We may earn revenue from the products available on this page and participate in affiliate programs.

Photography by CODY GUILFOYLE

Scosha Woolridge never intended on becoming the go-to gal for emerald engagement rings. She grew up in Sydney, spent her twenties backpacking through India, Thailand, Central America, and Brazil, and took odd jobs making art, giving massages and painting murals to get by. After settling in New York, where she worked with Lorraine Kirke to open the West Village clothing boutique Geminola (RIP), her innate creative curiosity lead her to design a few pieces of jewelry—just for the helluvit.

“Gold was really cheap back then,” she says. “I had six hundred bucks to my name, so I made a few gold bracelets and sold them at wholesale. People placed orders. I fell into the whole thing by accident.” 
Photography by CODY GUILFOYLE

Ten years later, her eponymous Brooklyn jewelry store (which also carries textiles, beauty products, clothing and pottery) has become a one-stop shop for unconventional brides-to-be looking for textured, earthy emerald engagement rings that are anything but basic. Below, her thoughts on unique engagement rings and all things green.

 
Photography by CODY GUILFOYLE

On Choosing To Work With Emeralds:

“Emeralds are my birthstone. Plus, green reminds me of my mother and grandmother. I love Brazilian diamonds in particular, because they are so luminous. I can’t stand going to big gem shows filled with tons of people. It feels like they’re just mining the earth and selling pieces of the ground. I love finding the perfect Brazilian emerald, but I have to do it my way. The experience of sourcing it has to be like securing a treasure.”

 
Photography by CODY GUILFOYLE

On The First Emerald Engagement Ring She Ever Made:

“I had a 22 carat gold ring that I made ten years ago, when gold was really cheap, and I practiced setting little stones on it by hand. I’m not a trained jeweler, so it took me some time. Then I found this emerald, and decided to set it in traditional prongs on that same band. I thought I would never wear it, but I surprised myself. After a while, I just never took it off.”

 
Photography by CODY GUILFOYLE

On Caring For Emeralds:

“They are the softest precious gem, much more delicate than a sapphire or a ruby. They can chip easily. I always tell my clients to take them off if they’re doing sports or taking a shower or doing the dishes. Not that I follow my own advice, of course!”

On Making Custom Order Wedding Rings:

“My clients are really drawn to the color of the Brazilian emerald. They know now to come to me for this particular stone. There’s an electric luminosity to it; it’s like looking into a clear pond at an eco beach. My advice to them is always to go with something they want to look at every day. And a classic setting is better. You need to love to look at it on your finger.”

 
Photography by CODY GUILFOYLE

Get more ring inspiration:

How to Choose an Engagement Ring Stone That Best Suits Your Style Architecture-Inspired Engagement Rings for the Non-Traditional Bride Non-Traditional Brides, You’ll Love These Edgy Engagement Rings

For more stories like this, sign up here for your daily dose of Domino.