Need Advice With Vintage Ring

I'm not an emerald expert at all. But, the first link you posted seems suspiciously cheap. A well made diamond setting alone ought to cost $2k or more, so a nearly 3 carat emerald in that setting ... I don't know, it just seems off to me. I'm also not a fan of the color of that stone and would prefer something more saturated.

One reason that diamonds tend to be the choice for engagement rings is that they are hard and durable and generally stand up to decades of wear. Colored stones can be prone to damage unless you are careful with the ring. If your GF has an active lifestyle and plans to wear the ring 24/7, pretty much any of the green stone options are going to have the potential for damage. See this thread: http://www.pricescope.com/forum/post2930050.html

Here's a discussion with another gentleman looking to buy an emerald engagement ring with some good tips: http://www.pricescope.com/forum/colored-stones/am-i-getting-ripped-off-anybody-with-an-eye-for-emeralds-t158317.html As mentioned in that thread, many people choose to find a stone and then have it set, rather than looking for pre-assembled rings.

You might consider something like a tsavorite garnet (which is a deep green color and usually has better clarity) in as "protected" a setting as possible - probably a halo, possible bezel-set, and low on the finger.

You might also consider vintage rings that have emerald accents to a diamond. This is an example: http://www.langantiques.com/products/item/10-1-4142 (if you were considering it, you might see if a jeweler could shave down the bezel around the center stone a bit). Generally, the art deco style is something to consider.

But back to what you were asking, here are some thoughts:
This is a pretty emerald ring, in budget, but probably quite a bit smaller than you want to go. www.langantiques.com/products/item/30-1-4115
http://www.faycullen.com/products/JJL207R5ED/


ETA: You might also search on Etsy.com, both in the "handmade" and "vintage" categories, for emerald, tsavorite, green sapphire, and tourmaline (typically chrome tourmaline) rings.

Here is a tsavorite and diamond ring that's in budget, though it's not an emerald cut. http://www.langantiques.com/products/item/30-1-4108

You know, you may consider posting in the colored stones forum, too, for more input.

Thanks for the info and the links -- this is very helpful. I also posted this in the Colored-Stones forum to see if I can get some additional thoughts. I've read about emeralds not being the best choice for an engagement ring, and that does concern me. I was hinting around tonight at the idea of something else. She definitely wants something green and really seems to prefer emeralds. I'm going to scout around for some additional options, but it's looking like an emerald might have to be the stone. I like some of the items on Peter Larouche's site (website and ebay listings), but I honestly don't quite know what warrants a good stone. I've read the criteria, but I often feel as though I don't quite know what I'm looking at when I check out these rings. I'd hate to end up with a lemon....

Here are some suggestions for vintagey rings that could incorporate emerald without having emerald as the center stone, for better durability. You would need to ask about pricing with emeralds, but a lot of PSers have worked with this vendor and had good experiences.

http://www.engagementringsdirect.com/art-deco-platinum-milgrain-pid-1065-44.html
http://www.engagementringsdirect.com/vintage-platinum-milgrain-ring-pid-1066-44.html
http://www.engagementringsdirect.com/vintage-platinum-engagement-ring-pid-1083-44.html
http://www.engagementringsdirect.com/art-deco-platinum-ring-pid-1059-44.html

I have no idea on pricing, however.