Joden Girl
Baubles, Bling and Emerald Rings
There are four precious stones… diamond, sapphire, ruby and the emerald. Often referred to as the king of jewels, emeralds have been sought after for centuries. In more recent years, there has been an even greater surge in popularity for this deep green gem.
The four “C’s” are the backbone of diamond buying, however many people don’t realize that they’re every bit as critical in colored stones. When applying those four key terms (color, clarity, cut and carat weight) to emeralds, connoisseurs and experts agree that color is the most important factor. The finest stones offer a bluish green to true green hue with vivid saturation – not too dark and yet not too light. In addition, top quality emeralds are highly transparent. Eye visible inclusions are common in emeralds… so, gems without visible inclusions are rare and command high prices. Skilled cutters know exactly the right location and spacing of faceting as well as the perfect depth to bring out the most desirable color while still maintaining the largest possible carat weight.
Emeralds are predicted to be in vogue for engagement rings in 2023. While I can absolutely understand the allure of having a non-traditional betrothal ring, I’m not certain that emerald is the best choice. Measuring a 7.5 on the Moh’s scale, emerald is a hard stone and resists scratching. However, it isn’t tough. In fact, emerald is notoriously brittle… especially those heavily included stones.
Whether it be an engagement ring or an occasional piece – there are some simple steps that can help maintain the condition and beauty of your jewelry. Storing jewelry in separate pouches or compartments in your jewelry box is key. I have a small dish that is a catchall for the pieces I wear every day and a separate larger box for everything else. The first thing I do when I get home from work is take off my jewelry. I avoid wearing it when I am cooking, cleaning or doing daily tasks. It’s also a good idea to NOT wear jewelry when working outside, playing sports or going to the gym.
Fine jewelry should be professionally cleaned and checked twice a year. At Joden, we have two master jewelers on hand nearly every day. With a trained eye, a microscope and a few simple tools, they are able to access your pieces and tell you what (if anything) needs done to keep them in prime condition. Nearly 90% of all emeralds are oil-treated, so they shouldn’t be left to soak in an ultrasonic machine. Emeralds can be gently cleaned with mild soapy water. Outside of your twice yearly check-ups, if you notice an issue with a piece of jewelry, it’s always best to have your jeweler take a look.
The latest addition to our estate department is an emerald lovers dream. Made entirely of platinum, this ring showcases simple clean lines that accentuate the elongated shape of the center set. Set in east/west fashion with four prongs is a 1.55 carat emerald-cut emerald. The saturation and transparency of this emerald are excellent. It’s nestled between four straight baguette diamonds that step down each shoulder. These diamonds have a combined weight of approximately .60 carat. Priced at just $3,750.00, this ring is available on our website. Make it yours today – and maintain it’s beauty with regular visits to Joden!
“You can go to a museum and look, or come to us and touch.”
Written by Carrie Martin
Photos by Dana Jerpe
