Color Me Happy: Colored Gemstones and What They Mean
When it comes to the jewel that sparkles atop your left ring finger, most people immediately think of a diamonds. Diamonds are beautiful, but they aren’t the only gem in the mine. Diamonds are prized for their internal fire (which is created by the intricate network of facets cut into the stone) and hardness. They have become synonymous with love that can withstand the pressure and periods of difficulty all marriages face. However, when thinking about your soon-to-be betrothed, if a diamond doesn’t seem to quite fit the bill, consider some colored gemstone alternatives.
Colored gemstones, like emeralds, rubies, and sapphires, have a magic all their own and will truly stand out from the crowd. Going deeper, colored stones all have legends and mythical, historical, and cultural meanings attached to them. Those elements can be woven into your own love story.
We’ll start with emerald, because it’s summer and the landscape is bursting with lush greens. Emeralds are stunning stones. They are green, varying from a bright grass green to a deep, rich green that has a touch of a blue tint to it. The favorite gem of Cleopatra’s and often attributed to Venus (the Roman goddess of love), the emerald has long been associated with love. While emeralds are not the only gem to claim this association, they take it a little step further and go with “successful love.” I’m not superstitious or anything, but given the option between “love” and “successful love,” I’m going to stack the deck in my favor. Emeralds are said to promote domestic bliss, balance between partners, and contentment, fidelity, and loyalty. I’m not sure about everyone else, but those are all things I associate with a happy and successful marriage. Knowing that my fiancé selected an emerald engagement ring or wedding band would daily remind me that he values those same ideas and wants to build that kind of life with me.
Emeralds have long been given as wedding and engagement jewelry presents. John F. Kennedy gave Jacqueline Bouvier a 2.88 carat emerald ring to mark their engagement. Richard Burton gave Elizabeth Taylor an emerald and diamond brooch for their engagement and followed it up with an emerald necklace on the occasion of their wedding. If receiving emerald engagement or wedding jewelry puts me in the company of Jackie and Liz, this girl isn’t going to complain.
I should warn you though, emeralds aren’t as strong as diamonds. Over time, they are prone to abrasion (think white lines on the facet edges) if they are worn every day. An emerald isn’t the most hardy option for a center stone, but it is stunning as an accent stone. Be aware that these smaller stones will abrade in time too, but if emerald is what you want, girl, get some emeralds in that ring.
Emeralds aren’t your only option for a unique approach to wedding jewelry. Rubies have captured the hearts of many a lover over the centuries. The color red is often associated with a couple of humanity’s most passionate emotions: love and desire. The fiery red of the ruby represents the flames of a couple’s love affair. Rubies have also represented health and wealth since medieval times. Warriors in Myanmar (where rubies have been mined for nearly 1500 years) and India believed rubies made them invincible and at peace with their enemies.
Elizabeth Taylor is widely regarded as somewhat of a jewelry connoisseur, so it shouldn’t surprise you that we’re going back in her jewelry box to talk about the exquisite Cartier ruby and diamond necklace, bracelet, and earrings set that her third husband, Michael Todd, gifted her with. Jessica Simpson, the former pop singer who now helms a fashion and accessory empire, was given a ruby and diamond engagement ring from her husband, Eric Johnson.
Sapphires are another popular colored gemstone choice. Although sapphires come in many colors, like pink, green, red, and yellow, the deep blue sapphire is what comes to most people’s minds when they think of sapphires. Sapphires are believed to impart wisdom, kindness, good judgment, and protection to the wearer. The vibrant blue color also signified the celestial heavens, hope and faith, and spiritual insight. In modern times, sapphires in engagement rings are favored strongly by royalty. The British Royal Family, for example, has a rich history of colored stones, notably sapphires, in wedding jewelry; read more about it here.
Another noteworthy sapphire engagement ring was given to Empress Josephine by Napoleon. The tear drop shaped sapphire and diamond were paired together in a popular setting called “You and Me.”
There is one caveat that bears mentioning with rubies and sapphires; like emeralds, over time, rubies and sapphires will abrade. But, it takes significantly longer for these two stones to abrade. Although not as hard as a diamond, they will stand up to wear and time better than other colored stones, but I would still err on the side of caution and use them as accent and side stones.
The bottom line is this: when shopping for your future fiancé’s engagement ring and wedding band, consider all your options. You may find that a colored stone can impart deeper meaning to your union. Or, for those who opt for diamonds only in the wedding set, don’t underestimate the power of an anniversary band set with colored stones. Your marriage can be represented by a jewel; it’s just a matter of finding the best match…in jewelry that is – you already found your love match.
Colorfully Yours,
Rebecca
Share This Page:
