Emeralds set in a sleek 14K Yellow Gold bezel band. Priced amazingly at $2,400
May, the month that arrives in a rush of lush greens–fresh leaves, longer days, and a sense that, at long last, everything has woken up at once. It’s only fitting that this vibrant month is represented by one of the most captivating gemstones in the world: the effervescent emerald. Known for its rich, velvety color and timeless allure, emeralds have long been a symbol of renewal, love, and a little bit of everyday magic. Whether you enjoy a May birthday yourself or you are shopping for a loved one who was born during this beautiful month, we have a beautiful selection of in-stock emerald jewelry from which you can choose (or we would be delighted to help you design a custom piece featuring this beautiful stone, such as the gorgeous earrings featured in this post!).
Read on for more information about May’s beautiful birthstone, the elegant emerald!
What is an Emerald?
Stunning custom ring designed by Becca for a client, which incorporated diamonds and gemstones, the largest of which is this stunning oval cut emerald
An emerald is a green variety of the mineral beryl (the family that encompasses other familiar gemstones, such as aquamarine and morganite). Ranging in color from a deep, vivid green to a more bluish-green, emeralds command a 7.5-8 on the Moh’s Scale of Hardness. Emeralds are comparably hard stones compared to some, but they must be worn with care as they are quite brittle! Almost all emeralds have internal inclusions, called “jardin” (the French word for garden). An emerald’s unique garden of inclusions can appear to the naked eye like tiny bubbles, cracks, or even like moss inside the stone. Unlike diamonds, flaws in emeralds are actually to be expected, and a perfectly eye-clean emerald is both extremely rare (and suspiciously expensive).
How should I wear my emerald jewelry?
Due to these expected inclusions in the stone, emeralds need to be worn carefully, as they are prone to cracking. Emeralds are relatively hard gemstones, but even something as simple as temperature changes can cause this gemstone to crack. And make sure you never clean your emerald jewelry in an ultrasonic cleaner! Doing so runs the risk of permanently damaging your emerald jewelry. A safer way to clean any piece featuring this gemstone is to use lukewarm water, mild soap, and a soft toothbrush or cloth to clean the stone, and a soft towel to gently dry any moisture once you are finished. Remember: never expose your emerald jewelry to harsh chemicals or steam either! While we always recommend taking your jewelry off whenever you do things like working out, showering, cleaning, gardening–even sleeping, this can damage your prongs!–and especially swimming due to the chlorine, these rules are even more important for emeralds. While emeralds are beautiful stones set in a ring, and many love the look of emeralds set in an engagement ring, it can be a better choice for durability to set an emerald in a necklace or earrings to prevent them from being bumped and damaged (as is easy to do with a ring!). If you have your heart set on an emerald engagement ring, make sure you think carefully about having it set in a more protective setting to preserve the stone, such as a platinum or gold bezel.
A truly breathtaking set of pieces, these emerald and diamond earrings and this matching necklace are embraced in luscious 18K white gold. Priced to sell at $2,800 for the earrings and $3,200 for the necklace, or $6,000 for the set!
Famous emeralds in history and fashion
A beautiful 14K yellow gold estate emerald and diamond bracelet that we worked with Santa to surprise a lucky lady with this past Christmas
Emeralds have been a coveted gemstone for treasured pieces of jewelry for thousands of years. Famous individuals from Ancient times, such as Cleopatra, adored emeralds, and even Biblical texts reference both the physical use of emeralds (the Book of Exodus), and visions of the way emeralds are used in Heaven (Revelation 21:19). The Ancient Romans associated the color green with peace and rest, and they even believed that looking at emeralds after reading for a long period could rest the eyes. In the Middle Ages, emeralds were prized for more than just their beauty–they were used in church treasures as well as royal regalia.
The emerald trade exploded as a result of the Spanish conquest of the Muisca Confederation in approximately 1537-1540, which unearthed rich emerald deposits in what is now Columbia. The Columbian emerald mines produced emeralds that were clearer, bigger, and more intensely green than the lower-quality emeralds sourced from other locations prior to this discovery. In the 16th-18th centuries, emeralds exploded in popularity among the royal courts in Europe and beyond, and in the 20th Century, Hollywood celebrities such as Elizabeth Taylor were hugely responsible for emerald’s increasing popularity. The British Royal Family has one of the most impressive and spectacular collections of natural emeralds in the world, and members of the royal family will occasionally wear emerald statement pieces for special events and occasions.
Final Thoughts
As we celebrate the start of May, emeralds remain the perfect reminder of all that this month represents: renewal, growth, and the quiet luxury of nature in full bloom. Their rich green glow feels both timeless and deeply personal, making them more than just a gemstone, but a reflection of life’s most meaningful moments.
Whether chosen as a birthstone gift, or a signature piece to mark a special occasion, emerald jewelry carries a sense of elegance that never fades with the season. We look forward to discussing your vision with you when you stop in to visit us–whether you want to create a fully bespoke piece that features this glorious gem, or you fall in love with one of our in-stock emerald pieces, we can’t wait to help you choose the perfect new piece that will bring you joy for generations to come.