I never did insist on emerald rings (5,2)

I believe the answer is:

stone me

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'i never did' is the definition.
I can't tell whether this defines the answer.

'insist on emerald rings' is the wordplay.
'rings' indicates the answer is hidden within the clue (in the sense of encircling/enclosing).
'STONE ME!' can be found hidden inside 'insist on emerald'.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for stone me that I've seen before include "Astonished exclamation (colloq.)" , "Crikey!" , "I'm surprised" , "Gracious" , "date might suggest this before eating" .)

I've seen this clue in The Guardian.

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