide flaws effectively, thus clarity (or the absence of inclusions) is crucial. An eye-clean VVS1 clarity grade or better is advised.

Carat Weight

An emerald-shaped diamond’s price can differ significantly from one carat weight to the next. Look for a diamond in the desired carat weight range that has the proper proportions, symmetry, and polish.

What Is The Best Setting For Vintage Emerald Cut Diamond Ring?

Let’s go through several options for mounting emerald-cut diamonds. Diamonds in the emerald cut are beautiful no matter where you put them. Ultimately, it’s up to you to decide which one is best. Although emerald cut diamonds look stunning in any type of setting, solitaire settings and halo settings are particularly well-suited to showcasing the diamond’s brilliance. For a truly magnificent vintage-inspired engagement ring, consider an emerald cut diamond surrounded by a halo of smaller diamonds.

Our Favorite 5 Vintage Emerald Cut Engagement Rings

Vintage Emerald Cut Engagement Ring Cubic Zirconia Split Shank Engagement Ring in Sterling Silver

This split shank ring set with cubic zirconias is sure to turn heads wherever you go. A vintage emerald-cut colorless gemstone is set as the centerpiece of this exquisite ring. This already stunning ring is made even more so by the additional stones that decorate the split band’s shoulders.

Learn More

Emerald Cut Vintage Engagement Ring Amethyst 1950s Engagement Rings in Sterling Silver

This 1940s vintage sterling silver ring features a emerald cut amethyst in a pastel lavender hue. It’s a lovely light purple tint that’s slightly see-through. The ring’s shanks were carved to resemble architectural details, and it was finished with a thick, extra-large band.

Learn More

Emerald Cut Vintage Engagement Rings Sapphire and Illusion Set Diamond Engagement Ring

The focal stones and spare ornamentation are the sources of our design’s originality. This is precisely what this vintage emerald cut sapphire ring represents. We sought a new sensation with the dark opaque blue sapphire that would complement our distinctive illusion set in a modern way.

Learn More

Vintage Emerald Cut Engagement Rings Citrine and Diamond Ring in 10k Yellow Gold

This Citrine ring is reminiscent of a bygone era and would look great with any outfit. The emerald-cut Citrine center stone is 10 mm by 8 mm, and accented by smaller round diamonds. The ring’s milgrain detailing creates a vintage look. This 10k yellow gold ring is a gorgeous accessory.

Learn More

Vintage Emerald Cut Engagement Rings Green Tourmaline and Diamond Halo Engagement Ring in 18k Gold

This engagement ring features a single green emerald-cut tourmaline that is the focal point of the design. However, the diamond pavé band ensures that this ornament will still catch your eye.

Learn More

Maintenance for Vintage Emerald-Cut Diamond Engagement Rings

Engagement ring with an emerald cut diamond should be washed in warm, soapy water. we recommend using a toothbrush with soft bristles to clean in between the prongs and other hard-to-reach places. Your diamond ring requires annual professional cleaning in addition to your regular at-home maintenance. Jewelers can tighten the prongs so your diamond doesn’t become lost and they can also professionally polish your ring to make it seem just as stunning as the day you bought it.

FAQs

Is there a price premium for an Emerald cut diamond?

Diamonds with an emerald cut are so uncommon that only 3% of all diamonds are cut in this vintage style, which explains why they are so expensive. Because of its elongated design and big table, however, you can buy a diamond that appears slightly larger than other shapes for a lesser price per carat.

How much does a ring with an emerald-cut stone cost?

Choosing the diamond and the setting for your emerald cut vintage engagement ring will determine the final cost. To assist you in making a diamond purchase, our online services are second to none, we’re here to help you locate the perfect ring.