Emerald or Green Sapphire, Which Gemstone Should I Choose?
When it comes to choosing a gemstone, people often start with a colour in mind. If you're drawn to a vibrant green hue, you might be considering an iconic Emerald or a stunning Green Sapphire. Both gems are beautiful in their own right, but which one is right for you?
While Emeralds are typically the first green gemstone that springs to mind, Green Sapphires are also a fantastic option, known for their durability and beauty. Let's dive into the characteristics and benefits of both gemstones to help you choose your next sparkling heirloom.
Colour and Appearance
Emeralds are known for their vibrant green colour, often described as ‘pure’ green with hints of blue. Their rich colour is often compared to the green of spring - Emeralds are the May birthstone after all! Due to their natural formation, Emeralds typically have wispy feather-like inclusions, known as the ‘jardin’, which are considered part of their character and unique beauty.
For most of us, when we hear ‘Sapphire’ we think of a vivid blue gemstone. However, Sapphires come in a whole rainbow of hues, including our bespoke favourite, green. Green Sapphires range from a light, yellowish colour to a deeper, more muted green. Unlike Emeralds, Green Sapphires tend to have fewer inclusions, offering a more translucent appearance. The colour of Green Sapphires is often more subtle and earthy, perfect for those who prefer a more understated look.
Symbolism and Meaning
Emeralds have long been associated with beauty and power, having been desired since the Egyptian times of Queen Cleopatra, who owned the largest Emerald mine in the world. They are said to represent harmony, love and loyalty, making Emeralds a popular gemstone to symbolise the commitment of an engagement ring.
Sapphires are the September birthstone and are often connected to hope, loyalty and faithfulness. Ancient Greek and Roman civilisations believed that Sapphires attracted good fortune and protected their wearer, making Green Sapphires a cherished gift today, with the gemstone associated with celebrating the 45th wedding anniversary.
Origin and Formation
Emeralds belong to the Beryl family of gemstones, getting their famous green hue from traces of chromium (Cr) and vanadium (V) within their mineral structure. At Fenton, our Emeralds are sustainably sourced from Brazil and Zambia.
Like all Sapphires, Green Sapphires are members of the Corundum family. Their stunning colour comes from the element iron (Fe) which is present at the time of the stone's formation. Our Green Sapphires can be sourced from Australia, Sri Lanka, Thailand and Tanzania, and as Australia and Thailand have a higher mineral iron content, Green Sapphires that originate here are known for having a deeper green colour.
The origin of your gemstone is important, and knowing where it comes from helps us make better choices for the planet and the people involved. Make sure to pick a reputable jeweller that provides a certificate verifying the source of your stone, so, whether you choose an Emerald or Green Sapphire, you can feel good knowing exactly where it came from. As a proud B Corp company, you can ensure traceability at Fenton.
Durability and Care
The Mohs scale of hardness, named after the German mineralogist Friedrich Mohs was introduced in 1812 and acts as the standardised system for measuring the hardness of gemstones. This scale gives us a guide as to which gemstones are suitable for everyday wear, with a hardness of at least 7 on the Mohs scale being the general benchmark.
Being a naturally softer gemstone, Emeralds measure 7.5 on the Mohs scale. Due to their chemical structure, they have some internal fractures, making them more prone to chipping or cracking under impact. However, don’t let this deter you, Emeralds still make a beautiful choice for an engagement ring, they just require a little extra TLC to keep in wonderful condition for years to come.
Top tip: consider a Bezel or Halo setting to give your Emerald ring some extra protection.
If durability is a concern, Green Sapphires may be better for you. Measuring 9 on the Mohs scale, they are the second hardest precious gemstone after Diamonds and is one of the many reasons Green Sapphires are prized for engagement rings and heirloom pieces.
For Emerald lovers with an active lifestyle, it’s a good idea to take off your jewellery before hitting the gym or doing household chores. If this doesn’t sound right for you, a Green Sapphire may be a better fit since it requires less daily maintenance.
Check out our handy care guide for the simplest way to clean your precious gem at home.
Creating your piece
The choice between an Emerald and Green Sapphire ultimately depends on your personal preferences and style. It’s an exciting decision to make and whichever sparkling gemstone you choose, at Fenton we guarantee you the highest quality and a lifetime warranty to ensure your future heirloom will be loved for generations to come.
Find your perfect Emerald piece in our main collection or go bespoke to create a completely unique design. All our Green Sapphires are part of our bespoke service. Simply complete our bespoke enquiry form, and our expert team will be in touch to discuss your ring. We will work with you to select your dream design, provide a rendering for your approval, and then work with our sourcing team to find your beautiful gemstone.
If you’d like to find out more about the differences between Emeralds and Green Sapphires, we’d love to welcome you to our Mayfair showroom to chat through your questions with our team of trained gemologists. We can’t wait to see what gem you pick and please don’t hesitate to contact us via call, email or WhatsApp, and we’ll be delighted to help.
