emerald rings
Emerald rings are hugely popular all over the world and our beautiful collection showcases some of the finest examples of rings for men and women, emerald engagement rings, and emerald wedding rings available. The collection includes pieces from our Promise Collection, an array of rings perfect for that special person in your life. Our Claddagh Jewelry Collection also has a beautiful selection of emerald rings which combines the romance, commitment and love of the Claddagh ring design with the mystery and history of that wonderfully green precious stone. Our Claddagh Birthstone Ring for the month of May contains the emerald stone, another expression of the versatility and universality of the emerald.
Synonymous with Ireland, the Emerald Isle, with its rolling green hills and shamrocks, emerald rings make the perfect gift from Ireland; encompassing the stunning style and designs of emerald rings in white gold and emerald rings in yellow gold and even silver, with the thousands of years of majesty and magnificence of the emerald stone. Emerald rings for women and men contain thousands of years of history and legacy, making it the perfect choice for those interested in a piece of jewelry with the potential to inspire generations.
the power of emerald rings
Fascinated by many cultures, the emerald gem has been prized by nations all over the world for over six thousand years. Ancient people ascribed many powers and magical qualities to emeralds. Emerald jewelry and emerald rings were symbols of fertility and rebirth, helping to express love, commitment and worship. It was also thought that emeralds empowered people with the ability to predict the future and to tell if something was true or false, if the gem was put on the tongue or worn on the left side of the body. Fascinatingly emeralds were also believed to make people more honest and intelligent, with many scholars wore the stone to improve their memory and become more articulate.
One of the greatest civilisations, the Egyptians, prized the emerald stone and produced some of the most beautiful emeralds ever mined. The first emerald mines were opened in Egypt and produced the treasured stones from before 2000BC to about 1200AD. The emerald is believed to have been the favourite gem of the great Cleopatra, the last Pharaoh and Queen of Egypt, and the mine that had been active for so long, was renamed the Cleopatra Mine in honor of the jewelry loving Pharaoh. Cleopatra’s Mines turned out many stones and a number of them are displayed in museums around the world. Egyptians thought that the green color of the precious stone was a symbol of the renewal of the earth during spring and so associated emeralds with rebirth and the ease of childbirth. Mummies were often buried with emeralds in the hope they would be given eternal youth in the afterlife.
One of the earliest references to the precious stone in Western culture is through the works of the great Classical Philosopher Aristotle. He was a great advocate of the stone, and stated that owning an emerald increased the owner’s importance in presence and speech during business, gave victory in trouble and comforted and soothed eyesight. He believed that wearing an emerald around the neck or emerald rings could prevent epilepsy and recommended parents to give the gem to their children. Ideas on the emerald, like many of Greece’s beliefs and teachings, were taken by the Romans and incorporated into their society. During the Roman Empire, it was believed that staring at emeralds could soothe tired eyes, and even the Roman Emperor Nero apparently watched gladiator fights through a large emerald stone as he found the color to be calming. The Romans also believed emeralds to lift depression, reduce stress, encourage mental clarity and ward off evil spirits. Green was also the color of Venus, the Roman Goddess of love and beauty.
Although the emeralds found in Egypt and the Roman Empire were stunningly beautiful, they paled in comparison to emeralds found in South America revered by the Aztec and Incan Empires. In the sixteenth century the Spanish Conquistadors conquered South America, making violence a new chapter in the history of the emerald. When Hernando Cortez and his invaders began their exploration of the New World they discovered the dominance of the emerald stone in the culture of the people; the native Indians wore emeralds unlike the world had ever seen. The main emerald mine in Muzo, Columbia, after decades of conflict and struggle, was eventually taken over by the Spanish colonisers. The hoard of gems then mined from Muzo were sent back to Europe and the Old World and were made into amazing emerald rings, jewelry and crowns by the monarchs and ruling classes of Europe, India, Persia and Turkey. Legend has it that Cortez tried to bring home huge emerald stones, some in the shape of flowers and fish and one even the size of a man’s palm. The ship however was shipwrecked and the precious stones were lost forever.
most famous emeralds in the world
For centuries the Indian nation has appreciated the emerald as it was believed to bring good luck. One of the most exquisite of all Indian artefacts is the Mogul Emerald, dating from 1695. The rectangular cut tablet is 10cm in height and weighs and unbelievable 217.8 carats. Inscribed with Islamic script and prayer on one side, the reverse is adorned with a spectacular floral carving design of a rosette surrounded by poppies. The Emerald itself is thought to have been mined in Columbia and most likely arrived in India through trade routes. The astonishing Emerald was sold to an anonymous buyer in 2001 for a staggering $2.2 million. There are many examples of stunning emerald rings, necklaces and several other renowned pieces of jewelry originating in India, including the Seringapatam Jewels, the Chalk Emerald and the amazing Mountbatten Bandeau.
In modern times, many celebrities have famously worn and been given emerald rings and emerald jewelry. The beautiful Grace Kelly was given a 12 carat emerald cut diamond engagement ring from her future husband Prince Rainier. One of the most amazing collections of emerald rings and jewelry is that of Elizabeth Taylor, given to her by her twice husband Richard Burton. He gave her an emerald and diamond brooch as an engagement present which she wore with the emerald necklace he gave her as a wedding present. Earrings, a bracelet and emerald rings with diamonds followed. Some of the rings in Taylor’s collection were from the Grand Duchess Vladimir in Russia. It may be a coincidence but historically, lovers wore emerald rings to learn the truth of their loved one’s intentions!
emerald rings today
Emeralds have had an interesting legacy of ferocity, romance and mysticism; and our collection of emerald rings combine this remarkable history with the style and passion of our Irish designers. Emerald cut rings and even emerald rings for men are becoming increasingly popular around the world ensuring a new chapter in the history of this beautiful precious stone. The rarity of clear, vivid green emeralds ensures the lasting value of these breath-taking gems, which are actually more precious than diamonds. So when choosing emerald rings remember the incredible history behind one of the world’s most treasured gems.
